The Parent Becomes the Child

                                            The Child Becomes the Parent!      

     Having almost flunked high school because of English and History, and not attending any college or university, I will readily admit to not being the “brightest crayon in the box” (as they say nowadays). 

     However; having said that, my mental, physical, and emotional facilities have keenly noticed through the years that a rough 95% of the folks on this elliptical orb we call earth have no idea as to how to enjoy everyday life.  And it also appears that the problem is not confined to any particular group of individuals in any country…rich or poor, tall or short, fat or skinny, working class or not, or any other classification one might come up with…except one!

     Unless children are mentally, physically, and/or emotionally abused by their parent/s, children have the fantastic and wonderful natural ability to enjoy everyday life. From the second they are born, whether we realize it or not, their minds are actively soaking up their surroundings through all of their senses.  And if their parent/s will read to them as much as possible, even when they are sleeping, the parent/s will be attributing to their children’s future a lot more than they know.

     Soon the children are crawling around on the floor, and wondering what the heck those creatures are (other folks), and what all that other stuff is --- can they throw it? Knock it over? Will it do something funny like bounce? Can they put it in their mouth and eat it? Their minds are not yet filled with a myriad of limitations, and their imaginations are running thither and yon through all of the synaptic connections in their brain, and arriving at hundreds of possibilities.

     They attempt to put things together to see what it might do. If it doesn’t do something, then they just crawl away and find something else…they don’t usually get depressed and mad, they just go find something else to do.

     For the children’s sake, the parent/s soon have to begin saying “no”, or “don’t do that, it will hurt you”, and placing many other limitations on the children…for safety’s sake, and because they love their children. Obviously that is a wonderful thing, for the children learn what is, and what is not good for them.

     But what have the parents forgotten to do?  It’s very important, and something that I have told my son off and on for years…the parents forgot to learn from their children!

     As parents, we realize that we need love to survive and be happy, but we forget that in order to be loved, we must show love.  Children show their love when they climb up on your lap and just lay there, and/or they hug you. You may wish to ask yourself the last time you sat on your mate’s lap, hugged them, and then rested your head on their shoulder?

     They present their love and respect when they ask you what something is, or whey are older, if they can go to someone’s house and play. When is the last time you approached your loved one, and asked them if they would happen to like to go the park with you, and play on the swings? Or scoot down the sliding board?

     Children show spontaneity by suddenly picking up a book or magazine and just paging through it. When is the last time you called your loved one at work, and asked something to the effect: “Guess what I’m wearing in anticipation of when you get home?”

     Children exude happiness, determination, and the ability to succeed, when they are playing with an imaginary friend (that you cannon see or hear).  When is the last time you imagined something you always wanted, made it one of your dreams, and ten became determined that you are going to succeed?

     Children emanate that they need and trust you when they are hurt and come to you for help and consolation.  When is the last time you were hurt for some reason, and told your loved one that you needed him/her?

     At one time or another in our lives, we forget how spontaneous we were, how we imagined how we would live our lives, how we really wanted and needed our loved ones, and showed them through our actions and words…when we first fell in love!

     Folks, this 69 year young male is asking you to trust me on this one!  When you watch and actually listen to your children, you will not only show and prove you love them, but you will be absolutely amazed at what you will learn about living and enjoying life. Then just imagine what you can learn about happiness next!