How to write a poem with a toddler

Turns out it is possible and kinda fun

Picture this: It’s spring break 2022 and you have a newly three year old kid. You are headed on a plane (Newark at 5am to be more specific) for a week abroad. You have packed the normal amount of toys/books, but a week without playdates, park friends, good naps and you find you are actually stuck together in the rented apartment you spent weeks researching.

If it seems like I am complaining I’m not. We had a really great time. Ok, maybe a little complaining… But in these times resourcefulness comes out. And since I had poetry on the brain even more than usual, and we were looking at so many new things, I decided to try to write a poem with my daughter.

I can’t guarantee 10/10 success with this prompt. Remember my kid was stuck with me and needed something to do. Not to mention she is pretty much used to my poetry/writing antics at this point. And if she hasn’t accepted who I am, she is at least willing to put up with me. (Sometimes).

Without further ado, are some of my favorite examples of our little experiment and how I managed to pull this off.