Art and conversation: Creating deeper bonds with your kids and grandkids

Want to develop deeper bonds with your kids? Sometimes art can be a great springboard to conversation and a better understanding between parents and children, or to help build the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren.

Last week I had the privilege of one-on-one time with a Storygalorey friend whose grandma purchased a private art lesson for him. He was visiting from another area of the world, and one way they've connected is through Drawing for Kids online art and stories. What a wonderful time we had! It was fun to get to know him and his story a little bit. It was amazing to watch this child enjoy art plus special attention from his mom and grandma. It was a special art date with them.

As our kids were growing up, we tried to take them on dates on a fairly regular basis to give them individual attention. Back then, I wish I'd thought of taking them on a creativity date instead of the expedient McDonalds! We wanted them to feel seen and to know they were loved in our large and busy family. But sometimes I would be sitting across the table at McDonald's, (Please don't judge us--I know it was unhealthy!) looking at my beloved child, weary on a Saturday with our date sandwiched between soccer games and birthday parties, and I just couldn't think of a thing to ask to draw them out! 
Asking kids questions is an important way for them to feel seen and loved, that they matter. Take some time this week to open up a conversation with your kids or grandkids. It could be around the dinner table with everybody, or it could be while you are doing an art project, after reading a story, or on a special one-on-one date.  Doing something creative or reading a story is a great way to start a conversation. We tend to let our guard down while eating or drawing or doodling. And while you are asking questions, you are really saying, "Your life matters to me. I am interested in you. I love you."

Here are a few questions to get the conversation started:

1. How did you make that artwork/invention/creation you showed me?

2. I see you are doing/making/trying/reading about____________. Tell me about it.  What gave you the idea? Or, which character do you most relate to? Which character do you most want to be like? Which character do you dislike and why?

3. I noticed you are especially interested in _________ right now. What else are you interested in....? 

4. Where is one of your favorite places in our house? Why?

5. Where is one of your favorite places to be anywhere? Why? 

6. What do you wish others knew about you?

7. If you could have one wish, what would it be?

8.I see you are reading about____________. Tell me about the story.  (Or, if you are reading aloud, just go right to these questions.) Which character do you most relate to? Which character do you most want to be like? Which character do you dislike and why?

9. If you could ask God one question, what would it be?

10. If you could visit one famous person in history, who would you visit and what would you ask him or her?

Sometimes, the people and the stories that are most important are the people that are closest to you!

Enriching kids' lives through stories and art,

Jennifer

P.S. Want to read a grown-up book? A book along these lines that I've been reading which was recommended both by my friend, Shirley, and our pastor, is How to Get to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others and Being Deeply Seen by David Brooks. (Amazon affiliate link-no extra cost to you if you click, but you help support Storygalorey-thank you!)