I’ve done this quite a few times. Especially when I’m REALLY tired at night. Like, I-am-not-sure-I-can-move tired. I flop myself down on the bed and the kids grab a tub of moisturising cream and draw pictures on my feet. My job is to guess what they are drawing or what story they are telling. It’s just what a tired Mum needs sometimes. The kids think it’s oh-so-special! I reckon I might get the better end of the deal though. So next time you feel too weary to read a bedtime story, have a story drawn on your feet and get a foot rub at the same time.
Tip: Lay a towel under your feet to protect the sheets.
28 Comments
Nicole
November 17, 2010 at 1:25 pmWhat a nice idea! My kids often get foot massages from me – so maybe it’s my turn! I love the idea of you having to guess what they are drawing. I draw the letters of my daughters’ names on their back, while I say each letter aloud. My 3-year-old says “Mum, do E M I L Y”. She’s learning to spell her name without even realising it! She just loves the little mini massage 🙂 It’s so important for kids and their parents to bond like this too. Great post Kelly.
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
November 20, 2010 at 8:18 amThat is so sweet! And that is the BEST kind of learning. The learning that happens when you don’t even know it!
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Erin
November 17, 2010 at 1:51 pmThis is an adorable idea and has actually made me tear up. Must be the pregancy hormones LOL
I know Im going to be tied after Bug # 4 is born so this is just a great great great idea, specially if I am busy feeding bubs I can Lie there while the kids get there art on, <3 It kelly thank You
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
November 20, 2010 at 8:29 amOh, yes… while breastfeeding… that would be perfect!
Rebekah
November 17, 2010 at 2:13 pmGreat idea… If only mine were a bit older! They are 2, 2 and newborn… But definitely something to keep in mind.
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
November 20, 2010 at 8:31 amlol… a 2-year-old would be able to do it but it may be a little more messy.
Christie - Childhood 101
November 17, 2010 at 2:16 pmI need that right now! Sitting slumped at the dining table whilst toddler eats her lunch, can’t seem to find my get up and go today!
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
November 20, 2010 at 8:31 amSorry Christie. Those days are really hard hey? I hope you have a little more energy today. xx
Belinda Turner
November 17, 2010 at 3:51 pmOh wow. I love this idea. It’s absolute Gold. I’ll be trying this one out for sure. I wonder if I could get my 3 year old daughter to do it on my back and still guess what she is drawing. Lol.
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
November 20, 2010 at 8:32 amI’ve had the kids do it on my back before too. 🙂
BookChook
November 17, 2010 at 4:32 pmOne thing I taught every student, and that was from K to Year 6, was face massage. They would partner up, then I would put some soft music on and talk them through a face massage routine. It was just the most beautiful thing to see them being gentle with each other, and for some of them, it was a way to relax and come down from the hype of a frantic lunchtime play session.
I would also ask them to think about how much their parents did for them, and then suggest they could show appreciation by giving them a face massage sometime. I had so many parents come by and thank me and still have grown up kids stop me in the street and remind me of those days.
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
November 20, 2010 at 8:34 amMama Chook, I wish you were my teacher! Teachers with a passion for kids and learning are so rare…
BookChook
November 20, 2010 at 8:49 am@Kelly Be A Fun Mum, Kel, for once I am going to disagree with you. I truly believe there are tons of teachers with a passion for kids and learning! The trouble is, many are ground down by a system that is angled towards quantifying rather than quality, and they can appear distant, or disinterested. I don’t know what the answer is, but I do know the emphasis on testing and the lack of funding to libraries etc is contributing to a major crisis in education.
Meantime, parents like you and your wonderful community, are doing everything you can to encourage your kids to be creative, literate and loving young people, and I applaud you all!
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
November 20, 2010 at 9:01 amThanks for the perspective… I am REALLY discouraged with the school system BC. Like really, really. It’s just so disappointing. And you are probably right, it’s probably more the system rather than the teachers… although, I have had some bad experience with teachers… not this year though…
Especially last year, A. had a terrible teacher that hurt her… physically and emotionally and planted seeds of doubt in her mind all the time. It was a hard year. So forgive me for not seeing all teachers in a favourable light. I actually feel like crying thinking about it even though it is now in the past. I don’t judge all teacher on her behaviour — of course. It just makes me more wary.
My sister is a teacher and I love to see the effort she puts into her class. She seems to be able to teach them all at once, yet individually at the same time. This actually does seem quite rare to me but again, possibly it is to do with how the system is run. It’s hard to know what to do as a parent when you feel so discourage with the system your children are learnaing in. There is not much a focus on creativity which is a shame because I believe it is a KEY to learning.
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
November 20, 2010 at 9:29 amYou know what? I’m sitting here bawling. I didn’t realise how the year with that teacher affected me until now. It’s something I need to confont and let go so thank you for bringing that out…
BookChook
November 20, 2010 at 9:43 am@Kelly Be A Fun Mum, I can understand your discouragement after such a terrible year for your daughter. She’s a brave and strong kid to have made the distance and I feel for you both.
I think we all just have to decide how bad things are and whether they are bad enough to pull our kids out. An impossible decision, like many of the ones parents have to make. We can’t see the future. Every child is going to encounter one teacher they don’t get on with – but to encounter one who seems to have set out to erode self-confidence and leave emotional scars is awful. However, it sounds like your daughter has moved on from that place, which shows courage and resilience – two qualities that will be so useful to her.
Yes, I am with you on creative thinking. we’re not the only ones to think it either. I read so many articles that say the same thing. It’s a very hard thing to measure though, and with our current system hell-bent on testing everything in the name of accountability, I think it will take a back seat. Luckily, there is so much parents can do at home to encourage it.
Melinda
November 17, 2010 at 5:16 pmOh I LOVE this! Read it at just the right time. My husband just rang to tell me he’s stuck at work for at least for more hours (Already after 6pm here) so I’m going to try this right now!
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
November 20, 2010 at 8:35 amOooo good! I hope it helps Melinda and the kids enjoy it too!
Kalynda
November 17, 2010 at 5:46 pmWhat a great idea! I will have to keep this in mind for when my little one is a bit older 🙂
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
November 20, 2010 at 8:36 amYes, it works best with children over 3… Works especially well with school aged children.
Ash
November 17, 2010 at 9:11 pmNow that is a FANTASTIC idea! 🙂
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
November 20, 2010 at 8:38 amThanks Ash… try it sometime…
shelly
November 17, 2010 at 9:40 pmThis is great!
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
November 20, 2010 at 8:39 amI can just see you doing this with your son Shelly!
WarsawMommy
November 18, 2010 at 6:44 amNow THAT is a great idea… I will give that a go tomorrow night, I think!
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
November 20, 2010 at 8:40 amHave fun! Hope you find it as relaxing as me.
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