6 Lessons From My 6 Month Old
We can learn a lot from children. If you take a kid to the park, within 15 minutes they will have 5 new best friends. Stick an adult in an elevator with 5 other people they don’t know, and all you will get is silence. Being only 6 months old my boy is too young to run around at the park making new friends, but still he provides me with some valuable life lessons.
1. Make people feel special: my little boy, Xavier, is such a happy and healthy baby. Most of the time when he sees somebody his face lights up and he gives them a big gummy smile. He makes everyone feel so special, and they love him for it.
2. Be curious: Xavier will try to grab anything that is near him. And he is constantly trying new things (you have never seen a baby try harder to crawl!). Without a doubt, he shows the sparks of curiosity that I believe are so important in life.
3. Let people know if something is bothering you: when Xavier is upset - whether because of hunger or a dirty nappy (or diaper as they say here in Canada) - he lets us know! Now, I don’t suggest you cry and scream whenever something is wrong, but why not let someone else know when you need help? So often all we need to do is ask for a helping hand and people will be happy to oblige.
4. Have no fear: if someone wasn’t there to stop him, my little boy would do some crazy things (eg launch himself off the couch). Whilst I don’t recommend recklessly risking your health and safety, I see so many people who let fear run their lives. Are you one of them?
5. Get enough sleep: I certainly don’t recommend sleeping between 14 - 15 hours (the amount of sleep a 6 month old needs each day) but it is important to get enough sleep. How much sleep do you need? Only you will know - I have read stories of people need only 4 hours sleep each night, others need a full 8 hours. The point is this: work out how much you need then make sure you get it.
6. Be cute: the girls love it 
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5 Comments
September 10th, 2007 at 2:05 pm
What a great post! The simplicity of children really helps us focus on what is important in life. I love how your baby reminds you to be curious, have no fear and treat people like they are special. Plus it never hurts to be cute! :0)
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September 10th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
Thanks Shirley
. Funnily enough as I was reading your comment, my little boy was playing in his saucer, having the time of his life, and speaking to someone who seems to be called ‘bob’. He is so special.
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October 2nd, 2007 at 2:55 am
Nice way of putting this together. I’ve got two kids of my own and I learn a lot from them a lot.
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October 2nd, 2007 at 9:13 am
I am not lucky enough to have kids but I do love them. I liked your comment that your son can make 5 friends in the park while we stand in an elevator and don’t talk to anyone. I guess as adults we can’t go back to the innocence of a child, nor should we, but I think we can foster an attitude of openness to life that is childlike.
What is it about a baby’s face that makes us melt. Surely it is that complete lack of judgement in their eyes, that lovely innocence and that curiousity in life that we love?
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October 2nd, 2007 at 12:52 pm
Thanks for the comments Shai and Lesley. Yes, Xavier is a constant source of inspiration. In fact, I think I have another upcoming article that will be heavily influenced by the little fella.
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