Some of the best parenting wisdom I ever heard, and I obtained it from several sources, is that the best things to do with your child are the things you love doing anyway. And to spend less time worrying about the things you don’t manage to provide your child with and more time celebrating the things you naturally bring to your parenting.
One thing I love doing is going to art galleries. (Something I was introduced to as a child by a mother who also loved going to art galleries).
But I haven’t taken Cormac to the art gallery much – see here for a full exploration of that guilt – and so my expectations of him were low. And when I did take him the other week he actually really surprised me. He was full of gentle wonder and good behaviour. I was reminded that young children make great art gallery company because they lack cynicism and suspicion.
blue milk 
I love the attitude of the art galleries in Queensland to children, which is to see them as people who deserve to love art.
I grew up in a small country town in New Zealand and going to galleries, theatre & museums in the city were unforgettable highlights of my childhood. I can’t wait to expose my future children to the wonders of such buildings. I love how places like GOMA have child-friendly sections and activities. They’re doing it right!
Great advice and so true.To do things day in and day out with them that I don’t like doing can only take the joy out of activities.
I accidently went into an art gallery with my 4 year old a while back. He loved it. I underestimate the kids sometimes. And I underestimate my own interests – they might not involve making things with glue, but they can still be a great way to spend time with the kids.
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