Image of blogger LifeAsItHappens's baby alongside Cyril Connelly
In 1938, English author, Cyril Connolly wrote, “There is no more sombre enemy of good art than the pram in the hall.”
We’re writing an article on the truth (or not) in that statement and we’d love to incorporate your first-hand experiences of raising a child and trying to maintain a creative life … Either comment below or email us directly. Thanks!
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7 responses so far ↓
hi kate
great idea for a story! i know several pending new parents in creative fields who would be super interested in the answers! ;)
my comment: twofold. surface-level, immediate effect of children is indeed a loss of creativity, in so much as it is a loss of time for creative work and of course the obvious lack of sleep and coherence
but the deeper, slow-release effect is the opposite. it is, after all, and despite the bad press an act of ‘creation’ to have a child! having to move at a child (read: snail)’s pace forced me to look at the world again…all that time sitting still while breastfeeding, taking 40 min to walk around the block, watching over them in playgrounds: i found an abundance of contemplation…and newer, younger eyes to see the world through, as they say in every true cliche
also, wanting/needing to be home for domestic rituals gave me enhanced productivity and work ethic – no more procrastination!
cheers! vaike :)
Howdy.
My immediate reaction to your question is this: I can honestly say that I have never written so much and so well than when blogging with small children hanging off me like christmas ornaments.
The kids force me look at the world in a completely different way (and not just through the bleary eyes of the perpetually sleep-deprived). They provoke me and inspire me. They constantly dazzle me and sometimes defeat me. They make me laugh, they make me cry. They are the wind beneath my… oh, dear. Yes, I almost really did write that.
Basically, if Cyril Connelly had really taken the time to look who was in that pram in the hall, he might have felt differently and not been such a Mr Grumpy Bum about it all.
Of course, the pram may just have been parked right in front of his study door, in which case, I can appreciate his frustration. Stupid pram.
The Not Drowning Mother
i thought of another thing!
babies often mean less money available, i find you can get more creative in how you live when you have less money – new recipes made from the can left in the pantry, swapping clothes or re-fashioning them instead of buying new etc etc so, not just creative in work but also in life :)
Everywhere we go it seems that there are many reasons people find to marginalise motherhood/ parenthood and find the negative in it in the way it impacts our lives i.e. attitudes in the workforce. How about we start to regard a parents new born connection to the universe from having created a life as a springboard for a whole new level of creativity.. in fact just look at last year’s Archibald Prize winner, Kathryn Barton’s “You are what is most beautiful about me?”… inspired by the children in her life! I am about to raise a child and maybe you will call me naïve, but I intend to live the creative dream. 4 months to go, watch this space!
And.. I have also thought of another point…. I guess if there was truth in this statement today we wouldn’t see organisations such as http://www.creativemums.com.au/ going strong…
There is also a great book called ‘The divided heart’ by Rachel Power about Art and Motherhood..she talks to a broad variety of australian artists and mums..just about this subject. It’s published by Red Dog.
This is a fantastic topic .
Children open my heart . I just hugged my baby and everything disappeared ,lost importance it made me free . Thoughts ,solutions just came to me effortlessly it is the meditation of love . The energy the crystal clear value system kids have is universal until some adults poison them with their own fear .
The way kids see and communicate is amazing .The questions they ask are fascinating.Simple ones and we often do not know the answer ,but we have to make one create an answer be creative . Why is the frog green ? I have not got the slightest but thought out an answer and of course that was not enough the why came and the next why and we were only half way to the supermarket and the why’s never stopped until the chocolate counter . When he was happy I could fly when he was sad I was more so .
I believe mums and dads can handle stressful confrontations at the work place much better .Our negotiation skills growing with our children as they become smarter and more resourceful we have to try outsmart them again and again . I became more patient .Learned that sometimes what ever the plan is life happens and I had to be creative . Re focus under any circumstance .
Just look at the images , the baby -I breathe easier ,my eyes wonder to the nose, the mouth the eyebrows what thoughts hide behind it C.Connelly my heart shivers and my stomach crunches , fear ,ego