The Worst Thing My Grandson Could Say to Me Became a Teaching Moment
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
My grandson said six words that nearly broke my heart.
“Nonna, I don't like painting anymore.”
“What? Why don’t you like to paint, Axel?”
“It’s okay, Nonna. It’s just because I’m six now. Maybe when I’m older, I’ll like it again.”
“I don’t believe it, Axel. We always love to paint together, so maybe we are just a little out of practice. I bet if we get back into the studio, you’ll like it again.”
Every week I dedicate one day to Axel. He calls them “Nonna Days,” and they have become a staple in our lives over the past two years. However, this year, with my fifty countries agenda, I’ve been gone a good portion of the time. We still meet weekly via Zoom, but perhaps these meetings only served as a reminder that we weren’t together like before.
Since I’ve been home, we’ve been enjoying our original routine, but I didn’t push him to do any painting with me. That is until this past week. It was pouring rain on Nonna Day, and we couldn’t really do our usual park day and picnic. We had exhausted our time in the studio doing puzzles (which I loathe but am trying to like because he loves them), making food, reading books, doing obstacle courses, etc. He got paid a few bucks for helping me clean the studio and get ready for classes.
So I set out some canvases and said, “Axel, let’s paint!”
“Nonna, you know I don’t like painting anymore.”
“Well, on Nonna Days we usually do what you like to do. For instance, Nonna did puzzles with you even though I don’t really like them. So today is about compromise. We both do a little of what we want together.”
He conceded, and we set up our easels and paints and I laid out our subject. It was a complicated painting with lots of layers, and he promptly told me, “Nonna, I don’t know how to make a peacock.”
I reassured him that we would do it together. Over the next hour and a half, he was so focused and engrossed in his painting that we both forgot about the time. At one point, he looked over at mine and sadly said, “Nonna, I think I’m going to cry. Your painting is way better than mine.”
“When you’re creating something, Axel, you shouldn’t compare it to others’ work. Tell me, do you like how your painting is going?”
“I really like all of the colors I chose.”
“Wonderful! You should focus on that! If you must compare, let’s take a look at what you did today and contrast it with some of your past paintings.” I pulled some of his old stuff out so he could look. He had grown a lot in his abilities. I continued, “Remember, Axel, that we don't compare ourselves to others. We stay in our lane, and that way we can see our own progress and celebrate our individual growth.”
He seemed pretty satisfied with this answer, and so we carried on. He loved learning how to mix the colors and choosing which ones to use in creating his design. In the end, he had a fantastic peacock that he was really proud of.
Later, Emily called me to tell me that Axel wanted her to greet Dad with this shouted phrase: “Axel made a peacock today with Nonna at her studio!” They have since found the perfect place to hang his precious painting.
Axel likes creating again. Whew! That was a close one!
Making art isn’t just about making art. It is a powerful tool for learning and growing. Kids greatly benefit from experiencing this process. I love it when they smile proudly at their final piece or when I hear a kid from our Art Van-Go classes say, “Art day is my favorite day of the week.”
Our camps are filling up fast, and hopefully your kiddo won't miss out on an epic time of creating. Also, we have a spanking-good early bird special right now, so get registered before the summer gets away from you.
I can’t wait to create with your child this summer and see some of that same excitement I experienced with Axel.
Let’s make something beautiful!
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