!!BABYSITTING!!

[ingramback2life]

My wife had a few things to do this morning and my 2 yr. old daughter wasn't cooperating.  I told her no problem I will watch her while I work in the shop.  Ever try taking care of a 2 year while turning ears, lips, eyes, and a nose on a deer.  There is salt and artificial grass all over my floor.  She kept bumping into my chair as i was turning the eyes.  Luckily no holes.  I had to answer about a million questions.  When she asked "What are these paints for daddy?" i figured it was time too go.  I took coloring books and movies for her but that only lasted about five minutes.  Ill just wait till her mom gets back.  Just need to flesh and salt now.  Very frustrating but she's still pretty awesome..........Sorry guys just a little frustrated and I thought yins would understand.

[luv2bowhunt]

Enjoy those moments, those little ones grow up fast and before you know it Mom or Dad aren't cool anymore and they don't want to hang around you anymore. In any case, I know what you are talking about. I would just find a good stopping place and spend some time with them.

[Bucknut]

My wife always told me it wasn't baby sitting if they are your own kids! lol  I can't imagine trying to get anything done with a 2 year old running around the shop.

Bruce

[michael p.]

Just be grateful that you're able to have children.....never take that for granted

[Brandon Wilbur]

My three year old little girl spends lots of time in the shop with me.I give her an extra form and she keeps busy with it painting it with water or "grooming" the foam with HER brush....Funny story,about two weeks ago i had a guy cut me some rough cut 1 x 12 poplar boards to put up on some shelving i had to use it as a display wall.She keeps her brush on that shelf.She come out to the shop a few days after i put the boards up and broke down into tears thinking i built a wall around her brush and she couldnt get it!!After a few minutes of calming her down i showed her how to now get her brush by walking around the wall and everything was still there just behind some more wood.


Cherish every moment with her.It seems like yesterday she was born and she will be 4 in april.

[MRN]

Whenever I cast my own duck heads and my 2 year old's around, I ALWAYS gotta pour one for her.  Then she insists I get her a pair of eyes for it.  Luckily she's still to young to know the difference between competition eyes and the junkers I have lying around!    Lovin' every minute of it but YES, it's really hard to get anything done.

[Jerry Huffaker]

There's an old saying , " You can take a boy fishing or you can go fishing , but you can't do both" I think that might apply to trying to work with a 2 yr old in your shop.  

 2-5 yr olds can be absolutely exhausting, but you will look back on it and smile one day.

[babowhunter]

Yes them days will be gone before you know it.....cherish them! It wont be like this forever.

[Terry Bennett]

My kids started spending time in the shop soon after they learned to walk. It does slow down production a little, but that's part of the reason that I have a studio next to our home. For me almost every day is take your kid to work day.

Over the years I have found a lot of things to keep them busy.

A ball of clay and some simple tools.
A piece of foam and some sand paper.
They like to play with toy animals on rock habitat bases in my show room.
Side walk chalk in the summer on the concrete in front of the shop.
All three of my kids liked to play in the salt pile, just be sure to check them for ticks before you send them in to momma.
As they have gotten older they get to do fun thing like sand forms, sweep the floor, skin out euro mounts, etc.
Unfortunately as soon as they get to the point were they can actually help your production they don't' want to spend as much time in the shop.