[email protected]

In a message dated 3/22/04 3:09:14 PM, bstamp@... writes:

<< We are talking about an 18 month old.lol. So yes we too have lots of
paper. This isn't about searching out wall-space. It's about learning what's
considered acceptable. I'm just trying to understand how others do it without always
resorting to the "NO" word.:-) >>

Keep all the pens up. But he's two days older now than when you first asked,
and will be a month older next month, so the discussion about how to enable
kids to do what they want to do is still a good one for you and already was
good for others reading.

Here's something Joyce wrote about saying yes a while back:

http://sandradodd.com/joyce/yes


Sandra

arcarpenter2003

--- In [email protected], SandraDodd@a... wrote:
>
> Here's something Joyce wrote about saying yes a while back:
>
> http://sandradodd.com/joyce/yes


Oh, thank you for capturing this gem, Sandra. I had just started
reading this list when Joyce posted that, and it rocked my world. I
just saved it to my Favorites, to look at when I forget.

Peace,
Amy

arcarpenter2003

> In a message dated 3/22/04 3:09:14 PM, bstamp@c... writes:
>
> << We are talking about an 18 month old.lol. So yes we too have
lots of
> paper. This isn't about searching out wall-space. It's about
learning what's
> considered acceptable.

In the spirit of saying yes, yes, yes, what about an upright
chalkboard or dry erase easel? What about painting a section of a
basement wall with that chalkboard paint? Is there any exposed
drywall or plywood that your child could color on and you could paint
on later? Or any wall that you can paint a dark color later and you
can let them color right on the paint? How about painting some
boards that they can color?

Will they lend their colorful painted handprints to a section of the
wall or a board that you'd like to decorate? Then they're helping
make something that you all think is pretty.

On this particular issue, you get to make the call on what's
acceptable. Finding creative solutions will be very acceptable as
they grow older -- and you will have helped them learn that skill.

Peace,
Amy

Julie Bogart

>
> > In a message dated 3/22/04 3:09:14 PM, bstamp@c... writes:
> >
> > << We are talking about an 18 month old.lol. So yes we too have
> lots of
> > paper. This isn't about searching out wall-space. It's about
> learning what's
> > considered acceptable.

>
> Will they lend their colorful painted handprints to a section of the
> wall or a board that you'd like to decorate? Then they're helping
> make something that you all think is pretty.
>
> On this particular issue, you get to make the call on what's
> acceptable. Finding creative solutions will be very acceptable as
> they grow older -- and you will have helped them learn that skill.


I loved all your answers Amy. I wanted to add one suggestion from a friend of mine. She
lets her kids draw on their bedroom walls. They can write messages, song lyrics or draw
pictures. I wish I had known that when I had toddlers! There's no reason they can't write
on the walls of a bedroom as little ones and then just paint over it when they are older. My
kids all have that freedom and only one has taken me up on it.

We heard Missie Elliot (female rapper) say at an awards ceremony: Thank you Mom for
letting me write so many poems and lyrics on my bedroom walls growing up. :)

Confirmed for me the value of letting our kids create the space that works for them, even
when they are small...

Julie