Being a child: What and how adults can learn from children
Mahatma Gandhi, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Roger Federer and your child have one thing in common: they can be wonderful role models . So while others are reading the memoirs of great personalities or attending every lecture by their stars, you can make it easier for yourself by simply watching and learning how your child goes through life.
This story is about why we as adults should dare to be children again more often. And it's about the characteristics of children that we can copy in order to go through life easier, more fulfilled and, above all, happier.
The best thing about it: whether you play outside together, go on trips or experience everyday family life together - while you learn from your little one, you spend time with him.
Ten characteristics of children for adults
While we may be able to pick up a trait or two from most famous role models, our children are true masters in so many areas . The nice thing about it: If we perceive the good qualities of our children as so valuable that we want to adopt them into our lives, there is a greater chance that we will want to maintain and promote these positive qualities in our children. Everyone benefits when parents want to learn from their children.
Focus: Children live in the here and now
It may sound strange, but this little creature, fascinated by butterflies one second and diggers the next, can completely focus on the here and now . When children play, do crafts, paint or build, they are completely absorbed in it. What was yesterday and what is tomorrow doesn't matter to them. It's just about the current task. This often amounts to a flow experience - although of course the little ones usually know nothing about this principle. This is an important lesson for us: being children again can help us to be highly focused on our tasks in everyday life or in the office. Or to stop thinking about that stupid tax return when you exercise.
Optimism: Children approach things positively
Especially in the “Can I do it alone” and “I’m the greatest” phases it’s pretty obvious: children don’t know pessimism . They firmly believe that they can achieve what they set out to do. Even if they have failed at ten things before. They usually assume that everything will be fine. We can copy this trait from our children. Without the naivety that sometimes resonates, just: grown up .
Fantasy: Children create their own reality
Sometimes we should just let our inner child be a child. If we then listen to ourselves and leave all the adult norms behind us, we enter one of the most literally fantastic areas of our ego: fantasy. If this is still a bit difficult for you, you can learn how to dream from children . Children create their own reality. Clouds become dragons, shadows become ghosts and stones become diamonds. If we manage to approach our everyday lives with imagination, we gain a lot. We think outside the box more often , we think further and, above all, we are braver . Imagination is particularly important for creative and active people in order to find new ideas or plan adventures.
Just be a child again and play happily
Curiosity: Being a child means trying everything
Adults tend to minimize risks. Curiosity often falls by the wayside: we try new things less often and the structures of our everyday life become more rigid. One of the most important characteristics of children can inspire us to act outside our comfort zone . Children are curious. Whether it's stovetops or drawers, mushrooms, insects or your parents' smartphone: everything is interesting. Everything has to be explored and touched, everything is worth a journey of discovery. So why not learn from children here and, for example, try out new recipes, simply go for a hike through the nearby forest or try out an extreme sport ? And while children may not often be able to assess dangers because of their curiosity, we actually have an advantage here: We can be curious - without burning our hands.
Creativity: Children create everything from nothing
The child gets the latest super duper present for Christmas that they have always wanted - and then plays with the gift wrapping all evening. The reason for this is simple (and an incentive not to overwhelm the child with gifts in general): Children don't need a lot to make a lot out of it. They are courageous, creative and imaginative - and are therefore able to play with a stick and a stone for hours. We can learn something from this: if we are creative, we can cook a feast from a few ingredients. If we dare to be more creative like our child, we can think and act “outside the box”. And always surprise ourselves and those around us. Not to mention that creative solutions at home or at work often save money ...
Resilience: Children always get back up
Many adults quickly give up when something doesn't go as he or she expected. Whether yoga, martial arts, jogging or a new job: If we reach our limits or have a negative experience , we are all too quick to throw in the towel . Children are different . We can learn from them to get up again and again. To keep going and learn from mistakes – until we succeed . And even in ultimate failure, we can learn from children. Because then the little ones get help . A positive quality that helps us advance in family life, office or sport.
Humor: Being a child again means laughing a lot more
Laughing is healthy . It releases tension , releases happiness hormones and, in the best case scenario, is contagious. If you sometimes find yourself unable to laugh, you can take a look at how your child does it. Children laugh a lot. And gladly. They find things funny that we often hardly understand. But that doesn't matter at all. If you laugh together with your child, you can be a child again in these moments. And laugh your head off at things that adults aren't officially allowed to find funny. Our tip: Tell your child a simple joke so that he or she understands the basic principle. And then let it tell a joke itself. You'll see: Hardly anything is funnier than a child who chuckles and says jokes without any timing or punchline.
Openness: Children are honest
If a child thinks something is stupid, is afraid or doesn't know what to do, he or she will let it be known. Usually very open and loud, rarely subtle. The meaning behind it: It wants to be heard. His primal instincts tell him that in order for him to be helped, it needs to be heard. We can learn from that. Far too often, adults hide behind white lies or bottle up things that stress them out. But if we openly and honestly address what concerns us, what worries us or interests us, what we plan to do or would like to never do again, we create clarity . Not just with other adults , but also with our children .
Mindfulness: Children take time out and allow themselves breaks
When we think of children, we think of energetic little creatures who seem to just want to do gymnastics, dance, run around and play all day long. But if we take a closer look, we notice that children can manage their energy quite well. And instinctively treat yourself more carefully than many adults . A positive characteristic of children is that they take breaks sometimes. And then are pretty good at setting boundaries. If a child is tired, he or she wants to rest or sleep. If it's hungry, it treats itself to a snack. If it is afraid, it looks for support. And so forth. Here we can learn a lot from children and copy this good quality: If we withdraw briefly throughout the day, we recharge our batteries . And just listen to ourselves, process what we've experienced - and start the next day with renewed enthusiasm. By the way: If you're still looking for something to sweeten your downtime, take a look at our muesli bar or our minis and energy gums* . Perfect for short breaks and to recharge your batteries.
Gratitude: being a child and experiencing the world as a miracle
Children are as happy as snow kings about stones they find by the river, about mild summer rain, about a freshly baked pretzel or when a bird sits on the windowsill. You experience the world as a single miracle - day after day. We can learn a lesson from this. Whether it's golden sunsets or the fact that we're flying in an airplane 30,000 feet above the earth: we experience so many beautiful and incredible things every day without even really noticing it. When we learn from children here, we can see even the smallest things in a new light. And just be a child again in a world whose magic awaits at every corner.
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