What I've Learned from my Children...So Far

Having 3 children in the house on a daily basis, as well as one extra 2 1/2 year old (my niece) I have found that children have a very different view of life than adults. Everyday to a child is an adventure, literally. Often times their adventure turns into our adventure as well. For instance, my son is 7 years old and in the 2nd grade. Every day he comes home with a new fact or game or idea. Recently I learned that when my parents "things have changed since I was a kid" is completely true. My son explained to me that Pluto was no longer considered a planet, instead it was a dwarf. I thought he was kidding, but no, its true. I learned that I am not the only one completely in the dark on this when I told my nurse this very fact, she was shocked. Being a boy, my son as also taught me that men are seriously children at heart. My son and husband have smelly "fart" contests, wrestling matches, wet willies and wedgies. Its a constant, from the moment my husband comes home until the children go to sleep.

My girls and niece are 2, 3, and 4 years old. My 4 year old is my drama queen. Recently she told me she "had never been so angry in my entire life" with regard to a movie, I have no idea why, but this was her mood at that very moment. She is also a con, summing up a person and using the thing that would most get an "awe she is so sweet" response. Also, my young girls are brutally honest! They will tell you quite plainly that you have a big butt, your breath smells like poo, and that your clothes do not work for you. I am not one to quash their opinions or imagination, but I try to remind them to be polite as much as possible.

Also, I have learned that when the house is quiet it means that some or all of the children are up to something.

Example One: We live in a true two story home. My son talked my 4years old into climbing up the stairs on the outside of the rail, climbing out onto the landing at the top (still on the outside of the rail). He then proceeded to put some throw pillows on the tile floor below and beg my daughter to jump. Luckily she did not do this and I caught them before anyone could get hurt.

Example 2: When my son was younger, he was playing quietly around the corner from me. When he came to tell me that he had made a train track, I obviously thought it was with is train set. Imagine my surprise when I found out the train tracks were made with an ENTIRE roll of toilet paper up and down the hallway and stairs. Again, quiet means something is UP!

My girls played quietly in the toy room (so I thought) when I came to check on them, I found them instead in the bathroom with my lipstick. They had put it on all by themselves-not just on their lips but all around their mouths. I had to take a picture!
I took the picture then proceeded to tell them what a great job they did, but from now on, let mommy put the lipstick on. Baby wipes are a necessity!

One interesting thing I have found is that children have their own ideas about growing up. My 4 year old explained to my 3 year old that when they get older they will be able to pee standing up like their brother. I had to laugh at this, and then of course explain again that boys and girls have different parts and only boys can stand-up to pee!

The imagination of children is never-ending. I encourage the imagination, after all, it quickly leaves us as we get older. We give up some of the magic and settle for reality. When you look through the eyes of your children you find that anything is possible, and reality is simply what you make of it. If we could bottle the magic of a child, imagine the possibilities.