Calling All Artists, Young and Old
It’s never too late to start a hobby. And during the Fall and Winter months, hobbies are a great way to keep yourself and your grandkids busy indoors. Whether you do them alone to decompress, or in groups to create fun memories, hobbies can help introduce many wonderful life experiences. Many of us found ourselves with a lot of free time during the pandemic, working on puzzles, cleaning grout, zoom calls playing all sorts of games to keep us entertained. It was a great opportunity to discover new activities and learn skills. Many Americans picked up a new hobby in 2020 and 2021.
You may have taken up baking, flower arranging, painting, knitting, or a musical instrument, but you likely left lockdown with new talents and a new source of joy. Thankfully, the worst of the pandemic is behind us, and most of us have resumed our pre-2020 lives. But a return to the office doesn’t mean you should stop pursuing new hobbies. This just requires advanced planning and commitment. A high school friend of mine recently shared that she was struggling to find an activity to do with her granddaughter, and thought she would give jewelry-making another try. She and he granddaughter drove to a local hobby shop and picked up some supplies. Over the next few weeks, they painstakingly assembled an assortment of bracelets, necklaces, and even earrings. They then took them to a nearby retirement community to cheer up the residents with their creations. It was a big hit and warmed many hearts and taught an important lesson to her granddaughter about the joy of giving.
Hobbies can be a powerful part of our lives. They can improve our mental health among many other benefits. They can take our minds off life’s challenges and transport us to a happy place far, far away. Above all, they can break us out of our daily routines and bring fresh perspectives to our lives. Our hobbies can also give us a new reason to use our talents and interests to connect with other people who share our passions. Sharing your passions with your grandchildren is a great way to bond while you teach them to become little artists, coin or stamp collectors, model train enthusiasts, or cupcake bakers.
As winter approaches, hobbies are a great way to keep busy indoors and a great way to try something new with family and friends without having to leave your home. I hope that fall brings you the opportunity to create some wonderful memories around your hobbies. Or, if you don’t have one I hope I have helped provide you with some new ideas on how to start a new pursuit. For example, reading books, playing chess, writing, cooking, traveling, etc. are prominent examples of hobbies. The grandparent-grandchild relationship can be a very special one. It also has the potential to be mutually beneficial. Retirement is the perfect opportunity to explore outside interests. It's also the perfect springboard for fun times with grandkids. It doesn't matter if your interests tend toward the mechanical, the creative, or the physical. Your grandchild would love to help you, especially when it's something they've never done before, like work on a classic car or knit a blanket, or even read a book.
What better way to foster a love of books than a trip to the local library? Sure, you could head to the bookstore, but the library is not only free but boasts a host of kid-friendly activities. Most libraries have weekly story times designed for different ages: toddlers, preschoolers, and curious young minds.
Are you the artist your grandchild is seeking?
