A Return To Innocence: What Kids Can Teach Adults

No point in denying it, adults are the embodiment of stress on steroids. Hard to believe that we were once young and carefree. However, fast forward a few years and we now have families, careers, and buckets of worries about money, health, and the future. Throw in the world’s current dire state of affairs (pandemics and wars), and we’re all but mired in a perpetual cycle of non-stop anxiety.

Having said that, there’s a solution to every problem. And when it comes to stopping that cycle of anxiety and nerves, the answer is closer than you think. In fact, it’s right there in the little tyke sitting next to you. 

There is a lot we can learn from children when we pay closer attention to them. What’s more, they don’t even have to be your own children. You can observe and learn from any child (disclaimer: Please don’t go hanging around children’s playgrounds “for observation.” You may be arrested for predatory behavior).

So, what can kids teach us?

When kids want to cry, they simply cry. And so should you. If you want to bawl, let it all out – plus a few ugly boogers for good measure. Who cares what others might think or if your mascara is running. Nothing and no one looks beautiful while crying, except your wet eyelashes. Crying is good for the soul. I read this sweet story somewhere; a mum was trying to wipe her crying child’s tears away. The child angrily said, “DO NOT wipe my ‘sad’ away. I am not yet done being sad.” So, whether you are the one-tiny-tear-rolling-out-of-the-eye type of crier or you bawl your guts out, let it flow – whenever and wherever you want and don’t dare wipe those “sads” away until you are done. This goes for men too. We know you’re not (that) soulless.

Albert Einstein once said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulates progress, and gives birth to evolution.” Kids have the most fertile imagination and it’s proven to be extremely beneficial for their overall development. My colleague Julie Wolf wrote a whole article about kids’ imaginary play and its benefits, which you can check out here. If we use a little more imagination, we can learn to see things in a whole new light and perspective.

“If you want the truth, ask a child,” goes the adage. And what a gift to have. As adults, we need to have conversation “filters” of course (except when we are drunk). We can’t just blurt out the truth all the time, no matter how strong the urge is. As an employed adult, for example, you may want to refrain from telling your boss what an utter piece of (bleep) s/he is. However, from kids, we can learn to be more upfront about what we want, albeit with a bit more diplomacy.

Kids are naturally curious about anything and everything. The littlest thing piques their interest, they find wonder in everything. With our busy schedules, running around like headless chickens, we forget to stop and look around, we forget to ask questions because, you know, we’re adults and we don’t have time for that – especially their million-a-day questions and curiosity. However, paying attention to that stranger on your way to work may be the kickback you need in your life.

When we become parents, most of us are wrapped in a curtain of love – a love we all agree is beyond what we ever imagined. But, I believe that kids love even more unconditionally than we do. Picture a kid with her stuffed animal, for example. That stuffy is going to be kissed every morning, it will sit next to them at breakfast, it will have its hair combed, it will be read to, it will get the biggest hug and kiss when the child returns from somewhere, and it will sleep next to her or him every single day. Now if that’s not unconditional love, I don’t know what is.

Kids have little use for fear, doubts, and regrets. They rarely dwell on things that don’t serve them any purpose (apart from the “terrible twos” who may indulge in a three-hour tantrum for something that doesn’t serve them any purpose whatsoever). 

We’ve seen those detergent commercials where a kid is full of dirt; the hair, nails, clothes, face, everything in a condition that makes you want to hose them down in the shower for hours. To them though, dirt is pure fun. Next time, just put your rain boots on, dig in (literally) and get dirty with them – worry about the shower later.

I want to be a kid again.

Image: Pexels