Jessica Klauzer-Zimmerman on tue 1 feb 00
I was wondering if any of you moms and dads out there
had any advice about keeping your hands in clay with a
new baby to take care of. I am due to have my first
child in March and am concerned about not being able
to continue working, for it is truly an important part
of my life. Also, and in general, how do we maintain
our sense of identity as people while morphing into
good parents? I really find a sense of grounding and
happiness after a day in the studio, and during my
pregnancy I have had to give it up temporarily, but
really want to get back into the studio as soon as I
am able (and baby is willing to accompany me). Any
and all advice would be greatly appreciated . . .
especially if you do your best to assuage my fears
about this whole thing!!! :)
jessica
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger.
http://im.yahoo.com
Virginia Scotchie on wed 2 feb 00
------------------
Dear Jessica,
Hi=21
I am a mother of three children, 13,9 and 3. Two boys and the middle child =
is a
girl.
Here are some suggestions to keep your studio time going:
Hire a babysitter to come to your home two to three hours a day. Usually a
highschool or college student will babysit for 5 dollars an hour.
Work in the studio when the baby is napping. One of the intercome devises =
about
30.00 dollars is a must=21=21
Then you can hear the baby when she wakes up.
Work at night.
Take turns making dinner with your partner. Split all duties concerning the =
baby
and household stuff with them.
Sketch all the time.
Babies do well in the studios if you have good ventilation. Playpens work. =
Music
and lots of moving toys.
The first couple of months it is best to just enjoy the baby. You need the =
rest
too=21 Having a baby is a big deal so remember to take good care of =
yourself. You
could bring some clay into the house and make pinch pots, sculpture simple
things to keep your hands in clay. Who knows, a whole new body of work could
come out of this.
Being a mother is a great joy. I wouldn't trade it for 40 hours a week in =
the
studio. Babies grow up Fast=21=21=21 Enjoy it by taking it easy for awile =
and takin
care of yourself. My three year old is in a daycare at our church and loves =
it.
As your child gets older, maybe one, they love being with other kids. Oh, =
and
remember, it is O.K. to sleep with your baby. All of ours have slept with us=
and
it is a very warm and comforting experience. It makes breast feeding much =
easier
tool
fFeel freee to email me personaly if you have any questions=21
Congradulations=21
Virginia Scotchie
scotchiev=40sc.edu or
scotchiev=40gwm.sc.edu
Charles G Hughes on wed 2 feb 00
As a dad it took me 6 months to get back into the studio WITH my son, I
carried him around in a backpack with legs and just stood the thing where he
could see me and it worked out fine. By age 4 he would carefully perch on my
back while I was trimming and watch my every move. The first 6 months his
mom and I were on split shift baby duty, fighting over who got studio time.
-Charles
----- Original Message -----
From: Jessica Klauzer-Zimmerman
To:
Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2000 2:23 PM
Subject: babies and the studio
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I was wondering if any of you moms and dads out there
> had any advice about keeping your hands in clay with a
> new baby to take care of. I am due to have my first
> child in March and am concerned about not being able
> to continue working, for it is truly an important part
> of my life. Also, and in general, how do we maintain
> our sense of identity as people while morphing into
> good parents? I really find a sense of grounding and
> happiness after a day in the studio, and during my
> pregnancy I have had to give it up temporarily, but
> really want to get back into the studio as soon as I
> am able (and baby is willing to accompany me). Any
> and all advice would be greatly appreciated . . .
> especially if you do your best to assuage my fears
> about this whole thing!!! :)
>
> jessica
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger.
> http://im.yahoo.com
Anita & Nick Feng on wed 2 feb 00
Well here's a question I feel capable of responding to! I was a full-time
potter for about ten years before my first child was born (now he's 17).
When the first one came along, once his schedule became predictable for
naps, I'd set up a monitor in his room and go out to the studio to work
until he woke up. This worked to keep my hand in clay, although I was
exhausted most of the time. When he was a toddler, I had a set-up on a
bottom shelf that he could "work" at (just had to keep an eye on when the
clay wanted to go in his mouth), while I worked on the top shelf. He loved
working with me for bits of time. I did have to quit altogether when there
were two babies for a while. But then, when they got to be school age, they
could be involved in all parts of the process.
Most of all I would encourage you to continue to do what you love. Even if
it has to be in a fragmented, part-time way. Both you and your child will
be better off for it. And later on, your work in clay will be an
inspiration to that child.
Anita Feng (who has just finished a book on that subject)
Issaquah, WA
----- Original Message -----
From: Jessica Klauzer-Zimmerman
To:
Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2000 11:23 AM
Subject: babies and the studio
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I was wondering if any of you moms and dads out there
> had any advice about keeping your hands in clay with a
> new baby to take care of. I am due to have my first
> child in March and am concerned about not being able
> to continue working, for it is truly an important part
> of my life. Also, and in general, how do we maintain
> our sense of identity as people while morphing into
> good parents? I really find a sense of grounding and
> happiness after a day in the studio, and during my
> pregnancy I have had to give it up temporarily, but
> really want to get back into the studio as soon as I
> am able (and baby is willing to accompany me). Any
> and all advice would be greatly appreciated . . .
> especially if you do your best to assuage my fears
> about this whole thing!!! :)
>
> jessica
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger.
> http://im.yahoo.com
>
Anita Rickenberg on wed 2 feb 00
The part of your question concerning handling clay with a baby should not be
a problem. When you mention the baby accompanying you, however, I started
twitching. Babies can get into things incredibly fast, and there are too
many opportunites to count in a studio. Both chemicals and sharp objects.
In a "child-proofed" house I made a couple calls to the poison control
hotline while my son was in the investigative stage. Do you have a way to
share baby-sitting with someone else while you're in the studio? It would
probably be far more enjoyable for both you and your baby.
Anita
----- Original Message -----
From: Jessica Klauzer-Zimmerman
To:
Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2000 2:23 PM
Subject: babies and the studio
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I was wondering if any of you moms and dads out there
> had any advice about keeping your hands in clay with a
> new baby to take care of. I am due to have my first
> child in March and am concerned about not being able
> to continue working, for it is truly an important part
> of my life. Also, and in general, how do we maintain
> our sense of identity as people while morphing into
> good parents? I really find a sense of grounding and
> happiness after a day in the studio, and during my
> pregnancy I have had to give it up temporarily, but
> really want to get back into the studio as soon as I
> am able (and baby is willing to accompany me). Any
> and all advice would be greatly appreciated . . .
> especially if you do your best to assuage my fears
> about this whole thing!!! :)
>
> jessica
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger.
> http://im.yahoo.com
Pottery by Dai on wed 2 feb 00
Hi, Jessica - Boy, I wouldn't want to have my baby in the studio, knowing
what we now know about silica dust, etc. Those tiny little new lungs will
be so vulnerable to dust, toxins, etc. I would also be very careful with
things like studio clothing---being sure to remove smocks, etc. before
attending to baby after having been in the studio. It doesn't matter how
careful we are, our studio clothing still harbours clay dust, chemical dust,
etc. I think your best bet is to try to have someone come in to care for
baby while you do studio time, or do it in the evening if there's someone
else in the house (spouse?); or if your studio is part of the house, have a
baby monitor in the studio so you can listen while baby's napping.
This is a moot point, however, as you'll probably be so tired for the first
while, you won't even be able to think about pottery! But, really, the
thought of a baby in the studio gives me nightmares. Just my 2 cents worth
(Canadian---so that's about 1.25 cents worth)......
Dai in Kelowna, B.C.
-----Original Message-----
From: Jessica Klauzer-Zimmerman
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Date: Wednesday, February 02, 2000 2:35 AM
Subject: babies and the studio
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
I was wondering if any of you moms and dads out there
had any advice about keeping your hands in clay with a
new baby to take care of. I am due to have my first
child in March and am concerned about not being able
to continue working, for it is truly an important part
of my life. Also, and in general, how do we maintain
our sense of identity as people while morphing into
good parents? I really find a sense of grounding and
happiness after a day in the studio, and during my
pregnancy I have had to give it up temporarily, but
really want to get back into the studio as soon as I
am able (and baby is willing to accompany me). Any
and all advice would be greatly appreciated . . .
especially if you do your best to assuage my fears
about this whole thing!!! :)
jessica
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger.
http://im.yahoo.com
Nina Jones on wed 2 feb 00
------------------
Hi, jessica.
Did you get Ceramics Monthly's January issue? On p. 67 there is a ceramic
sculpture by Jean Nunez Donegan entitled =22Portrait of the Artist as Mom,
Nightmare Sequence.=22 I am the woman on top of that laundry basket.
Family is a blessing and children are a never-ending source of joy and =
delight.
I have two, a boy and a girl, and I cherish every moment with them. Then
there's that other thing. The =22artist=22 or =22potter=22 or whatever term=
you're
comfortable with. That inner child of creativity, that part of yourself =
that is
truly only free in the employment of your art and your craft. That is a =
selfish
child, just as biological children are naturally selfish (self-preservative
instinct). They give so much joy and love and you must give so much love =
and
care. And your time.
Time spent with your children in the studio is simply not the same as time =
spent
in the studio with your art. Because they need time and they need attention=
and
they need to know that they are more important to Mommy than the clay. You =
can
only prove that by laying down the clay and picking up the child. But, =
truly,
it's worth it=3B because clay gets better as it grows older, left all alone,=
but
children grow better with your love. And your time.
You won't have to give up your art, but you will have to give up some of =
your
studio time, even with baby in the studio with you (I know you'll take all =
the
safety precautions necessary). Children can be a source of inspiration and =
even
the frustration can be instrumental in improving your work in that pain =
yields a
refinement of creativity.
Congratulations and God Bless.
Nina D. Jones
Southside Chicago
=40 njones=40winston.com
=3E=3E=3E Jessica Klauzer-Zimmerman =3Cjklauzer=40yahoo.com=3E 02/01/00 =
01:23PM =3E=3E=3E
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
I was wondering if any of you moms and dads out there
had any advice about keeping your hands in clay with a
new baby to take care of. I am due to have my first
child in March and am concerned about not being able
to continue working, for it is truly an important part
of my life. Also, and in general, how do we maintain
our sense of identity as people while morphing into
good parents? I really find a sense of grounding and
happiness after a day in the studio, and during my
pregnancy I have had to give it up temporarily, but
really want to get back into the studio as soon as I
am able (and baby is willing to accompany me). Any
and all advice would be greatly appreciated . . .
especially if you do your best to assuage my fears
about this whole thing=21=21=21 :)
jessica
=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F==
5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F
Do You Yahoo=21?
Talk to your friends online with Yahoo=21 Messenger.
http://im.yahoo.com
Teresa Speakman on wed 2 feb 00
hi jessica, I have six kids aged 6-20 and I can assuredly say that kids are
at home with clay. I don't know your situation but normally there would be
no reason for you to give up working with clay, while pregnant, even during
labour if that is what relaxes you. My only caution is to be extra careful
with chemicals. If you are worried about toxins, fin d a good simple clay
body and work with it, like burnishing. I say anything healthy for the
mother is healthy for the baby. Babies can accompany you anywhere; they're
better than dogs, for you can take them into stores and studios. Give 'em a
place to sleep, and a breast when they cry and you're all set! Don't worry
about having to wash your hands before picking them up, they don't mind.
Take it easy! -Teresa
> From: Jessica Klauzer-Zimmerman
> Reply-To: Ceramic Arts Discussion List
> Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2000 14:23:02 EST
> To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
> Subject: babies and the studio
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I was wondering if any of you moms and dads out there
> had any advice about keeping your hands in clay with a
> new baby to take care of. I am due to have my first
> child in March and am concerned about not being able
> to continue working, for it is truly an important part
> of my life. Also, and in general, how do we maintain
> our sense of identity as people while morphing into
> good parents? I really find a sense of grounding and
> happiness after a day in the studio, and during my
> pregnancy I have had to give it up temporarily, but
> really want to get back into the studio as soon as I
> am able (and baby is willing to accompany me). Any
> and all advice would be greatly appreciated . . .
> especially if you do your best to assuage my fears
> about this whole thing!!! :)
>
> jessica
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger.
> http://im.yahoo.com
>
Carolyn Nygren Curran on wed 2 feb 00
Hi Jessica, Those of us who have been both potters and mothers will
hopefully post some ideas which will be useful to you. My experience is a
bit different in that I first had 2 boys 16 months apart --and then another
boy 10 years after that. I only started in pottery when the oldest kids
were 3 and 4...and I did a lot of handbuilding on the kitchen counter at
that point. I never did have much relief from kid sitting, but I
discovered that I was happiest doing physical and creative things
(gardening, artsy craftsy things, hiking in the woods, fishing, swimming)
along with the kids. If we had had a good baby sitter in the neighborhood
at that point, I would have had more studio time, and day care was not an
option at that point. Our middle son went to a nursery school for a year
or two, but that was for his benefit, not mine, since there was never
enough time for really getting into pottery during those short two hours or
so. But I was just a real novice then -teaching myself pottery and
glazing skills with a $15 test kiln, a Brent kick wheel and a lot of books
from the library - and I was relatively patient about waiting for them to
reach school age. If I had it to do all over again, I would try my best
to arrange at least one full day of pottery each week away from the kids.
Small blocks of time are not conducive to really getting into it... (On
the other hand, just look at the many folk potters who have been mothers at
the same time - and mothers without babysitters, yet. They may not have
been wheelthrowing potters, but their handbuilding creations have often
been superb.)
Finally they were both in school. The cafeteria was crowded and only
working mothers were allowed to have their kids stay there for lunch.
Although I was working at pottery at home, I explained to the principal
that I really needed a longer block of time, and so the kids were
permitted to eat lunch at school. That helped a lot!
Then along came Bill. It was like having two separate families in a way,
and I was also pretty much a full time potter by that time. This time
around I started out with Bill in a play group run by a nice gal in town.
He went there at least once a week, sometimes 4 or 5 days when I was busy
with orders, etc. Before that, I used to put his portacrib down in the
studio and do what I could at the wheel while entertaining him with
peekaboos and songs and all sorts of diversions. I also was introduced to
the world of miniatures at a craft show, and since I already liked small
scale, I ended up doing miniatures professionally. While I don't recommend
that to everyone, it worked for me. Small scale work is another way to go
when you have a growing family unless you are already established as a
potter with a particular line of pottery, etc. Ceramic jewelry is
another small scale possibility which is a valid extension of the potter's
craft. (I don't know what you are doing now in the way of pottery, so I
can't talk specifically.)
Good luck on combining motherhood and potterhood, and I'm here any time
to offer encouragement...just an E mail away. Carolyn, aka CNC
The Brinks on wed 2 feb 00
At 02:23 PM 2/1/00 EST, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I was wondering if any of you moms and dads out there
>had any advice about keeping your hands in clay with a
>new baby to take care of. I am due to have my first
>child in March and am concerned about not being able
>to continue working, for it is truly an important part
>of my life. Also, and in general, how do we maintain
>our sense of identity as people while morphing into
>good parents? I really find a sense of grounding and
>happiness after a day in the studio, and during my
>pregnancy I have had to give it up temporarily, but
>really want to get back into the studio as soon as I
>am able (and baby is willing to accompany me). Any
>and all advice would be greatly appreciated . . .
>especially if you do your best to assuage my fears
>about this whole thing!!! :)
>
>jessica
>___________
Hi Jessica...since I started with clay after my youngest child was out of
high school, I'll leave it to others to respond to that part of your post,
but regarding maintaining your sense of identity while morphing into a good
parent- well, that's something every parent has to juggle, not just
potters. Actually, your identity WILL change; it will have the additional
aspect or attribute of parenthood added to it. I do recall, though,
during the years when my three children were small and most time-consuming,
I made it a point to think of myself not as a Mother first, who also is a
wife, paints, does this & that, etc, etc, but as a Person who is a wife,
mother, paints, does this & that, etc. It helped keep me "together" when
I felt pulled several directions. The painting helped too (hadn't
discovered pottery yet".
All the best,
Ann Brink in CA
_______________________________________
>Do You Yahoo!?
>Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger.
>http://im.yahoo.com
>
>
e-mail billann@impulse.net
Cindy Strnad on wed 2 feb 00
Jessica,
Taking care of a new baby is a *lot* of work. There's just no way around
it. Maybe you'd consider leaving her with a sitter for one day a week, or
whatever works for you. Infants' lungs are extremely sensitive and should
not be exposed to excessive clay dust or other toxins in-so-far as it is
possible to avoid this. That doesn't mean your baby can't be in your
studio--just something to guard against.
Unless you have a very quiet baby, I don't think you're going to find it
pleasant to work with her in your studio, nor is she likely to enjoy it. Put
a monitor in her room, and work away while she's sleeping--that is, if your
studio is at home. Otherwise, maybe fix her up a special room in the studio
and do the same thing there. I'm trying to imagine a baby in an infant seat,
perched on the table in my studio, and I just can't feel real good about the
picture.
Take up hand building or small sculpture, and work in the kitchen or dining
room. Work while the baby's papa plays with her. If you can stay awake, that
is.
Most of all, remember that your little one will be among your greatest
treasures. You only get to experience this once per child, so enjoy it
rather than pining away for those things you find you have to put on hold
for a while. It doesn't last forever--I guarantee it.
Cindy Strnad
earthenv@gwtc.net
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
Jennifer Boyer on wed 2 feb 00
Hi Jessica,
You have the same name as my 23 year old daughter. I also have a
15 year old son. I was a potter and had a studio before becoming
pregnant with Jess. I worked in my studio through both
pregnancies with no trouble and have had my studio full time for
26 years. But: A pottery studio is no place for a baby. For one
thing you only have about 7 months when a baby sort of stays
where you put her. Then locomotion takes over and all is lost.
The baby will want to be where you are: sees you, wants you, and
your tools, and you pots. SO it would be frustrating to try to
work when there is a little being who demands your attention.
Amazing how they know when your attention isn't on them, and
demand it back. Then there are the health risks of the studio.
Dust, toxic materials. Baby lungs don't need to be exposed to
that. Do yourself a favor and consider finding a daycare
provider NOW. Good ones have waiting lists. I like in home ones
where someone is caring for 4 or 5 kids. Babies benefit from a
varied environment, other kids, other adults to trust....I
started with 3 mornings(3 hour) a week when my kids were 3
months old. Of course there will be saints out there who had the
patience to deal with a studio AND kids at home, but I really
don't see how I(impatient, easily flustered) could have kept my
business going doing that. Your baby will be better off for
having a contented Mom who hasn't given up an important part of
her life. Really.
Take Care
Jennifer. HELP: I can't jump off this soap box! It's too high!!!
Jessica Klauzer-Zimmerman wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I was wondering if any of you moms and dads out there
> had any advice about keeping your hands in clay with a
> new baby to take care of. I am due to have my first
> child in March and am concerned about not being able
> to continue working, for it is truly an important part
> of my life. Also, and in general, how do we maintain
> our sense of identity as people while morphing into
> good parents? I really find a sense of grounding and
> happiness after a day in the studio, and during my
> pregnancy I have had to give it up temporarily, but
> really want to get back into the studio as soon as I
> am able (and baby is willing to accompany me). Any
> and all advice would be greatly appreciated . . .
> especially if you do your best to assuage my fears
> about this whole thing!!! :)
>
> jessica
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger.
> http://im.yahoo.com
--
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jennifer Boyer jfboyer@sover.net
Thistle Hill Pottery
Vermont USA
http://www.vermontcrafts.com/members/ThistleHill.html
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Lois Ruben Aronow on wed 2 feb 00
I didn't become a full-time potter until *after* I had my son. For me, the
first 6 months after his birth were spent adjusting to our new life with
him.
When he was about 8 months old, I got a sitter 2 days a week, just so I
could get my life organized. I started a weekly pottery class again
(something I had been doing for about 5 years). OK. Fast forward 2 years.
My sitter is now full-time, I have my own studio space, and am on the verge
of really getting my work out there.
To Isaac, both parents work. Daddy goes to the office, and Mommy goes to
the studio. (Are you going to get dirty, Mommy? he always asks).
The great thing is, I am home with him part of the morning, and get myself
home about 4ish, so he and I have dinner together and play and stuff. I am
the most fortunate person I know, because I get to do everything I love.
I don't bring my son to the studio when I'm working, because I don't feel
I'd be able to adequately watch him. I don't want him touching other
people's work. Right now I don't feel like I can watch him and work at the
same time. When I do bring him in, I never let him in the basement, where
we keep the kilns and the chems. I know other potters who say their kids
played at their feet while they were in the studio, but I can't do it. If
the sitter or my husband brings him by, it's a welcome break, and we play
with clay for a little while. The irony is my son HATES to have his hands
dirty.
> I was wondering if any of you moms and dads out there
> had any advice about keeping your hands in clay with a
> new baby to take care of. I am due to have my first
> child in March and am concerned about not being able
> to continue working, for it is truly an important part
> of my life. Also, and in general, how do we maintain
> our sense of identity as people while morphing into
> good parents? I really find a sense of grounding and
> happiness after a day in the studio, and during my
> pregnancy I have had to give it up temporarily, but
> really want to get back into the studio as soon as I
> am able (and baby is willing to accompany me). Any
> and all advice would be greatly appreciated . . .
> especially if you do your best to assuage my fears
> about this whole thing!!! :)
>
> jessica
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger.
> http://im.yahoo.com
Don & Isao Morrill on wed 2 feb 00
At 17:08 2/2/00 EST, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Jessica,
>
>Taking care of a new baby is a *lot* of work. There's just no way around
>it. Maybe you'd consider leaving her with a sitter for one day a week, or
>whatever works for you. Infants' lungs are extremely sensitive and should
>not be exposed to excessive clay dust or other toxins in-so-far as it is
>possible to avoid this. That doesn't mean your baby can't be in your
>studio--just something to guard against.
>
>Unless you have a very quiet baby, I don't think you're going to find it
>pleasant to work with her in your studio, nor is she likely to enjoy it. Put
>a monitor in her room, and work away while she's sleeping--that is, if your
>studio is at home. Otherwise, maybe fix her up a special room in the studio
>and do the same thing there. I'm trying to imagine a baby in an infant seat,
>perched on the table in my studio, and I just can't feel real good about the
>picture.
>
>Take up hand building or small sculpture, and work in the kitchen or dining
>room. Work while the baby's papa plays with her. If you can stay awake, that
>is.
>
>Most of all, remember that your little one will be among your greatest
>treasures. You only get to experience this once per child, so enjoy it
>rather than pining away for those things you find you have to put on hold
>for a while. It doesn't last forever--I guarantee it.
>
>Cindy Strnad
>earthenv@gwtc.net
>Earthen Vessels Pottery
>RR 1, Box 51
>Custer, SD 57730
>
However,Jessica, Raising children is no work at all....only a
matter of how much time you wish to devote to forming children and clay.
Both our sons are now in their 20's.Both were raised as studio babies.
Neither appears to have suffered greatly. one continues to attend
university,majoring in languages.The second son lives by himself in Nova
Scotia and is a skilled person. Both have traveled extensively. We have
known other children in similar circumstances and all appear to be healthy
if not wealthy. don't deprive your child of the experience of living
closely with you and be prepared to let them fly when they feel ready. All
the best, Isao & Don
Don & Isao Sanami Morrill
e-Mail:
Don & Isao Morrill on thu 3 feb 00
At 16:40 2/2/00 EST, Anita & Nick Feng wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Well here's a question I feel capable of responding to! I was a full-time
>potter for about ten years before my first child was born (now he's 17).
>When the first one came along, once his schedule became predictable for
>naps, I'd set up a monitor in his room and go out to the studio to work
>until he woke up. This worked to keep my hand in clay, although I was
>exhausted most of the time. When he was a toddler, I had a set-up on a
>bottom shelf that he could "work" at (just had to keep an eye on when the
>clay wanted to go in his mouth), while I worked on the top shelf. He loved
>working with me for bits of time. I did have to quit altogether when there
>were two babies for a while. But then, when they got to be school age, they
>could be involved in all parts of the process.
>
>Most of all I would encourage you to continue to do what you love. Even if
>it has to be in a fragmented, part-time way. Both you and your child will
>be better off for it. And later on, your work in clay will be an
>inspiration to that child.
>
>Anita Feng (who has just finished a book on that subject)
>Issaquah, WA
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Jessica Klauzer-Zimmerman
>To:
>Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2000 11:23 AM
>Subject: babies and the studio
>
>
>> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>> I was wondering if any of you moms and dads out there
>> had any advice about keeping your hands in clay with a
>> new baby to take care of. I am due to have my first
>> child in March and am concerned about not being able
>> to continue working, for it is truly an important part
>> of my life. Also, and in general, how do we maintain
>> our sense of identity as people while morphing into
>> good parents? I really find a sense of grounding and
>> happiness after a day in the studio, and during my
>> pregnancy I have had to give it up temporarily, but
>> really want to get back into the studio as soon as I
>> am able (and baby is willing to accompany me). Any
>> and all advice would be greatly appreciated . . .
>> especially if you do your best to assuage my fears
>> about this whole thing!!! :)
>>
>> jessica
>> __________________________________________________
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>> Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger.
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>>
>Hooray for Anita Fung!!
Love 'em and work with them. What is this
"creativity"...."child in me", crap? Think of yourself...Is your studio
dangerous for you? It will be dangerous for your children. Can you not
reject toxic substances...or place them out of reach? Close your studio
after selling everything and take up knitting.(Using only? Wool sheds
toxins as well as cotton...certainly leather. Papers....dyes...inks.)
Doesn't leave much,does it ? Isao & Don M.
Don & Isao Sanami Morrill
e-Mail:
Nikki Simmons on thu 3 feb 00
I have think the responses so far have had good advice (On both extremes).
So let me give you the perspective as someone who is going through this
right now... (I have a one year old)
I have not even piddled downstairs since the summer of 98. When I was
pregnant I was put on complete and total laying down bedrest, blah blah
blah, (turned out to be a misdiagnosis). So I couldn't go down in the
basement and I literally became a vegetable. When I found out I was off
bedrest, I had troubling sitting -- especially at the wheel.
So I foolishly said to another potter, I will do clay while the baby sleeps.
She just laughed, little did I know that I would be sleeping right along
with her. As she has gotten older, I no longer nap with her, but she takes
only a one hour nap a day. That is barely enough time to wedge clay, so I
have chosen to use that time to read something besides "Dinosaur Roar".
I could have started back into working with clay several months ago but
working with clay is just that -work- (enjoyable work though). And taking
care of a baby is work (often much more enjoyable than making pots-Who would
have thought that was possible?). I didn't feel like I could do them both,
because I tend to immerse myself in whatever I am doing. I decided that the
whole reason I stayed home was to be with the baby. So she and I are
hanging out and having a blast, as the clay ages gracefully waiting for my
return.
However, my mom comes over 1 day a week so that I can teach an adult
education class. (Translate-make some extra cash and have conversations with
adults) And Wednesday nights I sing in a community choir so my husband can
have some baby time (and I get even more adult conversation). These
excursions could be spent doing clay but I find I need more stimulation than
being alone while being hypnotized by the spinning wheelhead.
My husband would love to get more daddy only time and send me down to the
basement but he works 60+ hour weeks. Now that she is old enough to
entertain herself for short stretches of time, I am hoping to at least go
downstairs and start practicing my standard shapes. I know I must be
horribly rusty. And it should be very educational for her. I am not going
to take any orders or commit to any sales. But if I do make some keepers,
it will be a bonus.
Nikki in Missouri
Rob Sanders on fri 4 feb 00
Don't miss this important time with your kids. They grow up fast and you'll
treasure every moment you spent with them while they are young. And they'll
remember it, too. Another tip: When they're demanding your attention, it
is best to give them the attention first for a few minutes, then they will
be satisfied and leave you alone to concentrate on whatever else you must
do. If you put them off till "later" they'll fuss and you can't work
anyway. My first interest in Tom Coleman was due to his wonderful book in
which he dealt with being a parent and a potter, "The Mudpie Dilemma".
----- Original Message -----
From: Virginia Scotchie
To:
Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2000 3:37 PM
Subject: Re: babies and the studio
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> ------------------
> Dear Jessica,
> Hi!
> I am a mother of three children, 13,9 and 3. Two boys and the middle child
is a
> girl.
> Here are some suggestions to keep your studio time going:
>
> Hire a babysitter to come to your home two to three hours a day. Usually a
> highschool or college student will babysit for 5 dollars an hour.
>
> Work in the studio when the baby is napping. One of the intercome devises
about
> 30.00 dollars is a must!!
> Then you can hear the baby when she wakes up.
>
> Work at night.
>
> Take turns making dinner with your partner. Split all duties concerning
the baby
> and household stuff with them.
>
> Sketch all the time.
>
> Babies do well in the studios if you have good ventilation. Playpens work.
Music
> and lots of moving toys.
>
> The first couple of months it is best to just enjoy the baby. You need the
rest
> too! Having a baby is a big deal so remember to take good care of
yourself. You
> could bring some clay into the house and make pinch pots, sculpture simple
> things to keep your hands in clay. Who knows, a whole new body of work
could
> come out of this.
>
> Being a mother is a great joy. I wouldn't trade it for 40 hours a week in
the
> studio. Babies grow up Fast!!! Enjoy it by taking it easy for awile and
takin
> care of yourself. My three year old is in a daycare at our church and
loves it.
> As your child gets older, maybe one, they love being with other kids. Oh,
and
> remember, it is O.K. to sleep with your baby. All of ours have slept with
us and
> it is a very warm and comforting experience. It makes breast feeding much
easier
> tool
> fFeel freee to email me personaly if you have any questions!
> Congradulations!
> Virginia Scotchie
> scotchiev@sc.edu or
> scotchiev@gwm.sc.edu
Tasha Olive on fri 4 feb 00
Having no small babies now I had managed to pass over this thread until I
saw Nikki's post...now I must reply. My first child was born when I was
still fairly young and silly, still growing up myself, and I thought I still
had to accomplish so many things for my own self. Besides, we had that
preached to us often in those days. I like to refer to that period of time
as the selfish seventies. That child was 14 before I became aware that it
usually does people more good to be doing for others than focusing so much
on oneself. I went on to have two more children. They range in age from 27
to 13 to 11. My oldest never got the time and attention I afforded to the 2
youngest. He is a good boy , doing well for himself with a lovely wife,
however, in trying times I still think of the times we missed, and pray that
it doesn't hurt him as much as it does me. I had learned my lesson that
childhood is a VERY fleeting thing in time for the last two so my claywork
was and still is done when the kids are otherwise occupied, ( sports,school,
friends). Sorry, I've gone on so long, I just hope that no one ever makes
the mistake of thinking that there is sooooo much time for you to do with
your children...there isn't. They grow way to fast and then there is plenty
of time to do the things that we were supposedly missing. Tasha
-----Original Message-----
From: Nikki Simmons
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Date: Thursday, February 03, 2000 11:19 AM
Subject: Re: babies and the studio
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I have think the responses so far have had good advice (On both extremes).
>So let me give you the perspective as someone who is going through this
>right now... (I have a one year old)
>
>I have not even piddled downstairs since the summer of 98. When I was
>pregnant I was put on complete and total laying down bedrest, blah blah
>blah, (turned out to be a misdiagnosis). So I couldn't go down in the
>basement and I literally became a vegetable. When I found out I was off
>bedrest, I had troubling sitting -- especially at the wheel.
>
>So I foolishly said to another potter, I will do clay while the baby
sleeps.
>She just laughed, little did I know that I would be sleeping right along
>with her. As she has gotten older, I no longer nap with her, but she takes
>only a one hour nap a day. That is barely enough time to wedge clay, so I
>have chosen to use that time to read something besides "Dinosaur Roar".
>
>I could have started back into working with clay several months ago but
>working with clay is just that -work- (enjoyable work though). And taking
>care of a baby is work (often much more enjoyable than making pots-Who
would
>have thought that was possible?). I didn't feel like I could do them both,
>because I tend to immerse myself in whatever I am doing. I decided that
the
>whole reason I stayed home was to be with the baby. So she and I are
>hanging out and having a blast, as the clay ages gracefully waiting for my
>return.
>
>However, my mom comes over 1 day a week so that I can teach an adult
>education class. (Translate-make some extra cash and have conversations
with
>adults) And Wednesday nights I sing in a community choir so my husband can
>have some baby time (and I get even more adult conversation). These
>excursions could be spent doing clay but I find I need more stimulation
than
>being alone while being hypnotized by the spinning wheelhead.
>
>My husband would love to get more daddy only time and send me down to the
>basement but he works 60+ hour weeks. Now that she is old enough to
>entertain herself for short stretches of time, I am hoping to at least go
>downstairs and start practicing my standard shapes. I know I must be
>horribly rusty. And it should be very educational for her. I am not going
>to take any orders or commit to any sales. But if I do make some keepers,
>it will be a bonus.
>
>Nikki in Missouri
>
millie carpenter on fri 4 feb 00
Jessica,
the one bit of advice that I would give is a trade off. when my children were
babies, a friend who was in a baby sitting coop, sponsored me into the coop.
as a result, there were days when I took care of several kids for a few hours
and then there were the days where I left my child with other coop members for
a few hours. this gave me three things, free time for my work, where I wasn't
listening with one ear, a practical resource of experienced parents where I
could see what was usual for children at different stages of development, and
some lifelong friends for my children and me. we moved when my daughter was
three, and I had to start another coop in the new neighborhood, and then I
helped another group spin off from ours when it got too large. e-mail me off
list if you want more info on starting one if there isn't one available where
you are
Millie in MD--Where it is snowing again!!!!!
ferenc jakab on sat 5 feb 00
As I often say to my friends who are in jobs where they are too busy to
spend time with their kids "You only have 'em once. Before you know it
they're gone and you will wonder what you were busting your guts for when
your kids are strangers to you!"
Feri.
Jeanne Wood on sun 6 feb 00
Hi Jessica,
I had three children after I became a potter so the
scene that came to mind when I read your post was
right out of an Erma Bombeck (bless her soul) column.
I could imagine having to wash the clay off my hands
every few minutes to change, feed, check, etc. the
baby. My children hated playpens and would fight like
mini-tigers when placed in them. I could envision
holding a howling infant under one arm while fishing a
binkie out of the shino. Meanwhile the one-year-old is
poking holes in the clay bags, painting the walls with
englobe, then opening the studio door and running.
I rather doubt "Baby-proofing" a studio is a
possibility.
When my children were small I worked less, and in
spurts, but I made extremely good use of the time I
had. Their dad took care of them a lot, I brought
hand-builds to work on in the house, and I finally
hired a student to stay with them in my house (just 50
ft. from my studio). Which was a fantastic solution. I
was able to come in & play with them regularly and
continue to breast feed the infant.
I love being a potter, but I love them way more.
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy
-Jeanne W.
>
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