Let me begin by saying, I'm not a parent. I have absolutely no knowledge of what being a parent is like or what the challenges they face everyday are. I do, however, have younger siblings and have been around children my entire life. Something that has always irritated me is when parents get mad at their children for being children. I am definitely not against punishment of children, how else will they learn right from wrong? There is a significant difference between punishing a child for having an attitude, and belittling a child for asking a question. I certainly think if I were to become a parent in the late future, I would not be a perfect one. I would like to think though, that I would celebrate and embrace all that comes with having kids: the messes and questions that come with it. This is why you should let your kids be little:
1. (Cliché) They will grow up before you know it.
I still think of my little sister as a five year old who didn't know how to say the word "ketchup." Then last month, for her birthday, she asked me for eye-shadow...I'm sorry, what? My boyfriend's niece has never pronounced an "r" ever in her life. Then last week she says, "sister," like it is no big deal. First of all, how dare you? As cheesy as it is, they really are young adults in no time. Enjoy them being little.
2. You can clean up their paint set in 10 minutes. You'll keep their finger paintings forever.
My dad saved boxes upon boxes of art projects my brothers and I would do as kids. I know it seems like a hassle to set up their easel, help them cut paper snowflakes, or decorate for Halloween; they'll remember it forever. If anything, enjoy them being off the computer for 20 minutes.
3. How do you expect kids to learn without asking questions?
We have 100 questions a day too, we just have Google. They don't know how to work Google yet. They're experiencing life, if they are 5 years old they have been on the planet for 1,825 days. Of course they have loads of questions, they don't know what anything is. Your child thinks you are the smartest person in the world capable of answering anything and everything; please don't roll your eyes when they ask you where squirrels sleep.
4. Being a kid is way more fun than being an adult.
Imagine believing in Santa again, thinking sheet forts are the coolest, watching cartoons all day, and making up your own little world in your room again. Why would you want to take that away from a child by making them feel stupid asking a question, or acting frustrated when they want to do an activity? I always say I wish I could be 9 or 10 again for one day so I could play Webkinz or American Girls and not be judged. Let them have fun.
5. Time with your kids is never time wasted.
Some of my favorite memories as a kid I now realize required $0. I loved when my parents would play barbies or beanie babies with me. I loved going to the lake and even the grocery store. Not everything has to be Six Flags or Disney World (although both awesome) sometimes it can just be a trip to the library.
6. They'll remember.
I promise even if they don't act like it, they will remember you letting them make a homemade slip n slide. They'll remember you letting them play dress up constantly. They will remember random trips to the Pet Store or Park for no reason. On the other side, they will remember if you never wanted to spend time with them. They will remember empty promises and how much effort you did or did not put in.
7. One day, you will wish you could have it back.
Even if it seems annoying or too much for today, one day you'll wish you had their mess to clean up. You will miss finding Barbies in the sink from a spa day, being dragged into the Disney store every time you go to the mall, watching Toy Story and A Bugs Life excessively, and cleaning up paint off their hands. Before you know it they'll be driving, graduating, and moving out. Enjoy today because I know it seems like forever away, but it is a lot closer than you think.
