The Power of a Crayon

Remember the smell when you opened a fresh box of crayons? And the crayons all lined up with their perfect points and beautiful colors?  It took me a long time to pick which one I wanted to use first. There was power in crayons. They gave me the chance to draw and create whatever my imagination wanted.

Now, there is still power in crayons. I keep them around and pull them out whenever one of my children (or clients) is stuck on a problem. I put out butcher paper for them to  mind map, draw pictures, write down questions, doodle etc. until they feel better. Something about a crayon takes you back to that place of innocence from childhood and makes finding answers easier.

I also keep a bowl of wax crayons in my bathroom. I use them to write notes on the mirror or the shower wall. (Lots of brilliant idea’s pop into my head just as the shampoo suds is sliding down my face!) When my children visit from college, they often leave me sweet messages written on the mirror. I save them for days, holding their love deep in my heart.

You can utilize the power of a crayon with your daughter. Buy a box, and put down a big piece of paper on the floor. (Cut open a paper grocery bag if you don’t have large pieces of paper.) Ask your daughter to draw with you. Just doodle. You don’t have to try to be a good artist. Just have fun. You can both scribble lots of color and then color over it with a black crayon. Then use a table knife or something with a good edge, to scrape the black away in places. See what you end up with.

I know. I can hear you groaning, “But Dr. Jenn, my daughter is a teenager, she’ll laugh at me if I ask her to color with me!” Yes, she might. But, she might join you and the two of you can have a moment connecting in a way I bet you haven’t connected in a long time. It’s worth trying, right?

Leave wax crayons in your daughter’s bathroom and let her express herself on her mirror. Write a message on her mirror inviting her to write, draw, doodle on the mirror. Let her mirror become her journal in a way. You can always draw a heart on the mirror, or leave her a short note. Just make sure the mirror becomes a place of love and fun, NOT a place where you leave nagging messages to her. Remember the power of the crayon is about the power of innocence, childhood and love.

Find your own ways to make the power of the crayon work in your relationship with your daughter. Email me how a simple crayon has changed your life. I’m eager to hear. Oh, and don’t forget moms, the power of the crayon can work for you too! Write yourself a wonderful affirmation on your bathroom mirror. Or write your husband a short love note and put it under his pillow. Crayons really are magical. Go find out!
jennifer@drjennforgirls.com