Yes to mess!

I've been reading this really great blog lately. The writer is a photographer/mom-of-four living in Oklahoma. She talks about how messes drive her crazy but she posts photos of her boys playing in giant dirt piles, splashing in the rain, and playing in mud puddles. I can relate with the messes-driving-her-crazy part, but reading it I feel convicted about not doing things because they're too messy. Part of being a kid is that it's fun making messes and getting into things, right? I'm not saying I should abandon my inclination towards tidiness altogether, but if it's harmless fun, my children have a great time, and it's something that can be cleaned up, then maybe I should let them do it. So in that spirit, last week I decided to let Finn try doing watercolors while Maggie worked on her own painting. If you know Maggie at all you know she loves art projects, but so often I've said no to art projects because I know Finn will want to get into everything and, you guessed it, make a mess. I'm starting to see that really it's laziness on my part. Anyway, Maggie had a great time, Finn had a great time (and I actually love his painting), and yes, a mess was made. But I think it was definitely worth it to let Finn's synapses fire with a new experience and I even think it's good for me to have to stretch myself a little. And later that day I even let him "help" wash dishes, another activity I previously have said no to.