Super 8

The other day while the kids were at school, I watched 'Super 8.' It's a film directed by JJ Abrams and produced by Steven Speilberg. The story is about a group of kids who are shooting a zombie movie and happen to film something that they had no idea of the importance of. One of the dvd add ons is a documentary about how Abrams, Speilberg and others grew up making movies with friends. As I watched it I was jumping out of my skin knowing how much Jack would get out of seeing these charasmatic men talk about their love of film making. At 3:30 I picked up J+K from school. Once home, Kitty settled in at the computer watching 'Futurama' and Jack and I watched 'Super 8.' I snuck glances at Jack and could tell he was really in to it. After it was over he left the room to go and find his Flip camera so he could start filming.
There is nothing more satisfying to me than participating in my childrens' passions. Finding a book, answering questions, offering my viewpoint, finding sources, gathering the necessary tools and supplies... and most of all... getting out of their way so they can figure it out for themselves. Before I had J+K I knew one of the key parenting stances I wanted to have was honoring my childrens' passions. There really is a magic to childhood... to learning things for the first time. To be able to let yourself be totally immersed in what is at hand and be swallowed up by it. Their journey is a journey for me as well. It is also a study in patience as J+K use my studio all the time. I'll go to cut fabric and find my worktable is covered in crayons, drawings, sculpy clay in little clumps, books and sharpies. I'll tell the kids I'm annoyed and that if they want to continue to use the studio they will need to respect the space, their materials and leave the work surfaces clean. Silently, though, I'm so happy to see them creating and feeling free to experiment.
I love you Jack and Kitty!