In my third year of complaining about how much time it takes to drive kids to, and wait for, soccer practices, it was high time that I figured out a solution!
Not all kid activities lend themselves to crafting. A and B take separate skating lessons, so I usually have some kid one-on-one time built in there. Swim lessons are a bit hectic and take place in a chlorine-y pool, so I don’t bring crafting with me. Piano lessons are a time that I get some really special one-on-one reading or walking time with my kindergartener, so I have kept that time a bit sacred.
But soccer! Two practices a week, plus a game! It seems like endless time at the fields. As the weather gets cooler, I have found that there are only so many errands that I can run within a few minutes of the field (that B would be game to tag along for). Queue up my master crafty plan – bring a stack of books* and coloring for B, and I get to work on crocheting!
For the first round, this went very well. I got some rows done and B and I passed a pleasant hour in the car while A gave it her all on the field.
But now I am left with a quandary. That baby afghan is almost finished, and not many of my crochet creations are small enough to handle in my lap in the car. Same with my bigger sewing projects! So I am putting together a little bag with small hand-projects to keep in the car for these “waiting” moments. So far I have an embroidery project for a wall hanging and some little pants that need mending (oh, how pants always need mending with this boy). I have considered the (terrifying) idea of knitting…
…but before I take that leap, what else? What do you think I could try for a car-friendly, passing the time, sort of craft?
* Have you checked out VOX books? They are such a cool addition at our local branch of the Portland Public Library. B loves that he can “read” the books himself and it is really helping with his confidence as a reader!