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Hands On As We Grow

Your reality ≠ Instagram. And that’s okay.

Published 5 days ago • 3 min read

Reader...

There is pressure. Way too much pressure these days for the "perfect" look, the "perfect" kids, the "perfect" craft. The "perfect" Easter outfit...

I blame Instagram and social media in general for this mostly.

But seriously, why do we put this pressure on ourselves?

Have you ever scrolled Instagram to find an activity that looks amazing to do? ... but then think of YOUR reality and how it would really happen.

YOUR REALITY: Your kid would do the activity differently than how it looks in the photos.

... and we're trained to think that's wrong.

I can tell you from the many times we've done activities, repeated the same ones, or done activities that others have done. It is NEVER DONE THE SAME WAY.

We re-do classics all the time: Flour sensory activity, walking lines of tape, blocks floor puzzles and others too. It's never the same. The kids change it up, add on to it, or are just in a completely different mood and... well, it may not be a hit.

And that makes our kids brilliant, unique, creative, and it makes it a whole lot of fun (most of the time)!

Who wants it to be the same each time anyway? And who wants to be the clone to the kid next to you?

EMBRACE that your child is "doing it wrong" and "different" -- wrong and different are an A+ in my book!

Just know that it's not you or your child that's in the wrong. It's the perfect images we see on social media. The pressure we put on ourselves as parents.

Let the "messy" happen. It becomes a beautiful thing to watch.

.... and bottom line? It's normal. Every kid "does it wrong" and every kid will do it differently. Every mom will do it differently. Every time it's different. Don't let that pressure of "perfect" stop you from enjoying the activity in your own way.

~ Jamie
​Hands On As We Grow®​
​Engaging our kids with simple, fun activities, every day.

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P.S. Don't forget to head to our Shop to find even more fun time-saving Spring activities!

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"This is so awesome! You all are really amazing. The kindness shared constantly is like nothing anywhere else on social media. I see so much judging and correcting in other spaces. Here in this group, the members are supportive, encouraging and just true gems. I am so lucky to be part of something so special."
— Kayla Flynn, The Activity Room Member

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30+ Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Kids

Put a twist on a classic kid's game: scavenger hunts! You'll love the over 30 cool, creative, and unique hunts we've collected!
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More on Hands On As We Grow:

​Find the Letter & Swat It! Active Way for Learning Letters​

​8 Messy Play Ideas + Why You Should Let It Happen​

​Simple Fine Motor Activity with Paper Clips​

​36 Simple Spring Crafts for Kids​
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Plan the week with your Free Blank Weekly Activities Planner! DOWNLOAD HERE.

Make it easy on yourself and get our pre-planned activity plan eBooks done for your age of child. Or have activities planned for you, every single week! Enjoy!

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PO Box 128, Elkader, Iowa 52043
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Hands On As We Grow

Engaging our kids with simple, fun activities, every day.

Hands On As We Grow has activities, crafts and art projects for kids up to school age, and even into their beginning years of school. You’ll find fun things to do with them, crafty ideas, and easy ways to make learning fun.

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