I realized that these homes lack scrap paper on which the children could write, draw or simply doodle on the back. Since computers are beyond their means, there is no old computer paper to reuse. Only Jane makes scrap paper available. She has a large roll of newsprint that had been purchased from the newspaper office and given to her. In the course of my study, I provided many of the participant families with scrap paper and the children were extremely appreciative. While I was talking to the parents, the children often drew pictures of their families, favourite television characters, hearts, flowers and trees or wrote short notes with messages like "I love you Mom."

Jill displays some of her children's artwork from school in the kitchen, but there was no other sign of any of the other children's works in view in the kitchen, living room or entrances in any of the other homes. Lynne shares that her daughter likes to write stories and draw accompanying pictures. When I asked to see something she had made, it took Lynne some time to locate a page that was tucked away under some papers on the kitchen table. Michelle also saves many of the pictures and stories that her children make; she keeps them in her bedroom closet.

Both Andrea and Julie say they enjoy writing. The teachers of Andrea's children marvel at Andrea's fine penmanship and the well-written notes to school. Julie started a journal as a way to relieve stress. In contrast, Natalie reveals that she writes very little, "I wrote a letter I think once in my life. I hate writing! It's not something for me…I'd never gotten into it."