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What life lessons has being a parent afforded you? What have you learned from a child/children in your life?
I am endlessly amazed at the growth that I have experienced as a mother of a four year old boy. I know I am my sons first teacher but by golly the things I learn about myself and the world every day!! Such a gift!
I know that children have taught us all something, whether we are a parent or not.
Please share your stories!!
Topics:
Life Lessons children parenting teaching wisdom
Michael McWatters
Being a parent has given me a new perspective on the fact that we all started out as children. Now when I look at adults, I am often reminded that they, too, were once children. It has altered my view of humanity. For example, now when I see a homeless person, I think, "That person was once a little baby, and maybe he was deeply loved by someone else." In another way, it reminds me that we are always children inside, capable of childlike wonder and curiosity, but also the selfishness and intolerance of a child as well.
Salim Solaiman 50+
To succeed one need aim high...to be happy one need to look below..
From kids continuously I am learning that I don't know much as uanble to answer their curious questions..
John Penn
Mary M. 50+
I think that having children affords a sneak peek into your past.
It has also helped me to remember how easy it is to let go of bad feelings after an argument. (forgive and forget)
My kids will be arguing one minute, and the next they'll be working together on making frozen popsicles from orange juice.
I have also learned to laugh more, and sing more........we break out in song all the time.....One of our favorites, which we know by heart:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EQt_xFOGN8
I have also learned to listen.....really listen. Because you know how sometimes you are doing the dishes and your mind is 100 miles away, and your son is standing in the kitchen rattling away about their favorite toy or cartoon show, and you're like "uhuh....uhuh....." and then you smell smoke?.........well, sometimes your kid is trying to tell he that he set fire to his legos while playing by mistake....LOL. Just kidding...but you get the point right?
Fritzie Reisner 100+
Barry Palmer 50+
The big lesson is that people are extremely complicated, complex, and are essentially unknowable. People are what they are, and attempts to apply ideological principles to other people is foolish. Even when we manage to come to some agreement about principles, circumstances can make it impossible to keep that agreement. (Politically, this is reflected in our tradition of civil disobedience.)
Raising children is far more art than science, and we should proceed humbly, flexibly, prepared to learn and change. I never claimed to be a good father, and never will. My children are all grown up and have their own children, and now they think that I was a great father; but they did not think so during their teens and early twenties, and I think that first assessment was more accurate. (Even so, it sounds good to hear them say it.) All parents should try to be good parents, but that goal is very difficult to define. Always, try to be a loving parent, every moment.
greg dahlen 20+
Lawren Jones 10+
Autumn Frisco 10+
Respect is not fear and awe; it...[is]the ability to see a person as he is, to be aware of his unique individuality. Respect, thus, implies the absence of exploitation. I want the loved person to grow and unfold for his own sake, and in his own ways, and not for the purpose of serving me. [Eric Fromm]