Yes, a parent can ruin painting.

Today I was painting with a friend at Petroglyph and I noticed a women behind me with her two kids. I'd say they were both around 10. I smiled because they were both excited to get started on their painting, and since I'm a weird child-obsessed pregnant person, I stared at them. A. Lot. Anyways, they were painting different things for their dad as gifts and the mother was totally hovering over them. "Now, make sure you stay in the lines. Here, let me do that part for you. Oh, you made a mistake so we'll have to ask the people how to fix it." Etc, etc. She was jumping at each brush stroke they made. At one point I looked over and she was holding the boys hand as he was painting the piece. Another time I turned around and the mother was painting while the boy was sitting back in his chair and looking around. The poor kids looked miserable. I have never seen painting look so unfun (I don't care that that isn't even a word).

When I was little my dad made me make my own mistakes and learn from them. But seriously? Painting? Who corrects a kid's painting? Or even an adult's painting? It's painting!!!!! I know I can be a control freak sometimes, but I vow to myself that I will not be a parent who takes over my kid's arts and crafts. I want my toddler to be covered in paint and smiling from ear to ear. I want my kid to enjoy coloring without the confines of staying in the lines. I won't freak out if my kid decides to glue his or her hands together, although I hope it doesn't happen more than once. It's all part of learning and it's all supposed to be fun. That mother was a fun kill. I won't be.