Learning about life from children

AS schools remain closed for most students, parents are doing their best to teach their kids from home. Some are complaining, some are struggling while some are enjoying the opportunity.

Learning and studying have always been associated with childhood, and adults are usually the teachers. But does that mean we can’t reverse the role? How about we become the students while our kids become our teachers?

Angela Schwindt, an American mother and coach, once said: “While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.” Once we are able to put aside our ego, pride and prejudice, there are plenty of things we can learn from them.

SIMPLE LIFE

One lesson is about finding happiness in the simplest things. Have you met any normal, healthy child who worries excessively? I don’t think so. Children see the world as a simple, happy place. They wouldn’t care about status and social differences. All they care about is living their fun, happy life.

They would never let daily challenges to permanently bring them down. Yes, they would cry for a while, but they will be laughing again soon after.

Many adults wish they can do so too. Given the long list of tasks and mountains of challenges to overcome, it’s easy to feel helpless. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We can always choose to be happy, no matter what. Always remind ourselves that such daily distractions, stresses and pressures will always be there.

But they must never be in the way for the family. No matter how busy, tough and challenging the week has been, we can reach that place in our hearts where we keep the reserve energy and emotions just for the people we love.

ENJOYING WHAT WE HAVE

Children can turn anything into a plaything. Give them a stick, they will turn it into a sword. Give them cushions, they will make a fort. Give them hangers, they will have guns. Do you remember those happy moments? Using their creativity and grateful attitude, they make do with what they already have and turn them into limitless fun.

Meanwhile, most adults may already have many things, yet still want more. If we are not careful, these limitless desires will cost us dearly. Our health may suffer, relationships affected or worse, family broken.

Be happy with what you already have for this is the sincerest way of being grateful. Let our children show us the way. They are always happy. There is nothing wrong with wanting more. However, we must also be able to draw the line and set our own standard, based on our situation.

This would help us to have a better perspective that while we may not get everything the world has to offer, we are getting and keeping the things that really matter such as the warmth, affection, kindness and love of our family.