We are sitting at the computer, my almost six year old daughter and me. She is typing another book she created, this one about her Elf on the Shelf, Smiling Max. On the cover, under the pen name she created for herself ("Megan Grace Annie"- only one of those is her actual name), she asks me to type the following:
"Megan is an author and illustrator. She loves to write books. She’s a kindergartener who is always inspired." We print out the book and she goes off to color it, adding new illustrations to the Google images we imported while she typed. And I just love everything about this. I love that she believes that she is an author and an illustrator. No second guesses about not being a good enough writer or artist- she IS these things. I love that she loves it- that writing brings her joy and it is her favorite activity. I love that she is always inspired. How beautiful to live in a way where you are constantly inspired by ideas? Is it weird to want to be more like your daughter when you grow up?
12 Comments
Lynn Grainger
3/3/2019 03:43:53 am
Absolutely love this piece! It brought me back to my daughter being that young and confident. Thanks for the images through your words.
Reply
Erika Victor
3/3/2019 04:21:35 am
I often find myself inspired by my sons and their confidence. In the end isn't that what we want as we raise our children, that they feel valued and able to be who they want to be. I love her work as an author!
Reply
3/3/2019 04:26:44 am
I love how much we can learn from our kids and their approach to the world. They do not carry the baggage we do and these moments invite us to set down those bags and walk with fresh eyes and open hearts. Kudos to you for noticing the gifts your children have brought to your life. I love this!
Reply
3/3/2019 04:45:30 am
This is so inspiring and lovely, Kathleen! The innocence of childhood translates to unabashed confidence and self-belief...something we all wish we could hang onto as we get older. Your economic writing here works beautifully. Thanks for sharing this moment!
Reply
Megan Watson
3/3/2019 06:53:00 am
Your daughter is an inspiration to us all! The confidence, the creativity, and the purely honest descriptions- I just love everything about this self-proclaimed author and illustrator. You’re doing something right, mama, by raising a confident young boss girl! :)
Reply
fran
3/3/2019 10:26:07 am
So not weird to want that Kindergarten spirit!
Reply
Joanne C Toft
3/3/2019 12:16:07 pm
Oh what fun to write together - to share this time and to see her confidence in her work. Thanks for sharing.
Reply
Kelsey corter
3/3/2019 12:40:09 pm
I adore that she has created a pen name for herself! You are something special, Megan. I hope you always stay always-inspired. Your last line made me smile! Thanks for sharing Megan’s story with us!
Reply
3/3/2019 04:41:09 pm
Interesting that we set our own terms in many ways as children, then cede the privilege to others when we grow up. I, too, wish to be more like Megan.
Reply
3/3/2019 05:41:30 pm
I love the confidence of children. You say you want to be more like her, but she is confident because of all the love and support she gets from you! We should all be more like your daughter--and maybe that is what these daily slices are all about. We DO have something to say, in spite of that inner critic. Be more like your daughter--and keep helping her be all she can be! Love this post!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorKathleen Neagle Sokolowski Archives
February 2024
Categories |