Drawing Conclusions

A few months ago I was starting to get worried because Noah refused to draw saying he wasn't "good at it". But recently he has begun drawing again with more enthusiasm. His favorite "medium" right now is the magnadoodle. I think he likes how things can be changed so quickly. He has been requesting that I photograph images before he erases them. Here are two of his recent drawings:

Jellyfish
American Flag

His resistance to drawing got me thinking about how much I "wanted" him to draw because that was something I loved to do as a child. It has been interesting to see how having children has brought out a nostalgic desire for my children to experience and love the same things I did as a child. I think the whole art thing has added weight with my family history as if it should just be a normal part of his genetic make-up. One of my favorite parenting books is "Young at Art" (if you are a parent or a teacher and haven't read this yet...run to your nearest library!). I revisited that book, got advice from my parents,made plenty of supplies available and waited.And surprise, surprise without my pressure or "desire" he has returned to drawing. It shouldn't be a surprise to me, but it did make me stop and think. Before having kids I think we all have pre-conceived ideas of what those children will be like and also what we will be like as parents, but then reality happens. I don't know if Noah will have the same love of drawing or Adam's gift for singing but I sure hope I can see Noah for who he is and not just that image in my head. And I really hope I don't turn into one of those insane soccer moms! or even worse one of those pageant moms in "Little Miss Sunshine" (there should be more parenting movies like that)!