How do you know when to yell v. when to encourage their creativity

I just vacuumed last night right b4 bed around 11pm and then came down first thing with baby brother to find that big sis had used life cereal crumbs and dust as "sprinkles" to decorate her imaginary bday cake she was making aka my living room coffee table and rug! Mind you I should explain that I'm not a creative imaginative person at all. Definite type A boring serious lawyer type so even though I'm who she's stuck staying at home with I'm not the fun parent and I hate housework so I despise that she spends all her time creating messes though I know I should try to view it positively b/c she thinks it's decorating my house (she's been on this kick ever since we "decorated" for the holidays) so every inch of my house needs to be decorated with her toys. Can't seem to make a 3 yr old understand that this is not the same!

Re: How do you know when to yell v. when to encourage their creativity

that is not yell worthy, IMHO

I would say "nice cake sweetie, now can you help mommy clean it up?"

my dd LOVES to "help" me clean (sweep, vacuum, etc)

Re: How do you know when to yell v. when to encourage their creativity

Awww, it's really sweet in a way, though I can't say I mind the messes so much when they are done in a kind or creative spirit and the child just doesn't understand that they have annoyed you. But yes, I would just ask for help cleaning it up and maybe suggest a better place for her to do this next time, like on a plate.

Message edited 1/8/2010 3:19:52 PM.

Re: How do you know when to yell v. when to encourage their creativity

I would tell her how lovely her cake was, and then show her how the vacuum worked.

So that would peak her interest in Art and Science!!!

Re: How do you know when to yell v. when to encourage their creativity

I go through the SAME thing with my DD. She is 3 and a half and would rather cut a piece of paper into 50 pieces and glue it to the refrigerator then play with her toys . I try not to yell at her too much because I don't want to squash her creativity. But its hard not to and it drives me nuts! I try to have her help me clean up and then she gets mad if I throw anything out.

Re: How do you know when to yell v. when to encourage their creativity

We have one of those creative types at home too. She doesn't understand why I don't find paint all over my dinner room table "Pretty". It took a while but she knows now that art projects are to remain on paper.

Re: How do you know when to yell v. when to encourage their creativity

Honestly, I am all for crafts...but I probably would have yelled.

Re: How do you know when to yell v. when to encourage their creativity

Re: How do you know when to yell v. when to encourage their creativity

I am a total neat freak - but that would have made me

Destroying something is one thing, but that can easily be cleaned up -

Re: How do you know when to yell v. when to encourage their creativity

Posted by cantbelieveit

I go through the SAME thing with my DD. She is 3 and a half and would rather cut a piece of paper into 50 pieces and glue it to the refrigerator then play with her toys . I try not to yell at her too much because I don't want to squash her creativity. But its hard not to and it drives me nuts! I try to have her help me clean up and then she gets mad if I throw anything out.