Dear innocent grandparents, I have terrible news for you. If you are not on top of your game, there will come a day when your beloved grandchildren will balk at visiting you because they will find you boring. So, I’m going to let you in on a little secret that will preserve your place as the most magical person in your grandchildren’s lives.
The big secret is, “drop cloths. In order to make sure your place is a refuge from the tedious for your grandchildren, you need at least two 12X15 sturdy canvass drop cloths. You may find this secret, well, mmm, pedestrian; but I promise that it will make an enormous difference in your relationship with grandchildren who are 3 years old and up. Please suspend your instinct for sarcasm and follow me.
 |
| My Formal Dining Room Table Before Preparing for Children |
I have a very formal, 19th century dining room with silk and wool rugs that I use as a craft and activities room for neighborhood children and grandchildren.
 |
| Easy to Find, Sturdy Canvass Drop Cloths |
Here’s how it works. When the grandchildren want to ice the Christmas cookies, stir up the molasses for gingerbread, finger paint, make model airplanes, or make glitter and glue birthday cards, and your most expansive work space is your formal dining room, or your library, you will not say “no”, nor will you say “yes” with nervous and terrible anticipation of a spectacular disaster.
Instead you will get yourself over to Sherwin Williams, buy a couple of top grade canvass drop cloths, cover everything worth keeping, and jump right into the project with childlike delight and abandon. The drop cloths will preserve your sanity, your carpets, your beautiful wood floors and tables, and most importantly your sense of humor and adventure. Now one would think that Grandmama Harriet was belaboring the obvious, but most grandparents are surprised at the notion of buying drop cloths for child's play and that is why you are reading this blog post from me.
