The 11 steps of attempting creativity with a toddler around:
Step 1: lay out all your materials
Step 2: Have a mini heart attack when your two-year-old swipes the scissors. Lunge at her before she can do any damage and accidentally scare her into tears
Step 3: Spend 15 mins consoling a wailing toddler who is convinced that the scissors are the best and most amazing toy in the whole wide world and mommy is deliberately trying to keep them all to herself
Step 4: Move your project supplies to a work surface the 2-year-old can’t reach
Step 5: Pull up the instructions on your laptop, realize you forgot to charge the said laptop, and end up spending another 10 minutes hunting for the charger
Step 6: Return with charger only to find your enterprising 2-year-old next to your work table climbing onto a stool she lugged over from the kitchen. Screams and lunges for her once again.
Step 7: Spend another 15 mins explaining to your little one why she can’t play with the scissors.
Step 8: Return the stool to the kitchen and bribe the toddler with My Little Pony cartoons so she’ll stay out of your hair for a while.
Step 9: Spend 3 minutes on the project, start feeling guilty about ignoring your child
Step 10: Feel anxiety set in, and convince yourself you’re a horrible mother for ignoring your sweet little baby and for even wanting ‘me’ time.
Step 11: Put away supplies, run off to shower your bewildered toddler with cuddles and kisses, and promise yourself you’ll definitely work on your project tomorrow.