I’ve learned a lot from my son in his 2.5 years of life thus far. It seems that he’s always teaching me something, if I just take the time to listen. I’ve realized that toddlers see the world in a completely different way than we do as adults, and sometimes that can be a really good thing! Here are 5 life lessons that can be learned from toddlers.
- Confident in their own skin – My son is totally fine with walking around in just a diaper. He feels no insecurity about this, he couldn’t care less if he were clothed or not. Now, I’m not saying we should all go around naked, but there is definitely much to be learned from the way he’s so comfy in his own skin and has no worries for the way his body looks or how others might be perceiving his skin tone, pudgy belly or blemishes.
- Fashion – Toddlers wear what they want, not what they think their friends will find “cool”. If my son sees a shirt with a motorcycle on it, he’s wearing it. End of story. It doesn’t matter that his friends think tractors are more hip than motorcycles. He really doesn’t care that some of his friends might prefer “Dora” pajamas to his favorite “Thomas” PJs. He wears what he likes.
- Honesty – My son has yet to figure out that if he lies he could attempt to avoid trouble. He will proudly answer “yes” when I ask whether he hit his friend or colored on the wall. He’s owns up to his own actions. True, toddlers also don’t have filters. We don’t want adults running around speaking everything that’s on their minds, but I think we could all use an extra dose of honesty in our lives and people who aren’t afraid to take accountability for their actions and words!
- Rudeness is irrelevant – I remember watching my son playing one day with a particularly grumpy little friend of his. The other little guy was in a mood and unhappy with everything my son did that day. If I were in my boy’s shoes I would have been a nervous wreck, wondering if my friend was angry with me or if I had done something wrong. I would have become grumpy and angry myself for the rest of the day. But 2 year olds? Sure, they want their friends to be happy and play with them, but when their friends are cranky or rude they don’t let it bother them, my son just went about his business ignoring his friend’s grumpiness until the other boy was in a better mood. He’s a compassionate child, but he didn’t let his friends mood affect his own happy day.
- In your Face – This one goes along with number 3 but I thought it deserved it’s own mention. If a toddler wants your attention he’s in your lap, pulling your hair or climbing on your head. He doesn’t sit back quietly wishing you might come talk (play) with him, he doesn’t drop subtle hints and then pout when you don’t catch on. Toddlers aren’t afraid to voice their emotional needs to their family, they lay it all out there and expect you to help. And you do, because you love them. I could see this bit of honesty great helping my marriage! No, I won’t go pulling my husband’s hair when I need some attention, but being honest about my feelings goes a lot farther than festering and wishing he knew what I was thinking!
So there you have it, 5 lessons learned from the life of a toddler. What have your kids been teaching you lately?
Audrey says
What you described is just the kind of mindset that Jesus requires of those who want to enter the Kingdom. Thank you for this reminder!
Shell says
I love the honesty of kids!
Penny Lane says
Perfect, just perfect!
Gabrielle says
Oh yes, my toddler is VERY “in your face.” He says “yap, yap” when he wants to sit in my lap and then signs read repeatedly. If he wants attention, he is getting attention!
And your little guy is adorable!
Becky says
Hi! Just stopped over from Amanda’s link up. This is so true! I love the unspoiled confidence of little children…granted it needs some refining, but it is so great at the same time :)
Stephanie Hanes says
Oh yes – so often I wonder who’s learning more – me or my kids. This is a great list filled with some good nuggets of truth. Thanks for this!
Janis Cox says
What an excellent post and so true. Where do we get our foibles and fears? That’s why Jesus says to come as a child, right?
I am following you from Grace Laced Mondays.
Blessings,
Janis http://www.janiscox.com
Kendra @ AProverbs 31 Wife says
I love it! We can learn a lot from these little kids can’t we?
A Little R & R says
I have noticed a lot of these same lessons in my children. And it’s taught me a lot. There is much to be learned from watching our kids: sincerity and not being overly concerned with ourselves or what others think. It’s really a shame that in some things we grow more “mature” and complicated!