The Kids Taught Me...A Lesson in Tie Dye

Depending on your age, “tie dye” evokes different emotions. For some, it’s a flashback to hazy days in the 60’s and 70’s and represents an anti-compliant aura with a free spirit and fight-the-power vibe. For others, it’s a flashback to the 80’s and the resurgence of the “hippie” art form that was a wardrobe including smiley faces, peace signs and yes, tie dyed everything. And finally, to our younger generation, tie dye represents a free spirited, fun filled activity from day camp, or in this case, for a student group.

My stress level was admittedly high at the thought of dyeing 30 minimally printed, white t-shirts with 20 kids, no kitchen and having never been the go-to adult in a tie dye activity. After a bit of Googling, a triad of rubberband bags, a hot pot, 10 gallon tubs, scavenged food service gloves, and an admission from me to the group that I was not experienced in this and that we were in it together for better or worse, I went for it.

While binding my own shirt, I watched the kids with experience guide those who had no clue why we were twisting fabric and putting rubber bands all over the shirts.

I watched as some, who had no idea how a pattern was going to emerge from the tub of blue (almost black) dye absorbed into the t-shirt/rubber band wads, studied the strange brew with suspicion.

I watched as kids used smartphones to carefully time the dip and how their eyes widened as we used kitchen tongs to pull shirts from the deep colored water, place them in warm water, then into the sink for a cold water bath.

I watched their faces as I unskillfully removed my rubber bands revealing white rings that made my shirt look like jellyfish had made the impression.

I watched as they revealed their own designs, each with varying shades of blue, differing numbers of spirals, circles and what one described as a “vein” pattern.

I watched as some became laundry experts as they helped each other hang their damp shirts on a clothesline dead in the middle of campus; many of whom had never seen a real clothesline and hadn’t used clothespins for anything other than crafts.

I watched as the pride in their work spread a spirit of camaraderie that I’d hoped would flow through them, regardless of the outcome of the t-shirts.

From my watching, my kids taught me to have faith in the process the same way they had faith that a shoulder sit and reach to a nearby tree would help lengthen our clothesline. My watching showed me my new students’ leadership styles and personalities were as different as the t-shirts hanging on that line, but that somehow, they all go together, all compliment one another and are better for that connectedness. The expedited cleanup, taught me just how much I can rely on them to be creative, innovative and complete the job when it’s time.

It’s my kids that taught me. My kids that faced the challenge and came out better for the wear on the other side. My kids made it happen. All I had to do was design, get out of the way and just, watch the magic that is a child given an opportunity to thrive. It’s going to be an incredible year.