Trying to be a good parent ... the crafty way! #1

Having three children has been a shock to my system! I am constantly sleep deprived and exhausted and trying to remain enthusiastic and supportive is difficult with three very different girls!  Not that I am moaning, just setting the scene for my emotional state over the last year or so.  In short it has been difficult but I seem to be making a few breakthroughs and parenting is becoming more enjoyable!!

Now I won't go into all the joys of parenthood the constant demands for food, nappies, food, playing oh and did I mention food? There are many people who blog many times over how hard or easy parenting is, how they have reached a breakthrough and now have a model child or how they have decided it is alright to hate being a parent etc etc etc.  My blog was never designed for that, first and formost it is crafty related!  (you can all a sigh in relief now!)

So in true crafty form I thought I would share with you a few things I have done with or for my kiddies which has in one way or another enriched our lives and made parenting a little more fun!

First up I wanted to share my 'Look what we have done' wall (I still need to work on the name!)

I realised that dinner times could sometimes go a bit quiet as conversation died down a bit so I started to hang a few pictures on the wall to put the children's work in.  This also meant that I didn't have random paintings scattered round the house!

The wall behind the dining table was a little .... boring!

So i started to add a few frames.  These ones were cheap black framed ones from the Range, nothing fancy at all.

 

After I had put up all the frames I wanted I then masking taped around the edge and set about with the chalkboard paint to make the frame.  I started with a solid frame but then added a wavy outer edge.  Lastly I used a permanent marker and started to doodle round the edge of the frame.  From a distance it looks fab but when you look closely you can read all sorts of encouraging words and phrases.

Now at dinner time we have lots to chat about especially as there is always something new popping up on the wall!  I love the fact the girl have a place to show off their achievements.  Currently the wall contains notes of praise and certificates, photos, fun art and even the babies first hand print art!  So lots to see.

Oh and it looks a bit grand and funky! Much more exciting that that boring old wall!

Next time I will show you some calming down resources we made!

until next time.

Jen xx

I will of course be popping by to Handmade Monday and sharing my little post.