If you may be wondering what could be such life lessons that a child can teach to an adult and are going back to the title to check, I would like to emphasize that they are indeed life lessons. Simple lessons that we tend to lose sight of, as we grow up and get entangled in life and the responsibilities that come along with it that we fail to appreciate the simplistic way of looking at it.
Now, let me tell you what I learned from my child.
I am the way I am
It is such a carefree phase of life that you just tend to be yourself and enjoy being yourself. Kids never try to fake emotions and never try to be someone they are not and they don’t like to be. They are just themselves. Possibly, the best part of being a child. Just be yourself and don’t really care or bother about anybody’s judgement.
I love and trust you completely
The first point of contact of a child is his/her mother. She is the child’s world and once they start realizing mother’s love, they tend to reciprocate the emotion that is showered on them, well before they actually understand what it is called. It just doesn’t end with reciprocation. It multiplies in biggest possible ways and is displayed without any inhibition or purpose. Love just flows unconditionally. In no time, trust follows love. One of the most important life lessons is to love and trust someone who loves and trusts you, unconditionally.
I know when to say ‘No’
Saying no is an art. Many of us, especially women and mothers would be unable to do it with grace; thanks to the way we are conditioned as we are brought up. It is high time that we learn the art from our kids.
My child is yet to start talking but understands what we talk to him, right down to every letter.
“Do you want to go to the terrace today?” He nods his head.
“Do you want a glass of milk now?” He shakes his head vigorously.
“Do you want to read that book?” He shakes his head and points to some other book.
Sometimes, I am awed at the way his brain works, gauging every detail of a situation, and expressing with utmost clarity as to what he doesn’t want, more than what he wants.
We do have a long way to go to unlearn some ‘yes’ that we say when we don’t want to and learn the knack of saying ‘no’ from children.
I get up the next moment I fall
The most amazing quality that any child can teach is resilience.
One moment, I see my child getting hit on the chair, but, probably in a less than a couple of minutes, he would be finding ways to another of his mischievous performance. In fact, I would be the one worried to bits about the unexpected accident. Of course, he cries for a minute, out of the sheer intensity of the fall, but, that’s all he reacts. He would be gone the next moment to display more of his antics. I would be running behind him trying to make sure he plays safe.
Such resilience! Wish I could take a leaf out of his book, sometimes. It would look as though the incident never happened.
I am so curious that I observe everything around.
Kids are quite observant. My toddler has his eyes and ears everywhere, literally. Although it might look like he is engaged with his dad, he would most certainly know what I am doing.
I call that curiosity and inquisitiveness. His brain works at breathtaking pace to gather information about the whole picture in a second, observe, process, and make conclusions that we sometimes end up laughing at the way he responds, when we least expect it.
He would be busy having his glass of milk on his dad’s lap and I open the refrigerator for a packet of biscuits. I might not even be in his line of sight. Suddenly, his eyes reveal the joy of hearing the biscuit packets and he tries to wiggle out of his dad. I end up getting scolded for causing distraction.
Such is the level of curiosity to find, and learn that I sometimes think that I could do with an increased percentage of it, myself. This in turn reflects on the marvelous learning curve that he exhibits.
I enjoy the littlest of pleasures, the most.
This is the best part of a child’s nature. They can’t hide their joys and pleasure. They just display, straight and plain, be it joy or grief.
It is priceless to see my child having the time of his life with just a simple toy – a toy which makes sounds or rattles or moves forward; or a book – which has pictures of animals or birds or a lift-the-flap story; or as simple as a glass of water which he pours from one to other and squeals with joy at the accomplishment.
Smallest of joys bring the greatest of happiness. Kids’ behaviours stand example to the statement.
If we learn to appreciate the smaller aspects in life and be thankful for it, life would seem more happy and fulfilling. A true life-lesson to live the moment and be happy taught so simply by a child.
I don’t give up so easily.
Persistence is possibly a major lesson that a child can teach you. Any adult can do with some of it, for sure, as we never have the level of persistence as that of a kid.
My little one displayed some best examples of his persistence when he achieved his milestones. He used to literally fall so many number of times before he began sitting and standing. Though he got tired with all the efforts, he was not ready to give up. We were surprised at his persistence. We have noticed the behaviour at many instances, to achieve what he wants to.
Every child is persistent and determined at their goal; they just don’t fail to drop their gaze at any, until they reach what they aspire to. We can undoubtedly be a little better off drawing a little of their indomitable spirit, once in a while.
Every child is unique in his own way and I’m sure for every mother or father, parenting is a learning and unlearning process through and through.
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