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On Monday I went to my uncle’s funeral. He was someone who I had a lot of affection for. Though I find this a bit surprising – he wasn’t fun or silly or goofy, which is what children usually like. He was quite serious and quiet. Why did I have such affection for him? Because he took me seriously. He took the time to answer questions and to explain things – and to do it in a way I could understand. In a world of demands and commands, my time with him was an oasis where things could be understood.
I guess this was important to me because I’m such a thinker. I wonder how much it is important to children. It may just be me, but I suspect it may matter to others too.
What does this have to do with those of us who aren’t parents? We all have a child inside us. And I suspect that we often don’t listen to them as much as we should. For instance, I think our lives would probably improve if we noticed when we were in a bad mood, instead of just soldiering on. We would at least learn what we dislike. We may come up with ways to make our life easier. We would probably be less stressed and so get sick less often.
Here are some things to do to listen more to the child inside us:
To get in touch with how much we dismiss children and the child inside ourselves I suggest the following experiment: Every time you speak or hear the term “childish” try replacing it with “childlike”. I have found this to be very revealing.
Try noticing when you get grumpy. (Not justifiably angry just plain grumpy.) See if you can spot what it is that triggers this mood for you.
What are some things that just bug you? That just get under your skin? See if you can figure out what it is about them that is so annoying.
I’d like to hear what you think about how much we should explain stuff to children (in ways they can understand), and if you have changed in how you treat the child inside you. Let me know in the comments.
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When I was in high school I decided I was much too serious, so I got back in touch with my inner child. She’s still very much alive after all of these years.
Thanks for asking!
Hi Jean,
I too was much too old at a young age. For me, getting back in touch with my inner child was about giving myself time. The first way was having long, hot baths.
I’m now younger than I was at a younger age. The change has stayed with me too.
Thanks for your comment.
The article is very interesting. yes you are right we all have a child inside us and when it awakes you can’t even believe your self that some time you do such things which you don’t suppose to do. I really enjoyed reading your article.:)
Hi
Very interesting article. It is so true that we all have a child inside us. And when this child wakes up then… lolz… I really enjoyed this article.
Hi Timmy,
I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks for your comment.
Thanks Alex,
I’m really glad you liked the article.
Thanks too for taking the time to comment.
I think giving children the time of day and taking their questions seriously is vital. Never assume just because someone is very young that they are not a deep thinking person!
On the flip side, I was very serious as a young girl and have lightened up as I have got older. I guess I needed to embrace my inner adult before I could find my inner child!
Hi Kate,
Interesting point. I too have lightened up a lot as an adult. I like you thought about discovering the inner adult before the inner child, I think it was that way for me too.
Many thanks for your comment.
Evan,
I really like how you think and how you presented these ways to connect with the child within. Too often I hear this term in a negative context, but you sound as though you really like that little guy!
Well done. G.
Hi Grace. Yeah, I really like him.
Thanks for taking the time to comment.