Little ones have lots to teach us
Originally published in August 2005, The Daily Sentinel, Grand Junction, Colo.
Kids teach almost as much as they learn. Next week, my wife and I will finish our second year of lessons with our younger girl.
Our daughter’s lessons include the obvious (language, potty training, getting dressed, “please” and “thank you”) and the not-so-obvious (don’t sit on the dog’s tummy, dancing with big sister is a great way to blow off steam, grabbing Mommy’s ear like that will slowly drive her crazy). She takes in knowledge so fast it’s intimidating.
While I can only guess about some of the things our little girl is learning from us, here are a few things I’m sure Lisa and I have learned from her:
- You can never have enough small blankets, washcloths or bibs.
- Parents need night-lights more than little kids do. They save us from tripping over toys between our bed and the crib.
- Get used to the idea of completing tasks without complete privacy or they’ll never get done. This includes going to the bathroom.
- It’s only fair to learn to enjoy looking at pictures of other people’s kids because you’re going to want them to look at pictures of yours someday.
- Musicians who make music that appeals to both parents and small kids are rare jewels. A couple of our favorites are Trout Fishing in America and Sweet Sunny South.
- Watch the shows your kids do or they’ll be exposed to stuff you don’t like. That goes with every so-called kid-friendly station, including PBS, the Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and Noggin.
- Teething hurts. A lot.
- Infant formulas of Tylenol and Motrin are a gift from God.
- Pumping your kid full of sugar and then expecting her to behave like an angel is folly.
- Pumping your kid full of sugar and then letting her run wild in a crowd of strangers is stupidity.
- Crayon usually washes off, but not always. It’s not the end of the world when it doesn’t.
- If you don’t want it to get stained, don’t consider new carpet until the kids are at least 5.
- Don’t expect a child to sit still and pay attention in church or anywhere else if you’re not prepared to do it yourself.
- Small kids don’t get embarrassed.
- Never glare at people who are struggling with a noisy toddler. At least they’re trying to deal with the problem. The ones who deserve your scorn are the ones who appease their kids by releasing them to wander without supervision.
- If you leave your shoes where your little girl can find them, she’s going to put them on, stumble around, then leave them somewhere peculiar.
- Girls develop a fascination with dressing up and getting their hair done early in life. Get used to it and focus on teaching them to put away the princess outfits as they finish with them instead of piling them on the couch.
- Buy loose-fitting clothes for your child or she’ll outgrow them in a month. Once she’s outgrown something, take it out of her dresser and either get rid of it or store it because it’ll never fit her again.
- Finally, a hard one: A child of 2 isn’t a baby anymore and she’s not going to stop growing no matter how much you order or plead. The cliché is true: Enjoy it while it lasts or you’ll miss the most important thing you’ll ever be a part of.
Happy birthday, my little one.