For the most part, our parents let us do our homework without any interference or supervision from them. They trusted us to get our work done, and we generally did. I can only think of two times our mother took active part in our projects and one was in early grade school. We were supposed to create something for a school exhibit. Our mother suggested a plan, got the supplies, and completed both me and my sister's project.

This was a little frustrating at the time, because the supplies were quite appealing, and we pretty much were not allowed to touch them. She got us each a tray - like that a waiter or waitress might use to carry beverages. She got some sand, and some tiny Japanese figurines - people and lacquered arches and little bridges and shrubs, and mirrors for water. She made two scenes - one in each tray. We were not to touch. There was some difficulty getting them into the car without objects toppling or sand spilling, but we did. And those were our displays for the school fair.

I'm smiling as I type. We were fascinated too, watching her assemble these, her enthusiasm and the scenes taking shape. Those sand trays Mama assembled were really quite beautiful. 

Some two decades later, this activity became a core part of my practice as a psychologist. Called Sand Tray or Sand Play, the client gets to assemble a scene using a tray of sand and their choice of figurines. Clients like this. I enjoyed the ones I've made off and on, and the ones colleagues and clients have put together. The creative process has calming effects, and it's a useful, appealing way to non-verbally process stumbling blocks in life.