As we grow older, we tend to forget our childhood experiences. Here are a few lessons we can learn from kids. Life seems so much simpler when you are a child. Then, you have to grow up. When you are a child, you cannot wait to be an adult. However, when you become an adult, you wish you could go back to being a child. Childhood is a
learning process. It is a stepping-stone to a successful life. Yet, most of the things you learnt as a child are forgotten by the time you have reached adulthood. This is not deliberate, just a way of life. Here are a few childhood lessons that apply even to adults.
Take Things Apart to See How They Work
Small children love to take things apart. A
toddler will use building blocks to make something and then destroy his creation to make a completely new object. Even older children frequently take apart their toys just to see how they work. The objective behind this is to simplify what the child perceives to be complicated.
You can use this lesson even in your adult life. You are often faced with problems that seem insurmountable. However, if you took a little time to 'take apart your problem', you will find that it is not as difficult as you thought. If you are looking at a difficult situation, break it up into smaller pieces. For example, perhaps you are thinking of
writing a book. The initial thought of having to write so many pages is extremely daunting. Try setting yourself a target of writing one page a day. If that seems too much, write one paragraph instead. Do not bother about perfection since you can always come back and work on it.
If You Want Something, Save Up for it
Do you remember asking your parents to buy you an expensive toy? Chances are the reply would have been something along the lines of 'use your
allowance money to pay for it'. A child almost never has a variety of credit and debit cards at her disposal. This is because by paying for the toy out of her own money, she learns to value the sacrifice involved in buying the toy.
Managing money is one of the toughest jobs an adult faces. There are no set rules to follow and virtually no one is going to question you about your financial decisions. This is especially true if you happen to be living by yourself. You often tend to spend money on frivolous purchases, which can lead to
financial problems later on.
It is never too late to learn how to manage your finances. Take yourself back to your childhood. Keep track of your spending habits by writing down your purchases. Keep a dedicated notebook for this purpose. Do not buy something if you do not have money to pay for it upfront. Buying on credit is a sure-fire way of getting into debt. It is easy to fall into the credit card trap and spend money you do not have. If you wait till you have saved enough money to buy your item, you are less likely to buy something that you do not need.
The Nicest People are the Ones Who Listen
When you were a child, who was your favourite adult besides your parents? Was it the person who simply said hello and then ignored you or was it an individual who took a little time to talk to you and ask you how things were going at school? Children love adults who
listen to them. This is because by listening, an adult is making the child feel important.
Listening is important to adults too. When you have had a bad day and are feeling blue, simply pouring out your troubles to a sympathetic ear can make you feel better. A genuine listener is actually quite difficult to find. If you try to be a good listener when your friend needs you, you are more likely to get the same response in return when you are down in the dumps.
Life is never easy. Every individual experiences her own trials and tribulations. However, if you look at your journey through a child-like perspective, you will always be able to find a positive aspect.
