If there’s one thing I’ve learned since becoming a mom, it’s that I have (and probably always will) more to learn about life as I walk with my children on this journey. After welcoming two babies in the past two years, I firmly believe that any level of education, expertise, or general life experience has nothing to do with the lessons we can learn from our children.
Life as a mom to an eight-month-old and two-year-old is full of teachable moments. Not just for my little ones but for myself. Just by being themselves, my little people show me that there is a wealth of wisdom to be found every day.
5 Lessons We Can Learn From Our Children
Here are some lessons we can learn from our children.
1. Every Moment is a Gift
If you’ve endured pregnancy and childbirth, adoption, foster care, or any other route to holding your baby in your arms, you know how dangerous the journey to having a baby can be. As your little bundle grows into their personality, you realize how quickly each age and stage goes by. One minute they are devoured and sleep all day. The next, they run as fast as they can in the opposite direction to protest leaving the splash pad at the end of a jam-packed day. Time waits for no man when it comes to raising a man. Just look at your baby.
2. Wonderful Things Are All Around Us
Babies and toddlers are experts at appreciating simple things. Whether stopping to observe an ant passing through a crack in the sidewalk or pausing to admire a dandelion in the middle of an empty field, they notice the small details of our surroundings that we often ignore in our adult lives. One lesson we can teach our children is to slow down and appreciate the little things in life. Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder – and for our little sidekicks, it’s everywhere.
3. It’s OK to Speak Your Mind
When they’re old enough, toddlers speak their minds – and don’t hold back. While it can lead to some embarrassing moments for parents, the burst of language (unfiltered, then) that happens in the early years is one of the many wonderful things about having a baby. Is there anything more satisfying than hearing your two-year-old master the art of saying “no, please stop” when it comes to standing up for themselves against bossy older kids on the playground – or pushy ones person asking for a hug? Toddlers can teach us all about being direct with our thoughts.
4. Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover
My oldest was on the small side for most of his youth. Strangers in public, sometimes, assume he’s my second child’s twin (which is a stretch). Sometimes people are surprised to learn that there is 18 ½ months between my two little ones. They were even more surprised when they heard my little-but-mighty daughter start a whole conversation with them. My point here? Babies and toddlers are amazing at humbling the rest of us. Regardless of how naughty, and lovable they are, another lesson we can learn from our children is that our little people should not be underestimated. Similarly, no one should. Just by being themselves (and being a little unbelievable), our babies can teach us not to make assumptions about anyone, and that we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.
5. Life Can Be Simpler Than We Think
It doesn’t take much to make a baby or toddler happy. If their basic needs are met, and they receive lots of love, they have what they need to grow, thrive, and have lots of fun. In addition, babies and toddlers are willing to smile at – or even walk up to and make friends with – strangers. They are completely innocent and unapologetically real, and they can teach us all to embrace simplicity and not overcomplicate things. Babies and toddlers teach us to be kind, love big, and, in other words, enjoy life.
Parenting the earliest years of childhood can be murky at times, but one thing is clear: Our children have a wealth of wisdom and insight to share throughout the journey. It is often said that a child’s first teacher is their parent. I would also say that any parent’s best teacher is their child, especially their baby or toddler. The lessons we can teach our children are incredible. And I don’t know about you, but I’m happy to learn and grow as much as possible from the lessons my little people have to offer. They are truly infinite and invaluable.
