5 Things You Can Learn from Your Child

Rebecca Lewis February 24, 2015

As parents, we are our children’s first teachers. We are the first people to teach our kids good values and right conduct. As parents, we aim to impart to our children the wisdom we’ve gained in our many years of existence. We want them to take the right path and become the best person they can be.

And too often than not, we are so engrossed in teaching them what to do and not to do that we often minimise their capability to also give us life lessons. Yes, young as they are, our children have very special ways of teaching us life lessons that can make us happier and more resilient.

So take time to look at your child, observe them as they do their thing, and be open to the learnings they are about to share with you.

Be honest about all things.

Kids don’t lie. If they are hurt, disappointed or frustrated, they say it. They don’t hide it from anyone. If they are happy, they show it. If there is something they do not like, kids talk about them. They are very open and vocal about their experiences, which is something we adults no longer do. We try to conceal our feelings, especially if they will show our weaknesses. But there’s nothing to be afraid about being vulnerable. Be honest to yourself, and be honest to other people. Life gets happier when you are.

There’s nothing you have to change about yourself.

You are beautiful just the way you are. It is something that children can teach us. They don’t really care about what they wear, whether they a scratch on the face, or dirt in their hands. They are just happy of what they are. Whereas adults often think that something is wrong with them that needs to be fixed. The truth is there is nothing to fix.

Life is an adventure.

Life is full of adventures. And kids love adventure. If they fall and get wounded whilst trying to explore their environment, they don’t get discouraged. Sure, they cry. But still they get up and try again. The hurt and pain don’t stop them from the next experience. You were once an adventurous kid, for sure. But as you get older, the sense of adventure just disappears. You probably get too easily discouraged the first time you failed. Look at your child. Don’t be afraid to try things, to experience new things, and to explore.

Live in the present.

A very special lesson your child wants you to learn is this – be present. A romantic dinner with your spouse will just like be any other regular dinner at home when you don’t immerse yourself in the present moment and actually enjoy it. Don’t get too caught up with your worries. Studies show that 85% of what we worry about don’t actually happen. So there’s no point of stressing yourself out over and over again. Set a schedule for worrying, so it does not affect the rest of your day.

Trust yourself.

It is time to trust that gut feeling – that intuition of yours. This is the wisdom you came here with. You have that inner intelligence that knows what’s best for you at this moment. A lot of times you just have to trust yourself, and not depend on others, to make decisions. You don’t have to do something because it’s what you think others think are right. You’ve got to do it because you know it is the right thing for you to do.