How to talk with kids (and moonlight creatives) about their art

Another mommy once gave me great words to say when a child shows me their creative work: Tell me about your picture.

She had just witnessed me saying, “wow what a fabulous pirate with big bunny ears” only to have the boy cringe because I called his pirate’s ears big. Those were not ears, but balloons to take the pirate out to space.

Right now, I'm in that heady creative space where I think I’ve come up with the precisely perfect campaign slogan for a client. I struggled to find the right words and then really think I heard trumpets in my head when the idea appeared (sort of like putting balloons on a pirate). Presenting it via email was a mistake, I know, but they were in a rush and ...

It’s been 27 hours and counting. You develop a thick skin when you do creative as a profession, but every idea is still precious. I want a chance to tell them about my picture. I bet they think it’s bunny ears.

Amy