We recently had our first family camping trip at Cape Henlopen State Park. My husband and I used to go camping many years ago when we lived in South Africa and we couldn’t wait to share this experience with them for the first time. The boys were so excited to sleep in a tent and sleeping bags. We adored watching them explore and try something new.

Our interests influence our children

We have been wondering if Owen and Carson’s interest in camping will continue into adulthood. As my kids are growing I am realising more and more how our own interests and hobbies influence our children and their world. It may be your love of music, cooking, exercise or cars. Maybe your passion for art, sports or recycling. It’s all a part of their world because it’s a part of yours.

I have been holding on to my first digital camera, Canon PowerShot A540, for a while now. Owen has shown a great interest in taking his own photos. I wonder if this is because we litteraly have taken thousands of photos of both Owen and Carson or maybe because he sees it being a part of his world. He watches us enjoy taking photos and being passionate about photography. Or maybe this is his destiny and ultimately he would always be inclined to look through a lens and snapshot his world.

During a quiet moment on the beach, while Carson played with Daddy near the water, I gave Owen his new camera. This was one of those special moments. You know, the ones you hold between your hand and heart. One of those moments that you hope you will always be able to return to and remember every detail – his joy, excitement and appreciation. Through watery eyes and a new reason to smile I watched as he looked through the viewfinder, watched as he found focus.

Maybe this will be your passion or maybe this will be something you enjoy for a while before you find something new. For now while you express interest I will teach you all I can and at the same time learn with you. We will discover new together. Perhaps when Carson is older you will be the one to share and teach.

These are a few of Owen’s photographs

What are your interests?

What are you passionate about?

What are your hobbies?

Maybe it’s on the shelf, on hold for a while. Maybe it’s in the garage collecting dust, maybe it’s in the corner of the room waiting for your rediscovery. Everyday you see it and say tomorrow I will find time. This is not a judgement as I too left my passion on the shelf, with the greatest of intentions of finding time.

After becoming a parent I barely had time to brush my hair. I couldn’t imagine allocating time for hobbies. Somehow over time I found a way to make time. I changed my mindset and realised that a little each day or week goes a long way. I mostly make time at night after the boys are in bed. There are still days when I can’t even find the hairbrush but I strive to keep the shelf clear, to keep exploring and learning.

Make time to indulge in your passion

Make time to rediscover your interests or your hobby. Not only will it benefit you, as you are making time to do something you enjoy but your children will also benefit. Take the opportunity to teach, learn, share and create together.

Remember that your passion may not be theirs but while you share yours you help them to discover their own interests, likes and dislikes etc. Ultimately we are giving them tools for life to try and explore, practice and share.

Thoughts on how to help your kids develop interests and hobbies

1. Facilitate discovery

Help your kids choose a topic/hobby by helping them to discover new things

⁃ Share your hobby or interest with your children

⁃ Find new ones together

⁃ Give them the opportunity to explore new things to find their own interests

2. Harness interest

Help your kids learn about their chosen topic/hobby

– Teach them what you know

– Show them how find information through resources like books, a local library, museums etc.

– Take them to related events like a sports game, music festival etc.

3. Nurture passion

Practice makes perfect as the saying goes

⁃ Continue to explore interests together

– Make time to practice

– Offer lcontinued support and advice

I hope that my boys will discover their own passions, one or many. I hope they will nourish their creativity. And as we help them along the way we will continue to learn and discover.

This has been a long blog post, possibly the longest one I have written. If you are still with me, thanks for reading. I couldn’t finish of this post without a poem, something I am passionate about.

Discover new and learn about you

We’ll tell you tales of discovery,

Share interests and journeys

Soon enough you’ll

Begin your own

With tools to discover

Go find and enquire

Learn and grow

Try and wonder

Discover new,

Learn about you

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Happy page turning and hobby sharing x

©️Lisa Moralee McLardy