https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 27 Apr 2026 17:13:46 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-parenting-the-enemy-of-creative-work#post-2528168 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 20:22:07 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2528168@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I dunno what to think. I'm not an artist but am an academic and so the time investments and mental space elements of both are similar. I would say that being a parent has forced me to become a lot more efficient, and definitely take fewer but more pointed risks. I did not really know myself until I had a child, because I was never forced to make any irrevocable decisions. Having kids is probably the only decision I've ever made that is irrevocable, and in my opinion it is hard to know yourself until you commit to something. Not saying that non-parents are not self-aware/aware of their own mortality, etc., but parenting is a quick route to commitment and acknowledging the reality of trade-offs. Recognizing what is hard about life definitely has changed my perspective on work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-parenting-the-enemy-of-creative-work#post-2527357 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 03:43:31 +0000 erinpye 2527357@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I loved this article.</p> <p>Having kids doesn't limit the existence of my creativity, just that fiery, don't sleep until it's done, drive. It's a constant, frustrating internal battle between where to devote most of my attention, and my kids will win, because I love being their mother as much as I love creating art, and they are human people I chose to bring here- they deserve the best of me.</p> <p>I do feel, also, like was mentioned at the end of the article, that having kids "grew me up" and led me to previously untapped areas of inspiration, and darkness, and truth, and made me more creative. Because of them, I'm creating, and will create, what I was meant to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-parenting-the-enemy-of-creative-work#post-2527344 Sun, 17 Apr 2016 23:27:33 +0000 birdofafeather 2527344@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i guess i'll be the dissenter and say i kinda feel what she's saying. maybe it's just now in this season of transition from 1 to 2 and being in a house that is just a stepping stone for us, but i've felt depleted in my artistic endeavors... not when i'm actually working, like getting paid to photograph. i love that and need that space, but the extras that i used to care about and make time to hone my craft even more... those have been missing. i'm in the season where my art is my job instead of keeping my passion fresh, i've kinda fell back on the laurels of what i've built up? i mean, i guess that's a benefit to working hard to narrow in on what i want, but i don't feel stretched creatively or like i have a new direction where as previously, i was pushing myself to find something new.</p> <p>i have, however, read war of art and i feel like it's set me up to look at artistic ventures as a business and a habit instead of being a wild pursuit. so i keep my "business hours" and keep at it and pray that the season of passion for my art comes back! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-parenting-the-enemy-of-creative-work#post-2527338 Sun, 17 Apr 2016 22:43:22 +0000 Mama Bird 2527338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hmm... I don't suppose JK Rowling being a mom ruined her writing career... quite the opposite! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-parenting-the-enemy-of-creative-work#post-2527284 Sun, 17 Apr 2016 20:49:00 +0000 mrsjazz 2527284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I read the entire thing...this was after several starts and stops. The part where she journaled how she wanted to parent was just...MUCH. </p> <p>I've produced a lot more creative work since my daughter was born because I had to carve out more time for writing. I've published a short book of poetry, a personal essay, and a written a first draft of my novel. Sure, I can't write all the time...but I'm in a writing group with women who aren't parents and life gets in the way of their creative time, too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-parenting-the-enemy-of-creative-work#post-2527258 Sun, 17 Apr 2016 19:56:13 +0000 Reese 2527258@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: ditto. I didn't get through the article. </p> <p>That being said, I have probably become even more creative since my LO was born. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-parenting-the-enemy-of-creative-work#post-2527208 Sun, 17 Apr 2016 18:42:46 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2527208@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I couldn't finish the whole thing, her writing was annoying.</p> <p>I think motherhood has informed my practice and made me a better designer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-parenting-the-enemy-of-creative-work#post-2527196 Sun, 17 Apr 2016 18:35:04 +0000 magnolia 2527196@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p><a href="http://nymag.com/thecut/2016/04/portrait-motherhood-creativity-c-v-r.html?mid=facebook_nymag#" rel="nofollow">http://nymag.com/thecut/2016/04/portrait-motherhood-creativity-c-v-r.html?mid=facebook_nymag#</a></p> <p>Interesting article from NY magazine. Creative /artistic/writer/musician moms, what do you think? I've definitely had less time and energy to devote to writing music since my son was born, but I don't think it's impossible </p>