Comments on: learning to crawl.

By: jennifer mazzucco

jennifer mazzucco — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:24:00 +0000

sounds like you do have it all… including gratitude. peace, jennifer

By: Sabbio

Sabbio — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:44:29 +0000

Your post is full of wisdom, your questions as well as the crawling conclusion.

I’ve been through the same questions and hard times trying to struggle for time. And after I had one of these horrible weeks when you want and need to finish a piece (it was several months ago now) I realized that “struggling” for time, doing several things in the same time but not totally with my children, not totally into my art, was frustrating and taking negative energy… that is when I realized I needed clear spaces for my art and that when my children were around I just have to let their energy flow.

It is less tiring and frustrating AND now I am taking my art “windows” whenever they come : during my baby nap, when I wake up really early in the morning (for that purpose)… these are my art spaces but I am not really planning them because when things don’t happen as planned this is where negativity installs itself.

From that time I’ve been more serene because I know there will always be a time when my children are asleep or really busy ; I’m just waiting for my space window to open and the balance is there, by itself.

And when I have a really urgent piece or a lot of them to finish in little time I’m looking for alternative solutions (like this summer my husband went with my daughter at his mum’s and I stayed with our baby boy… I could work when he slept,just one child to care for… when I had finished my paintings we +went with them)

I hope you will find your peaceful solution Jenny. I am sure you will :)

By: Amy

Amy — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:18:30 +0000

Hey Jenny – I know your post resonates with lots of moms, those that are creative and trying to work at home and those that have to leave home to return to work – I can share a slice of wisdom from my (ahummm) years. Looking back, it really is the blink of an eye, though at the time it felt like forever. Life is generous and long with so much time to juggle both – so many opportunities. As the developments speed up so does the independence and your time starts to reappear unannounced. It is continuously changing. Then all of a sudden they are packing their bags and moving out. I said this before, it is by far the sweetest surrender. Finding your balance will most likely remain a somewhat fluid state – I love your honesty and wisdom. And your openess.

By: Katherine Dunn

Katherine Dunn — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:34:13 +0000

Hey mama – nice , honest post. Now that I’m the ripe age of 51+, I’ve seen a lot of women in my life go through this. Some less gracefully than others. But You have a wonderful attitude- and an openess to adjusting, versus fighting it like some seem to do. I chose not to have children, long ago, because I knew I could not do both, and it just didn’t want kids. The farm and animals are my ‘baby – that-will -never-grow-old” so I have somewhat similar issues. But children, especially as they grow, are different, I know.I think it’s important for women who are thinking of children though to think of these things, and hear from others like yourself, or non- moms too, like me.

By: coloredsock

coloredsock — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 04:42:25 +0000

thanks so much for sharing that Jill. that helps! you mean you are human after all? i was beginning to think you were from far far away and possessed super powers. i know you work so hard. and i think you are so right. my balance will be what i choose to make of it. i guess i’m still figuring out what i’d like that to look like. we hope to see you, too. i’ll be in touch!

By: coloredsock

coloredsock — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 04:19:20 +0000

thanks again sperlygirl. it helps to know you and so many other artist mamas are out there. i’ll check out that book. there is a similar saying in ancient ayurvedic texts: “There is nothing in the universe that is non-medicinal and cannot be made use of for many purposes and by many modes.” — Vagbhata, Ashtanga Hrdayam

By: Jill

Jill — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:41:40 +0000

This is why I haven’t yet taken you up on your kind offer of discussing how I find a balance. (what looks like so easily) It’s not easy! My sweet husband is with our son each day while I work. There both at the studio but I realize I’m missing out on things I don’t want to miss out on. I also have two designers to help so I can keep up with the work load & have a weekend with my precious family. Balance is what you make of it.
Having a little one is a new awareness of how you use your time. At least for me. Hope we get to see you when your in KC. Your book will be beautiful! (you have all sorts of new inspiration)

By: Jenn

Jenn — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:18:26 +0000

I just love your blog, and hearing about your lovely little family!

By: sperlygirl

sperlygirl — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:56:43 +0000

yes, yes, yes — that is what motherhood is (to me) ‘learning to crawl’. it’s powerful, sometimes frustrating, totally blissful all wrapped up in one sweet little package. and i keep coming back to this from the book Buddhism for Mothers “the whole world is medicine” and an opportunity for growth. and then i love this tune too…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n90DdcoLgw
hang in there!
warmly,
s