This One Is On Kids

There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.- Nelson Mandela

My folks thought I would become a pediatrician. They believed I had the demeanor kids were comfortable with. Fast forward to the present day, I am not a pediatrician. My practice fits more with those in family medicine, and I see fewer kids compared to the number of adults.

My encounter with kids is mostly from my immediate family and friends. Between my work and study schedule, I respond to requests for babysits every now and then. I find kids interesting and most times, I enjoy my time with them. My patience gets tested though when they scream and have tantrums. My most recent encounter is with my 18-month-old nephew. He is the cutest and the naughtiest. Observing him alongside all the kids I spend time around, I find:

1. They are more intelligent than we give them credit for.
2. They can be quite discerning.
3. They observe, then copy.
4. They sometimes say the funniest things.
5. They love to play and play and play. Usually, a favorite adult is one who adapts mundane activities like bath times, meal times, chore times into playtime.
6. They sometimes love to push the limits and test your resolve. They can game you if given the opportunity.
7. Kids need time. Adults and society need to provide that time.
8. Kids teach you a lot about humility. Sometimes you watch them and aren’t so puzzled about adults anymore.
9. Many times, it takes a village to train a child.
10. There is a balance between allowing kids freedom and restricting them when necessary. It is not easy to strike that balance.
11. An adult entrusted with child care needs a good measure of self-awareness to parent and guide adequately. If not, we end up with varying degrees of neglect and abuse.
12. It is tough to parent appropriately and not learn selflessness, even to a small degree.
13. If you start children off in certain ways, they will not turn from it when they are older.