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Compiled & Practiced by Jennifer Stay … an artist and a mom

As a mom, it is important to not only nurture a love of art and creativity in our kids, but also in ourselves. Creativity helps us function better in almost every part of our lives. Coloring is a powerful creative tool. It has been used for decades by adults for stress relief and coping with pain. It is an art form that uses tools that we are all familiar with. Once we let go of any great expectations for the end product, we can find as much joy and bliss as a 4 year old with a bucket of crayons.

This is how I color as a Mom:

1. Timing is Everything

It’s an old cliche, but it has never been more true…timing IS everything. Between diapering babies, helping kids with homework, making school lunches, attending PTA meetings, and getting the laundry done, there is very little personal time left each day. Each creative moment is a precious escape. There are two ways that I make coloring a part of each day. First, schedule a time for coloring and make it a priority. I love to color in the evening after everyone is in bed and I am watching a little TV or listening to an audio book. Second, look for unexpected opportunities to color. I have a travel coloring kit that goes with me everywhere and if I find myself waiting for a child in a parking lot, or sitting in a doctor’s waiting room, I pull out my kit and make the most of these moments. Try reaching for your coloring kit instead of your smart phone!

2. A Place for All Things Creative

Keeping my home organized with a very busy family is a daily battle, BUT…there is one area of my life that is ALWAYS organized…my art supplies. Partly because it is my work, but mostly because it is my passion and my bliss. If you want to make coloring part of your daily routine, you will need to create a place for your new passion. This can be as simple as a shoe box on a shelf (so little hands can’t get into it), or as complicated as an entire desk with drawers full of colored pencils and gel pens. Either way, keep your supplies handy so when the timing is right you won’t waste any time hunting for your clipboard or wondering where your pencil sharpener went.

3. Little Creative Helpers

When my kids were little, I used to call them my “little shadows”. I couldn’t even use the bathroom or fold the laundry without them being right at my side. Even now that they are older, they seem to gravitate to whatever room I am in and they are always curious about what project I am working on. It is inevitable that when you bring out your coloring supplies, your children will want to “help”. I have a special coloring kit assembled for my kids (and nieces & nephews) depending on their skills and interests. The kit contains a set of less expensive colored pencils and washable markers, a stack of printed coloring pages that they are interested in, and a clilpboard. It is so rewarding to sit side by side and share a few blissful coloring moments. I ask them about their day, what their favorite color is, and how their picture makes them feel. I praise them for every squiggle, and show them how I am learning to shade the flower petals with 3 colors instead of 2. Somedays (I admit) I’d rather be coloring alone, but I wouldn’t trade these blissful moments for anything.

4. Be Bold and Have Fun!

In school and work, so much emphasis is put on the end result and achieving perfection. Of course there is a time and place for this, but coloring for relaxation and stress relief is not one of them. Learn to relax into the artwork and ignore your inner critic. This is not the time to over-analyze light and contrast, color balance, or whether you stayed inside the lines. Enjoy the smell of your crayons, and the way the paper feels under your pen. Try a color pallette you wouldn’t normally choose, or a set of pens with glitter in it. While you are having fun, don’t forget to share your work with your kids so they can see you learning a new talent. Put your art on the fridge next to their art work. Your kids will love it, and you will be teaching them a valuable lesson about being proud of trying new things.

5. Connect With Other Colorists

Coloring for adults may feel like a new hobby, but it has been around for decades. Fortunately for all of us, because of the new found love of this beautiful art, there are more artists and colorists picking up pens and pencils then ever before. It is an exciting time to be coloring! Join a local coloring group…many are meeting at libraries and coffee shops to color together. Join an online coloring group…there are groups on all social media platforms where colorists share their art and tips with each other. Follow and support the artists that you like…most of them are on social media and they love to hear from you. Some artists have websites, newsletters, and are even holding coloring contests with prizes! It is a great community to connect with, so have fun!

Give it a Try!

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