Forcing kids to make a scrapbook

[Tinkermommy]

If my kids decided they wanted to scrapbook and we went out and bought supplies and all, then yes, I would have them complete a project they began.

If I was the ones with visions of happy kids scrapping away then I would adjust my expectations.

So, no I wouldn't force them. I would do it myself if it was important.

 

[mjkacmom]

I've always hated doing crafts and I'm a girl, no way would I expect boys to want to do that!

I have all of my pictures in ziploc bags - went to a couple of scrapbooking parties, and hated it. Let it go!

 

[NMAmy]

Thought A:

The whole point of the scrapbook was it would be fun *for the boys*. If they aren't finding it fun, let it go.

I've made scrapbooks since I was about 12. When dd was young, she'd pick her favorite photos and write a couple of things about them and those pages would be put in the rest of the scrapbook that I made. It takes a while to make one and it's a pretty big project--no way I'd force a kid to do the whole thing if they didn't want to.

Thought B:

Sometimes kids need a kick in the butt. Even if they aren't having "fun" putting in the work, they agreed to do it and should finish what they start. Besides, someday they will be glad they put in the work and have the scrapbook to look back on.

I think the only memories they will have is of someone kicking them in the butt to work on the stupid scrapbook--it's not going to be a nice, happy memory of family time spent together. At least they'll have something to discuss with their therapist.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I think making them doing will created the opposite of what you want- they'd look back and think of "mean mom" making them do it, vs the fun of the trip.

I'd finish them up and give them to them.

This. Making them do it will turn the scrapbooks into "that stupid scrapbook". OP, finish them up for your sons if they are important to you.

I have all of my pictures in ziploc bags - went to a couple of scrapbooking parties, and hated it. Let it go!

You have me beat on scrapbooking! I have never even been to party. I have shoeboxes full of old pictures. I think the digital camera is the greatest invention of all time because now all my pictures can just sit on my hard drive and I don't have to do anything with them.

My 8 and 13yo daughters want nothing to do with scrapbooking, I can't imagine most boys would have any interest.

 

[perdidochas]

So before our last vacation, I get the bright idea that the boys (9, 13) would enjoy making a scrapbook. They would print out some of the photos they like to take, put them in an album, write down a few notes below each photo, etc. We talk it over... everything thinks it's a neat plan.

So we get back from vacation and the boys now show no interest in the scrapbook. They get a few gentle reminders, put a little work in, but keep wandering off to watch tv or play video games. After a few weeks of this, finishing the scrapbook becomes a chore... worse than cleaning their rooms.

Thought A:

The whole point of the scrapbook was it would be fun *for the boys*. If they aren't finding it fun, let it go.

Thought B:

Sometimes kids need a kick in the butt. Even if they aren't having "fun" putting in the work, they agreed to do it and should finish what they start. Besides, someday they will be glad they put in the work and have the scrapbook to look back on.

This isn't a big deal either way.... just curious where the DIS posters would come down on this debate.

I'd tell them to just put the photos in the book. Don't worry about the notes. That way they keep them preserved and displayable.

Have you thought about them maybe doing a Powerpoint scrapbook instead of a paper one?

 

[Pakey]

Let it go. I scrapbook and even I find it tedious.

 

[4greatboys]

Why make them do something they are not interested in? I love to scrapbook. I also have 4 boys and not one has ever been interested in it. I would never force them into making one. I just don't see the point. Why not just get them a photo album and give them some pictures to put in it? Most everyone enjoys looking back at vacation pictures.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

It was your idea, you do it.

 

[2disneyboys]

If it was your ideal, then you need to be the one to do it.

my oldest ds loves crafts and even he does not like to help me w/ my scrapbooks

my youngest ds... the closest he gets to a scrapbook was when I MADE him take pic's with some of the characters at the parks (come on sweetie.. I know you don't like (fill in the blank) but mommy really wants a picture for her scrapbook.)

 

[anna_chronistic]

Looks like I agree with the majority: don't force them to make the scrapbook.

However, the idea that no young boys would want to make a scrapbook is silly -- we tend to create this idea of what "boys" like to do, and that means boys who want to do other things are slighted, told they're acting like "girls" etc. Just let a person be their own person, for heaven's sake! I just worry that people who say their sons/nephews would "never" want to do a particular task have never truly, with an open mind, let them try it and see for themselves if they like it without making subtle comments to steer them one way or the other. I don't mean this to be an attack or specific response to anyone, I just hope that people don't put scrapbooking/crafting/art into a "girl" category and not allow their boys to have fun with it.

One of my nephews, a hugely active, athletic 8-year-old would probably list "crafts" (with his aunt -- moi, of course ) as among his top 10 favorite things to do. However, it was taking us sooooo long to complete a traditional paper scrapbook that I finally decided that I'd help him make a digital scrapbook for his birthday gift. I uploaded the photos from our family Disney World trip, sat down with him, typed his exact words for each page, had him pick photos, backgrounds, fonts, etc. -- and we finished it in just a couple of hour-long sessions. He adores that book, and we all enjoy it, too, because of the journaling on the pages -- grammatical errors, non sequiturs and all!

 

[Pigeon]

If my kids decided they wanted to scrapbook and we went out and bought supplies and all, then yes, I would have them complete a project they began.

If I was the ones with visions of happy kids scrapping away then I would adjust my expectations.

This.

And my kids get more than enough crappy arts and crafts posing as education projects from school. They don't need me inflicting more on them.

 

[dislaney]

I'd just let it go. Even my one daughter who is the craftiest of my bunch, can't stand scrapbooking.

 

[KellyWasHere]

If my kids decided they wanted to scrapbook and we went out and bought supplies and all, then yes, I would have them complete a project they began.

If I was the ones with visions of happy kids scrapping away then I would adjust my expectations.

So, no I wouldn't force them. I would do it myself if it was important.

Perfect, ITA.

My mom forced me to do ONE scrapbook page when I was 20 years old, of our trip to CA. I was not thrilled and couldn't think of what to do, but eventually I did figure it out. I'm glad she made me do it, I love seeing it, but that was ONE page and I was an adult. So no, I would never force a kid to do a whole scrapbook, unless it was their idea and were so insistent that I went out and bought the stuff for them.

 

[kwelch10377]

I would not push it and the thought would have never even crossed my mind that a 9 and 13 year old boys would be interested in doing a scrapbook unless they actually came to me with the idea.

 

[Imzadi]

just make the books for them. They'll probably appreciate having them more than they would appreciate making them, KWIM?

They probably liked the idea of the book more than when they sat down and found the reality is that it's a lot of tedious work. Let it go.

Lots of crafts are that way. You won't know if you really like something until you actually try it. by then, you've bought a bag full of supplies and it doesn't turn out to be what you expected, or is more work than you actually want/or can to put in. Every once in a while you find a craft that turns into a real love and addiction. But, you won't know till you've tried it.

 

[Cinderella94]

I'm LOLing at the thought of my 13 year old brother doing a scrapbook.

 

[Planogirl]

I cringe at the thought of ME making a scrapbook. I can't sympathize with your problem, sorry.

 

[nmmom95]

I'm LOLing at the thought of my 13 year old brother doing a scrapbook.

My DS will be 13 next month, and I don't think I could get him to look at a scrapbook.

 

[Cinderella94]

My DS will be 13 next month, and I don't think I could get him to look at a scrapbook.

So true!

Our mom loves to scrapbook and has done one for every Disney trip since '04...he never looks at them .

 

[cluvsdisney]

Looks like I agree with the majority: don't force them to make the scrapbook.

However, the idea that no young boys would want to make a scrapbook is silly -- we tend to create this idea of what "boys" like to do, and that means boys who want to do other things are slighted, told they're acting like "girls" etc. Just let a person be their own person, for heaven's sake! I just worry that people who say their sons/nephews would "never" want to do a particular task have never truly, with an open mind, let them try it and see for themselves if they like it without making subtle comments to steer them one way or the other. I don't mean this to be an attack or specific response to anyone, I just hope that people don't put scrapbooking/crafting/art into a "girl" category and not allow their boys to have fun with it.

One of my nephews, a hugely active, athletic 8-year-old would probably list "crafts" (with his aunt -- moi, of course ) as among his top 10 favorite things to do. However, it was taking us sooooo long to complete a traditional paper scrapbook that I finally decided that I'd help him make a digital scrapbook for his birthday gift. I uploaded the photos from our family Disney World trip, sat down with him, typed his exact words for each page, had him pick photos, backgrounds, fonts, etc. -- and we finished it in just a couple of hour-long sessions. He adores that book, and we all enjoy it, too, because of the journaling on the pages -- grammatical errors, non sequiturs and all!

I agree with both of your points.
OP, I'd drop the idea of making your sons make a scrapbook.

Boys do scrapbook. It's a creative outlet that shouldn't be gender specific. IMO, it's kind of like saying sports are for boys. Kids should be able to discover what they enjoy without the gender labels.