7 Books to Inspire Exhausted Parents to Be Creative Again

How to Avoid Making Art, by Julia Cameron and Elizabeth Cameron
Julia Cameron’s bestselling The Artist’s Way is the quintessential book on creativity, outlining a 12-week program designed to tap into one’s artistic self—an inspiring and amazing journey. But that process may sound daunting to sleep-deprived parents, in which case they could start with Cameron’s short book of funny comics. Each page contains illustrations of tongue-in-cheek “advice” on how not to create art or do anything else you enjoy with quips like, “Demand 15 hours of free time to create, so you can ignore the 15 minutes you’ve got” and “Tell yourself you can only work in absolute quiet.” A few pages might just give you the lighthearted motivation you need to get started again.

Start Where You Are: A Journal for Self-Exploration, by Meera Lee Patel
Sometimes it feels like we need everything else in our lives in order before we can engage in any creative pursuits, but Meera Lee Patel’s interactive journal shows that you can start right where you are this very minute. Patel’s book contains open-ended prompts for writing and drawing like “List five things that always, and immediately, bring a smile to your face” and “If you could own only four possessions for the rest of your life, what would they be?” Other pages include hand-lettered inspirational quotes and beautiful accompanying artwork. The book provides an easy and appealing construct for tired parents or anyone looking to tap into their creative selves.

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, by Anne Lamott
Having Anne Lamott’s work on-hand is like having the warmest, wittiest, most inspiring, and down-to-earth writing mentor at your beck and call. Her pearls of wisdom on creating and creativity are simple but profound and are bound to stick with readers no matter how burdened or overwhelmed they may feel by life’s obligations, responsibilities, and distractions. For example, she suggests to start small—much like her father advised her then–10-year-old brother as he agonized over a report he needed to write about birds. “My father sat down beside him, put his arm around my brother’s shoulder, and said, ‘Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.'”

Henna-Mehndi Designs Coloring Book: For Transcendent Beauty and Inner Peace, by Lark Crafts
As a parent, you may have your pick of Elmo and Dora the Explorer coloring books lying around to choose from. But that may not be enough to get your creative mojo flowing. Try on a grown-up coloring book for size. This one is filled with 86 patterns inspired by the ancient art of mendhi from the Middle East, India, and Pakistan, where the designs are typically painted on the hands and arms with henna. The meditative practice of filling in these detailed floral and paisley designs is sure to set you in a creative and zen frame of mind in no time—though you’ll probably spend hours lost in the intricate images.

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, by Elizabeth Gilbert
Being a parent takes a great deal of courage—and coffee—much like living a creative life does. The author of Eat, Pray, Love paraphrases poet Jack Gilbert in her book Big Magic, asking “Do you have courage to bring forth the treasures hidden within you?” This is essentially the premise of this inspiring and empowering read, which celebrates the magic of a creative life. Within these pages lie useful advice, helpful support, and personal anecdotes about the author’s own creative failures and successes.

Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative, by Austin Kleon
Parents have lots of life advice to offer their children, likely about experiences the parents themselves once had. So understandably, writer Austin Kleon believes that when people give advice “they’re really just talking to themselves in the past.” And so with this book, which was born from a talk he gave to college students in upstate New York, Kleon is advising his 19-year-old self of the 10 things he wished he had known when he was starting out. Among his helpful tidbits are notions like seek out good ideas/borrow from them and be nice—to yourself and others. The tone is super-approachable and the text is easy to digest, making for a fun, quick read.

The Book of Doing: Everyday Activities to Unlock Your Creativity and Joy, by Allison Arden and Adam James Turnbull
In order to be creative, you need to create. In other words, do something! Anything! Whatever it is that might bring you an ounce of joy, do that. And if you’re having trouble with that or want a little more direction and inspiration, check out The Book of Doing. As parents, we’re all about getting the kids to do crafts, play games, and get their hands dirty, but what about us grown-ups? This book offers a collection of ideas for cooking, painting, drawing, exploring, writing, and just doing to get your creative juices flowing and your own inner child’s spirit renewed.
What books would you recommend for parents looking to get creative?