As many of you can surely attest, being a parent has helped me become a more compassionate and patient person. I think it has something to do with realizing, at least on a totally conscious level, that everyone was a baby and toddler at one point in their life.
As Babito nears his 3rd birthday, he’s beginning to enter the “Why?” stage of toddlerhood. He’s not into it full-blown yet, but he has started asking more and more why questions. He asks questions like “Why does the duckie go into the water?” or “Why do we have to wait in line?” or “Why is Obama hinting at raising taxes on the middle class when he promised not to do it during the campaign?” Ok, I made up that last one, but my point is that the “Why?” questions aren’t too hard to answer at this point.
I know this won’t always be true. I know that the “Why?” questions will get tougher as his mind continues to develop, and I know that the ANSWERS to the “Why?” questions will become more and more important to his developing into the successful, well-rounded, compassionate person we hope and pray he becomes, and I know that I hope his Mommy and I are always the ones that will be there to give him the answers he needs to hear.
I think that’s why I’ve become more compassionate and patient with others, or at least why I should be. Some people weren’t as lucky as The Babito. They probably didn’t have anyone in their life who could or would properly answer the “Why?” questions, or they asked the questions to the wrong people and were steered in the wrong direction.
What you also have to remember is that sometimes little kids don’t always ask the “Why?” questions out loud. One thing I’ve learned from raising the Babito is that children have an amazing capacity to learn about life through simply watching the actions of others. They assume that what they see others do and get away with is acceptable. I think parents need to always be aware of the environment their children are in and think more about how their own actions affect and teach their children how to act and behave. Sadly, more and more, it seems that parents just don’t want to bother with really listening to their kids and putting in the extra work. We’re all the worse for it.
Parents: please pay more attention to the “Whys?”.
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#1 by Lauryn on August 11th, 2009
Great post! I remember always being SUCH an inquisitive child, and I feel that because my parents took the time to acknowledge and respond to my questions, I have an increased love for learning. As a kid it’s a big deal to understand how things work. It’s great that you guys are so encouraging of this new phase
Lauryn´s last blog ..Detroit Design
#2 by Monique on August 11th, 2009
Love this post!! I LOVED the “why” stage. It also instilled a confidence in my daughter, she knows that she can ask me anything and I will answer, which I hope continues as the questions get more difficult.
Monique´s last blog ..When The Bough Breaks…
#3 by Daddy Dan on August 11th, 2009
Lauryn: Thanks! Yes, Babito is very inquisitive as well, and we hope to instill a love of learning, and reading in him too.
Monique: Thank you. Confidence in a child means everything. Confidence in themselves and confidence in their parents. Sounds like you’re doing a great job so far.
#4 by Al_Pal on August 11th, 2009
Good post. & yeah, kids whose parents don’t spend enough time with them…eep! ;(
Al_Pal´s last blog ..My new creative outlet: Bread Puddings!