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An Intentional mess

By Carly

There is nothing in the whole world like peace and quiet. Everything is better. Food Tastes better, the outside is more enjoyable. Life is just better when there is no screaming, whining, and fighting going on in the background of our life. Obviously noise is a given with children and many of their noises are the best in the world. Little laughs, cooing, baby snores and sneezes Even toots, those don’t really stay cute for too long though, especially when they come from my husband. But the whining, screaming, yelling, and shouting from my children is never ever enjoyable.


To cure some of this sanity stopping noise I have been known a time or two To  let my kids make a mess (shocking I know!) Some times cleaning it up later is worth the 15 sometimes 20 minutes of peace and quiet that I can get! I do this when they are little and curious and when emptying things and exploring  makes them happy and content.


It is not like I let them empty the entire contents of the fridge and start painting with the condiments using only their toes. For instance, this picture is of a mess that gave me about 10 minutes of sanity. It is a bunch of craft puff ball things (can’t remember the actual name, craft puff ball things is close enough!)

Am I teaching my children that messes are ok? I don’t think so, I think this mess was actually good for my 16 month’s old artistic side She loved emptying them one by one looking at the colors examining them with her little fingers (with me close by making sure she did not mistake any for candy). I think it actually ended up being a true  work of art!


How long did it take me to clean it up? Maybe 1 minute with a broom. SO worth extra peace I received!

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Carly is a contributing writer for Mommy Moment. She has 3 very dramatic but beautiful girls ages 7, 4, and 1. Carly loves to write, cook, and connect with other moms through this crazy thing called blogging! See what she has been up to over at www.livingthescream.com

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Montessori For Learning

Saturday 14th of August 2010

I was guilty of the same thing with tissues. When both my daughters were toddlers, they loved to pull tissues out of the box and "decorate" the living room, and kitchen with them. They absolutely loved this and would easily spend 10-20 minutes on this activity. For 99 cents and a quick 2 minute clean-up... I'm like you... it was worth it once in a while.

Jackie H.

Friday 13th of August 2010

I gave my son these "puffs" and an empty apple juice jar. He spent AN HOUR putting them into an apple juice jar one by one and then dumping them out. He was probably 18 months at the time. He is 2 now and still likes to play "balls" from time to time.

~j.

Thursday 12th of August 2010

It's ABSOLUTELY worth it. And like you said, it didn't take that much time to clean it all up. Win-win-win.

alissa4illustration

Thursday 12th of August 2010

My work was going to throw away a box full of sea shells. I said, "No I'll take them." My two year old loves dumping them on the ground, picking them up again and again.

Kate

Thursday 12th of August 2010

That is a great idea! I really do need to learn to loosen up and let my kids have fun making some messes. If it buys peace and quiet time, why not??