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On Saturday morning, Jackson turned off the cartoons and announced, “I am going to build a fort.”
He began gathering building materials – even Olivia’s blanket sleeper – and got to work.
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I watched from the kitchen table as I worked on my laptop, enjoying my son’s intensity as he crafted his fort. I love how instinctive building forts is to children. Whether with blankets, sofa cushions and kitchen chairs or with branches, spare lumber and sticks – building forts is part of childhood.
At one point I noticed Jackson struggling to fasten the corner of a blanket. I went over and offered my suggestion, “Here Jackson, just wrap it here and then you have enough room to knot it”
“Mom,” Jackson protested, “It is supposed to be me doing it. That’s not kid style.”
“Oh – I am sorry Jackson,” and I retreated, impressed by my son’s independence. This is his work – the art of play. It is not about building the perfect fort, it is about being a kid.
Colleen Palat says
So cute! I remember how much I loved building forts when I was young. Can’t wait until my son is old enough to enjoy building one, too!
Lisa - The Scrap Princess says
That’s so cute – they are fiercely independent when making forts, I know lol. My daughter always says “Mom it’s my size, not for you” and she is only 4. But she knows what she wants! She says she is going to be on HGTV one day…maybe they will have the ultimate fort contest!
Shera - A Frog In My Soup says
Great story! Boys truly are fascinated by the “science” of building the perfect fort aren’t they? Thanks so much for sharing!
Jamie says
Too cute!
Lor says
I am a grandmother but still remember how I adored making a tent or a fort–under the dining room table, or arranging the sheets on my bed, draping a blanket on a bush or a tree–just loved creating these little habitats as a child. And now, still love doing the same with my grandsons. During Thanksgiving we decided to make one at the end of a little balcony above our living room. Suddenly we were poor hikers stranded in the frozen mountaintop…both my mates were sick but I could venture out–and managed to bring back the “magic elixir” (blackberry herbal tea with honey) in a little clay coffee pot, served in tiny espresso cups. We even made an imaginary fire from a lamp decorated with orange feathers. It was a memory that we won’t soon forget. Each time my grandson called for weeks afterward, he asked me if I left the fort up!
jen says
WTG Jackson
its the process thats important not the final product
Jane says
Good for Jackson!! Our kids loved playing in “their” tents no matter where they were built–living room, bedroom or under the kitchen table with blankets for the sides. Imagination is a treasure that some children our losing today because of too much technology. Congrats on a job well done.
heather says
That is one of my kids’ favorite activities–we always have at least one fort somewhere in the house.