They don't hide what they feel or censor their opinions! They speak their truth. They don't censor their words for fear of offending someone. Children also see right through stuff and call you on your bullsh*t! It's very refreshing!
They really bring you into the present. You have to be right there for them: paying attention and listening. You need to have eyes in the back of your head while they run around and play, so they help you expand your awareness.Because you have to put their needs first regularly. They teach you selflessness.
When children ask questions they help you define who you are. I have to figure out very clearly who I am and what I myself believe in when they ask me questions. They don't just hear my words, they feel my honesty, as well as how much I believe in what I'm saying. They'll call me on it if I'm not 100% behind whatever I say. I also find I have to choose my words consciously, as what I say to them could affect their entire lives by shaping their way of thinking! Chances are most of us have scars from our childhood from comments made by people in our lives who were acting from a wounded place of pain and had no idea the impact their unconscious words would make.
Children forgive so much faster than we do. They don't let things weigh them down, they just move on to the next thing and back to having fun again. You also learn to be intuitive around them. Sometimes they don't have the words for what is wrong (or right either) they can express so much with a smile, a laugh or a look.
They notice everything and absolutely everything can be turned into a game for them. What an awesome way to live!! My inner child gets to play along with theirs. Spending time in play with my niece and nephew reminded me of what delights me!!!! We get artsy, creative and have fun.
You have NO idea how big your heart is until you've loved a child - especially one that is practically your own flesh and blood too!!!! Seriously. I can't imagine my life without these two little angels in it! I had no idea how much love I had inside of me until they showed me where it was. And I know that, if called upon, there is WAY more inside!A few years ago I had to move in with my brother and his family for a few months for financial reasons, then when I moved out we started off with family dinners once a week on a Tuesday, then we decided it was too hard to get the kids to sleep on a school night so let's move our dinners to Fridays. As a valentine's gift to my brother and his wife one year I sent them off out for dinner and a movie while the kids and I stayed in with movies and pizza. Then I asked if I could have the kids for an afternoon a week so I started to pick up my niece from school on Friday afternoons as her school is a few blocks from me. Now we do sleepovers and I can't wait to spend time with them every week.
It's so good for everyone. My brother and his wife are both doctors and they work long hours, so it gives them time to go on dates too or just chill out when they get home. Once a week on a Friday evening we do a family dinner. (I'd like to think) it helps them when I'm pitching in. It must be so hard to be parenting 24/7, so an extra pair of hands so you can step back and just breathe (and for someone else to be the 'bad guy' so it's not always you, or just extra adult to add back up adds to the adult's support system ;). These two kids know they are so very very loved with so many of us around willing to give them our time, our attention and our hugs and kisses. They are not spoiled brats, but rather quite grounded with the knowledge that they are loved and loveable. It is not even a question to them.My life is so much richer because of them in my life. When I'm around them I strive to be the best me that I can, to lead by example from my heart. Thus they stretch me to go further and be bigger and better!!!!
xxxxx
This is why I like hanging out with my friends little one. :)
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