Can I let you in on a little secret? Despite what social media may tell you, I do not have it all figured out. I do not have it all together. While I spend my time trying to educate my children, little do they know that they are always teaching me life lessons. I’ve learned more from being a mama to these 3 than from all my years of schooling, and I’m still learning every day.
Life Lessons My Children Taught Me:
- DREAM BIG – I have always been somewhat of a dreamer, however as I’ve gotten older, the reality of life gets a lot bigger than the dreams. I love to sit and ask my children about their wants and goals. And in listening to them I can tell that they have huge dreams and that they wholeheartedly believe in them. It may be partially because life hasn’t jaded them. Whatever the reason, they have an uncanny way of believing that possibilities are limitless and their grandiose dreams will undoubtedly come true.
- ASK FOR WHAT YOU NEED – As adults we tend to think that people can read our minds and know exactly what we want and need. However, we know that doesn’t convert very well. My children innately know that. If they are tired and need to rest, they say so. If they are hungry and want a snack, they say so. If they are bored and want to play with me, they say so. They make no assumptions that I just know what they need. They ask.
- BE INQUISITIVE – My children like most, ask at least 100 questions a day. To the point that I have defaulted to “Sweetheart, you can ask Siri, if butterflies have eyelashes.” But I understand that asking questions and being inquisitive is important to their cognitive development, and helps them gather necessary information needed to develop effective problem-solving skills, however, it also helps them broaden their understanding of how the world works. Sometimes as an adult, we can get stuck in knowing only what we know but we need to incorporate some this childlike inquisitiveness to continue to broaden our worlds.
- BE FAIR – I remember one evening I was busy making dinner and listening to my kids bicker as siblings do. I remember hearing my daughter say “That’s not fair!” I recall piping in and saying “Well truthfully, life is not fair.” And she sweetly retorted, “No it is not but you should try to make it so, whenever possible.” Her response stopped me in my tracks and made me rethink my take on “fair”.
- MAKE YOUR OWN RULES – My children love to play all types of games, however in any game that they play the rules are always very fluid. I can remember playing tag with my son and I was “it”. I tagged him and told him that he was now “it”, he turned to me and said no Mommy that’s not how we play.” I was confused and I asked him how that was possible and he said: “We make our own rules.” Now initially I was a bit taken aback by that statement. And wanted to say you can’t do that.
- BE BRAVE – My youngest is such a shining example of bravery & courage. She does not let anyone or anything she fears to deter her from the things that are important to her.
- FORGIVE QUICKLY – I have watched one of my children pick up a toy and clunk the other one in the head. And then watched the series of events play out. The hit child will cry, the one who did the hitting will sincerely apologize and the child that was hit will say “I forgive you.” They hug it out and move on. They don’t hold grudges.
- BE SILLY – Being a grown-up is very serious business, I mean there’s bills and grocery shopping, In watching my children I have learned that it is ok to be silly and have fun. It’s not a crime to enjoy life even as an adult. All the serious business will still be there for the rest of your life, so you might as well lighten it up whenever you can.
- TRY NEW THINGS – If it is different and new, you better believe my children are down for it. I’m sure this coincides with their inquisitive nature but my children are always willing to try something new. I am a creature of habit and they have really stretched me out of my comfort zone.
Being a mom has been one my life’s greatest joys. I am extremely humbled by the 3 amazing children that God has entrusted to me. And I am beyond blessed to be able to learn from them every day.
Let me know of some life lessons that children in your life have taught you.
