“Kids make life the best kind of busy… “

This artwork is inspired by my current 24/7 lifestyle  : being a mother, one of Mothers of Daughters series of paintings.

Nobody warns me that being a parent can be tough.Most of my friends have a teenager by this time and they are through with the long and winding road of raising tiny toddlers.The thing is, parenting  has no day off, it has no monetary appraisal. It doesn’t come with a job description, I can’t resign, nor I can’t slack off.  Pre-baby, there has been no apprenticeship. No on-the-job training.

Motherhood is  a l-i-f-e 24/7.

One of the subjects I love to work on in my artwork is doing my  version of a Mother & Child painting.  I love things that resonates life and something that I could relate into. I am not that good (yet!) , I am still a work-in-process on both fields– being a mother and as a visual artist. I don’t even think that my artwork could get attention from others who are far by better than what I am doing. But I am truly humbled whenever I get compliments. I still have a lot of things to learn. Everyday as I play with my brush and colors, I discover techniques that works best with the result that I wanted to achieve. Sometimes it becomes a lot of mess, disappointments, my fingers hurt and my mind gets tired. But then, I don’t quit. I continue to create the thoughts in my mind into images.

Same goes with motherhood & parenting, everyday, I am faced with challenges, but there’s no turning back. I know that having a toddler is just a temporary stage, that soon she will be independent on her own, and that I, have my own life to tend too.

It is not easy being an Expat Mother.

There are times I feel isolated and it’s a real challenge to live independently, without your immediate family and relatives to ask for support, especially my mother.We only rely on online chats and messenger the most. It’s our lifeline for being separated miles apart. I have learned to act upon instincts and be strong. For about 9 months now, I am glad that I have found new friends here in Germany , ( and they are all wonderful!) and that my daughter is doing well. She had precious milestones lately that really took us by surprise! It’s just great to be able to break the language barrier and felt that I belong here now,  although still I feel not totally 100% at home, but at least I don’t feel like a visiting tourist.

Yes, mothers of daughters are something special to me.

 

The great thing is— I need to remind myself  that apart from being a mother, I am still a person, woman, a wife, a daughter, a sister, and a friend. My life doesn’t end the moment my kid came into my life and Yes– I am capable in other fields in life too.

If you don’t have a child, then this post might not interest you. Or you are still single and  you can’t relate to this post, or you’re through with having babies and that you’ve passed this stage already.You are through with raising kids. But for someone who have high hopes of having a child someday, I hope someday you experience the joy that I am having now while raising my tiny human and not so much of the sacrifices that goes with it. It may not be the most comfortable lifestyle, but soon, this stage will pass.

 If ever I would raise a child again ( not that I am hoping for a 2nd! ), but what If I have the chance to re-do the Parenting process, what about then?

What would I do ;

“I’ll build self-esteem first and tidy up the mess later “

“I’d finger-paint more and point the finger less “

“I would do less correcting and more connecting “

“I’d take  my eyes off my watch and watch with my eyes “

“I would care to know less and know to care more “

“I’d take more hikes and walks with her “

“I’d stop playing serious and seriously play “

“I would run through more fields, jump in muddy puddles, and gaze at more stars”

“I’d do more hugging and kissing and less tugging “

“I would be firm less often and affirm much more “

“I’d model less about the love of power and more about the power of Love “

One question for you, what would you do if you’ve given a chance to raise your children once again?

Any thoughts ?

Also, let me have your opinion about this artwork. I really  appreciate  comments and feedback so much.

If you’d like to see more of my artworks, you can check it out Here or follow JustbluedutchArt in Instagram.