6. 10 Lessons your child could teach you for a change.
I’d like to take credit for being the greatest teacher in my kids lives, but the truth is there is a whole lot I could learn from them! Here are 10 lessons kids could teach me:
1. How to stop eating when I’m full.
My kids eat when they’re hungry and they stop eating when they’re full. What is that life like? I eat because it’s there and I don’t stop until it’s gone. And then I have dessert.
2. How to run to everywhere.
Kids run all over the place. Need to get the mail? They run. Need to grab something from their bedroom? They run. Need to go to the bathroom? They run. The only time they DON’T run is when you tell them to “hurry up”. When did we stop running to stuff?
3. How to go to bed at a reasonable hour.
Do you know how much more pleasant I would probably be if I slept more? I’m a night owl, but I’m not even that productive at night. I just stare and click and watch reality tv. There is no good reason for me to be up. If I only parented myself half as well as I parent my kids!
4. How to make friends.
Kids are so good at just being like, “wanna play?” Adult friendships feel like so much more work.
5. How to get my way.
My kids wear me down so easily and I cave to them all the time. They are persistent, they are argumentative, they make good points and they are persuasive. If I could just take a page from their book on how to not take no for an answer, I’d be filthy rich. Turns out I got old and started taking no for an answer. You don’t want to work with me? Okay bye. You don’t wanna play? Okay bye. Somewhere in life I lost all the effs to give.
6. How to be awed.
I remember taking my kids to the Pacific Science Center in Seattle and it’s filled with scientific exhibits. Learn about hurricanes! Learn about prisms! Learn about Dinosaurs! My kids loved every bit of it, but behind my encouraging smile was a woman watching the clock for our three-hour parking meter to expire. I need to remember to look at the world with that same awe!
7. How to be honest.
I suppose it’s good to have some sort of filter, but one thing I appreciate about kids is how they can just cut right to the core. No small talk, no beating around the bush, you don’t have to play any guessing games with them. The other day my friend was hosting a get-together, she was rebounding from illness and I was like, “are you sure you are up for this?” She hesitated but ultimately said to come on over. But did she really mean it? Was she just being polite? We could learn more about being honest from kids…although they do lie a lot too.
8. How to play.
Kids can turn anything into a fun game. They let loose and laugh and it’s so fun to watch. If only more adults could live with that same carefree quality.
9. How to not care what I look like.
I paint on a layer or two of makeup nearly any time we leave the house. I consider my outfit, “did I wear this shirt the last time I went to the school pickup line? I don’t want his teacher to see me in the same shirt.” I overthink and care too much. My kids, on the otherhand, would wear fur-lined boots all summer long. Kainoa would puts on “tomorrow’s outfit” at bedtime so that he would not have to change in the morning. It’s hilarious and awesome and I want to be like them.
10. How to not get embarrassed.
My face turns red just talking to my kid’s teacher and yet my kids can insult another human to their face and not even blink about it. Is that ignorance? Confidence? I’m not sure, but I’d like a slice.
I still have some learning to do. Clearly!
Now it’s your turn!
Choose a prompt, post it on your blog, and come back to add your name to the link list below. Be sure to sign up with the actual post URL and not just your basic blog URL (click on the title of your post for that URL). For good comment karma try to comment on the three blogs above your name!!
The Prompts:
1. Share a thing or two you could learn from kids.
2. Talk about one of your biggest pet peeves on the road.
3. Write a list of 6 things you are looking forward to.
4. Share a Thanksgiving recipe you will be cooking up this month.
5. Write about a lie you once told.
6. Write a blog post inspired by the word: free.
Claire S says
A great list! I too have learned so much from my children, especially as I see some of my bad traits in them – lol!
Abby says
Oh, these are all so good and true!
John Holton says
I especially like the GIF with #4, how the little boy is dancing and acting goofy for the little girl and she just turns and walks away…
Wrote this Thursday, and never did link it…