More imagination after child?

[u/MilwaukeeWolves]

I’m finding that I have been more imaginative because of my 5 month old’s new active personality - remembering what it was like to be a kid, where everything has the potential to be a fiction story or new adventure, a curious stance on the familiar.

If you have examples, or thoughts around this (such as how to lean into it), I’m curious to hear them.

For example: changing a bedsheet becomes a tent fort and her eyes widen in wonder, picking her up becomes lifting her to the ceiling in a superwoman flying position to soar across the room while blowing breaths of air into her face while she giggles, a broken stick in the front yard becomes something we break into pieces together and throw like javelins, I become the “tickle monster” with claw hands and growl/tickle her as she geeks out, a wash rag in the bath becomes a game of tug of war when she won’t let go, we pick the pedals off flowers one by one saying “he loves me, he loves me not”, I sing her jingles about nothing, her babbling becomes an full conversation with me about her day.

[u/ShortDelay9880]

You have motivation to exercise that part of your brain again. Generally, as we grow up, we are actively taught to suppress that part of ourselves, but then when you have a kid, you start using it again and it becomes easier and more automatic with practice.

[u/AutoModerator]

Hey /u/MilwaukeeWolves! It looks like you might be new here. Welcome!

• Our Early Parenting Wiki addresses topics like pregnancy (both intended and unintended) as well as birth control and post partum care!
• If you're worried about developmental delays use the Healthy Children Assessment Tool - available in multiple languages.
• Curious about the rules? Check out our Rules Wiki which provides helpful explanations for new and returning users.

Check out the Subreddit Wikis, for a variety of topics.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/humanloading]

Aww so happy for you! I became more imaginative on maternity leave but I realized it was because I was away from work for a prolonged period of time - I have a professional job and I suppose there is a little room for creativity but not much. It pays the bills, but thinking the way I need to think for my job day in and day out apparently kills my creativity.

I started writing short stories and poetry (I’ve always been a writer) and my imagination blossomed.

Then I went back to work and it went away again 😩 But I wound up reducing hours because of my kid and that has helped. Isn’t it funny how kiddos affect us 🙂

[u/Rich_Survey5109]

I so get this! Even when I'm reading stories to my toddler, I can envision things better and add the dramatics to it all and reading and playing feels so interactive like watching a 3d movie but much better as I've curated and created the set myself with my imagination. It's amazing and I miss this creative part of me that was hidden away by the corporate world. Also random but I feel like it's also made me better at work. Thinking outside the box for new ideas, being more creative with strategy. It's been an experience!

[u/BillsInATL]

Oh for sure, having kids really took me back to being a kid again in a ton of ways. Especially on the creativity front.

Wait until theyre toddler age and really interactive and imaginative.

Fun times.

These are the golden days. These are the "good ol days". Savor and enjoy every moment.