parenting hiccups

Parenting Hiccups is about being playful, open, and flexible with time, and especially appreciating time with children. It is inspired by the difference between a parent’s theoretical “plan” and the actual reality of how time becomes filled with playful young children. These two sorts of time can be very different.

The top portion describes the theory that it’s important to make time for one’s self. But as moments flow through the hourglass-type shape from theory to practice, it’s clear that the idea of self becomes immersed in all the other playful particles of time.

Yet, the handwritten musing in the lower finite time portion describes a very fun moment with children (or really anyone we love), saying We giggled until we all had the hiccups, and the moment was more than time could hold.

For, as much as we might try to contain our moments into a planned schedule, it is the spontaneous moments of heart-warming fun and laughter that expand across our life and become more than any measure of time.

“For, as much as we might try to contain our moments into a planned schedule, it is the spontaneous moments of heart-warming fun and laughter that expand across our life and become more than any measure of time.”

This is why the blue and red time-particles are shown over-flowing beyond the boundaries of the vessel.

“Hiccups” are often used as a metaphor to represent a break or set-back in time’s otherwise smooth flow—and the parenting timeline has many. But my feeling is that it’s really those un-planned, silly, playful hiccups that we are eternally grateful for. I would much rather have them than any other time I might try to squeeze in. I feel that the chance to play with children and try to see the world from their perspective is truly a blessing, so whatever schedule I’m on—or trying to make time for—will simply have to wait.

Parenting Hiccups was created in Adobe Photoshop by combining scans of paint-dots and finger-prints made by my young children with photos, graphics, type, and my handwriting.