What we can (and should) learn from our grandchildren
Our grandchildren can certainly be a handful sometimes with their endless questions, endless energy and unexpected tears. We love them dearly anyway (of course!) and want them to grow up to be the best they can be. But too often we focus on teaching them to be great adults when we could be enjoying and embracing their childish wonder. Just because we’re the adults doesn’t mean we can’t learn a thing or two from our grandchildren. In fact, they can teach us a few important lessons about leading a happy, healthy and fulfilling life – all by reconnecting with our inner child. Here are three important lessons we should learn from our grandkids.
How to be curious
Kids are always asking questions, seemingly endlessly and about every “trivial” topic imaginable. For us, especially when we’re busy with a task, it can be a tad annoying (mostly because we’d have to admit we don’t have the answers to everything!) but their constant questioning of “why” not only shows an insatiable curiosity to understand how the world works but an outlook on life that refreshingly views the world as always new and exciting. By the time we reach our 60s, many of us have had that natural curiosity and childish wonder stamped out of us. A few decades on the planet surely means we have life figured out, right? However, a natural curiosity – questioning why and seeking out knowledge – is incredibly valuable for a healthy, happy life. And life after 60 gives us the opportunity to do so – with retirement on the horizon for many and our family responsibilities scaling back, there’s no excuse not to look for new passions and follow them.
How to be trusting
Children naturally trust, occasionally they’re even a little too trusting. Without too many years behind them, a lot of younger kids haven’t yet developed fears and this leads them to be open and trusting to anyone. But once we’ve reached our 60s, a lifetime of experience has often taken its toll and we’re wary of strangers, keep to our social group and take minimal risks – even striking up a conversation with a stranger on the train can seem like a danger to some. Children haven’t yet had these social boundaries ingrained in them and perhaps we should take a leaf out of their book. Smile at stranger, chat to the person beside you on the bus or help out someone looking lost. All can make you feel much ore connected to your community and who knows, you might even make a new friend.
How to be fearless
How often have your grandkids asked you watch them do a “death-defying” act that’s made your heart palpitate a little? Kids think they’re immortal and with little fear of consequences, they’ll climb, jump and sometimes fall. There might be cries of pain and even broken bones but then they just pick themselves up and do it all again. Children don’t let past experiences colour them or fear hold them back – they really can do anything they set their mind to or accomplish anything they want to. But as we get older, the realities of life set in – we often take the safe option and fear often stops us in our tracks. By the time we reach 60, we often think it’s time to sit back and take it easy – it’s certainly what society expects of us. But life isn’t over when we reach our sixties, in fact there’s more time than ever to go on adventure you could never do while working and raising a family. It’s time to be fearless again and follow any crazy dreams you have.
Related links:
The funniest things grandkids say
The most heartwarming quotes about family
The younger generations WANT your advice