On Going from One to Two (and Soon-to-Be Three)
Some say going from having zero children to one child is the hardest transition. Others say one to two is really where things get life-changing. And then plenty more will tell you adding a third child was a whole different ball game. I think so much of it depends on age gap and gender and personalities, and regardless of how prepared you are, every turning of life's seasons brings new challenges and happy surprises.
Consistently though, one of the things that has made it possible for me to add more to my life (whether that be babies or work or hobbies or friendships) is cultivating a culture of independent play in our home, so that I'm freed up to do more than entertain my children all day. It is such a work in progress that requires a huge investment of time and effort (and sometimes money) on the front end, but 3.5 years and almost 3 children in, we are beginning to enjoy the fruits of our labor and sit back and watch our children create elaborate stories and structures and games together.
As a Reggio-inspired early childhood educator, one of the biggest beliefs I hold dear is the idea of the environment of the third teacher (or at home, the third parent). I select very carefully the things I let take up space in our home and intentionally organize them in such a way to provoke a certain kind of experience. I've spent an exorbitant amount of time researching just the right open-ended manipulatives and high-quality supplies so that we get the biggest bang for our buck - maximum hours of play for minimum dollars. I can't wait to share lists and lists of all of our favorites with you.
I'm somewhat of an online shopping guru, especially when it comes to children's toys and furniture, and what I've come to find out is that there are some major gaps in the market when it comes to finding minimalistic, well-made, beautiful things that inspire creative play. So I've started to make what I wish existed, starting with sensory tables.
When Hazel was born in the peak of summer, Hudson was only 16.5-months-old, and having a sensory table saved us. He played with it all day everyday outside, while I tended to my sweet and very reflux-y newborn inside. It was a really really really ridiculously expensive sensory table, and still, it rotted and cracked and was too impossibly large to clean out and refill. So many of those pain points have informed my design of the sensory table I wish we always had. And when I couldn't find someone to build it for me, I figured I would learn how to build it myself.
Over two years later, I've watched more carpentry YouTube videos than I ever could have imagined and wasted a whole lot of lumber perfecting a sensory table I'm really proud of, and I'm beyond excited to make one for you, too. A sensory table to me is more than just a frame and a tub; it's a vessel for a type of play that is a big value in our home, has made my life easier, and is continuing to give my children infinite opportunities to strengthen their creative, independent play muscles.
So I'm taking a deep breath and diving right into this whole small business world in hopes that some of my creations will make their way into your homes and bring joy to your little ones. Sensory tables go live in the shop Monday morning at 10am!
Photography by Erin Nickolas Photography.