The Wisdom of Children – How We Can Learn From Little Ones
Children have a wonderful way of adding perspective to the often crazy lives we lead. I’m not sure when/where we adults lose the optimism and excitement for life that children possess.
I keep a little journal of Lukisms, when I can remember to write them down. I have accumulated a few recently that deserve sharing. Michelle Lee, aka Supermom, has graciously added an adorable story of her own as well.
1. “Mommy, you look perfect.”
As part of Luke’s continued obsession with my iPhone, he took a picture of me one evening. I was not at my height of beauty splendor at this particular moment – I had the post-run, no make-up, messy hair look going for me. After I looked at this rather scary close-up shot which revealed one too many wrinkle, I said, “Luke, I better delete this one before anyone else sees it. I look terrible!” He looked at me with a look of total horror on his face and responded: “Ohhhh, mommy, I think you look perfect!”
Our children see our beauty from the inside out. Why can’t we see that in ourselves?
We are our own worst critic. Our own fears and gremlins are the greatest ones standing in our way of what we might accomplish.
Maybe it’s time to view ourselves without the filter – then we’d see the talents, beauty and gifts we all have stored within.
2. “Mom, it’s going to be a good day tomorrow.”
Luke had a bad day recently. I never really knew why – not enough sleep, didn’t eat enough, someone said something mean at school, or maybe he just woke up on the wrong side of the bed. No matter what we said to him that evening, he cried. When he lost at Uno, he cried. When we told him it was time to go to bed, he cried.
Rather than getting on his case for being a baby, I told him it was o.k. if he was having a bad day. After all, I continued, “I have more than my fair share of them.”
When I went in to check on him after he’d been in bed a few minutes, he gave me a knuckle and said, “Mom, it’s going to be a good day tomorrow.”
What if someone gave us a knuckle every night and convinced us the next day would be a good one?
3. “I just love our house.”
I think it has something to do with Alicia Keys and Jay Z, but Luke is obsessed with New York City. Every time he sees a picture of the Big Apple, on TV or in a magazine, he’ll quickly turn to me and ask, “Mom, when are we going to New York?” Lately, however, the obsession to visit New York has evolved to living in New York. But I delved further and asked if he was really sure he wanted to leave Boise, he answered: “Maybe we need to stay here. I just love our house.”
How much time do we spend wishing we had a better kitchen, nicer yard or different furniture (or in my case, how much do I wish I could replace the 20 year old beige carpet with hard wood floors?). Luke loves his house – and his home.
Why can’t we?
- 4. “Mommy, how do you have such big boobies?”
Luke has discovered boobs at the ripe young age of 6. He reads my More Magazine before I do now, just in case there are some 40+ women inside who are scantily clothed. He flipped by a Spanish TV show last week and told me, “Mommy, those are the biggest boobs I have ever seen.” A few days later, he wanted to play the “Big Booby” game. Even last night, he said, “Mommy, how do you have such big boobies?”
I must admit that one was music to my ears. When was the last time anyone remotely suggested I had big breasts?
No matter how big our bellies or how flat our chests, things could always be worse.
And someone will always admire us, bra size and all.
5. Children know what it’s all about.
The best thing about children, apart from the fact of how cool they are, is they are able to live in the moment. Enjoy the now and not worry about what’s next. It’s an awesome gift that we tend to forget when we get older.
One night we were working on jigsaw puzzles on the dining room table. We had like four spread out in different places and were working up a storm trying to beat the other person.
Here’s an actual conversation with my four year old.
Olivia: “ Mommy, when you get done with yours you can help me.”
Michelle: “Okay.”
Olivia: “I’m sorry you have to do everything.”
See, a child recognizes very early how important her mommy is. Isn’t that awesome?
What’s even more awesome – our children. Maybe we need to listen to their pearls of wisdom a little more closely.
I love this! We can all learn from children :) 
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My favorite: “I love you Dad. Just kidding.”
I love this! We can all learn from children