Caring for Caregivers, Part 2

 

A pine cone holder that was created from found objects by folks in Mary's class

 Last week, you may have read the first part in this series.  Here’s part 2 by Mary Lyon.

And that's the whole point!

I've found the most fun arises from having everyone create a face. It can be their own self-portrait or caricature of a friend or coworker. First, they choose a large flat plastic lid from a supply of them that I provide. Next, they pick through  several boxes of recycled stuff I've collected and sorted for them - bottle tops, pull-tabs, beads, wine corks, twist-ties, pipe cleaners, and other stuff to glue onto their "face." GREAT way to recycle and save a landfill! Plus, the cost is almost nothing besides a small amount of art supplies like scissors, the pipe cleaners, glue guns and glue sticks that you may already have anyway. All the other components are free. 

Here are some doll house creations

 

Fridge

 

 

Sink

Table with Pipe cleaner person relaxing

Stove  
 

I love the use of found objects! 

Participants are invited, and reminded, to let loose and go a little crazy, and have fun with this! Go as wild as you dare! Nothing is too strange or odd-looking, and the funnier the better. As we all work together, I assist with their efforts, and go around admiring each participant's work, holding it up so everyone else can admire it and maybe get some ideas, and they can all share some chuckles. Of course I provide lots of samples of pieces I've made or that other students or kids have made for me. 

And to add to the hilarity, I always try to wear one of the funnier oddities I've madeNo one expects this. They really let their guard down. It helps them "go to another place" where everything is more fun, light-hearted and, as the Little Prince would say, a welcome departure from all those "matters of great consequence" that grownups have to bear in all seriousness. With the schedules they keep and the responsibilities they face, and the endless demands they have to meet, I think these wonderful souls deserve to take a break that's a real departure, just to have fun and even be a little silly.

 And of course we take pictures!!! The twinkles that return to their eyes, the roses that begin to appear in their cheeks, and the smiles that take over their faces as they model their delightful creations, and marvel at the unconventional creativity they've unleashed within themselves, are a huge tonic for all! 

We share ideas, anecdotes, and many many laughs while we're "working". I've even had some participants tell me they might want to hold some classes like this where they do their care-giving work. They leave the class with smiles on their faces, a lilt in their steps, and a fun story to share - complete with ingenious hand-made props! And so help me, I think some of them actually look a little younger...