Yesterday was Children's Day and I was thinking about it.. What IS Children's Day all about and what did we adults do to make it special for the children in our lives?
We have become excessively casual about celebrating everything and take Children's Day and children completely for granted! Am talking about the majority of people here.. not anyone specific!
Consumerism has consumed us to the point where we have practically lost our common sense.. Christmas is all about going to "meet" Santa Clause and getting presents.. how many children are ever even told the real story of Christmas?
Festivals and "special" days are largely celebrated superficially at the ubiquitous local MALL where we accept and "make do" with whatever nonsense is available.. simply because it's just too much trouble to do it all from scratch at home!
Am just sharing my thoughts on Children's Day here.. it should be a day that is all about THEM.. where children are the stars.. THEY get to CHOOSE.. to feel important and special.. to be HEARD.. to be asked what THEY like and what THEY want..
As adults we are in a hurry to have children and "jump into" parenthood completely unprepared and not knowing it's going to be either "sink or swim"! Children are individuals.. and distinct personalities.. and need to be respected and treated as such! They are children so don't talk to them and treat them like mini adults.. simply because they AREN'T!
If our children are to blossom and grow to their full potential.. we as adults need to ensure that we allow them the pure and simple joy of a REAL childhood and encourage curiosity exploration experimenting discovering and "doing" on their own (without us "taking over" because it's so much neater easier and quicker)!
We need to give them the magic of acceptance instead of keeping them on "leash" and trying to control their every thought word and action! We need to ACTIVELY invest TIME doing things with them.. whether it's a walk in the park talking about nature or looking at trees.. sorting seeds.. playing with blocks or even just tidying up after play..
We need to allow children to BE.. to create chaos.. play mischief.. to run around in circles until they get giddy.. to do what comes naturally and instinctively without the constant "let me show you how to"! We need to sacrifice our ego and dignity and allow ourselves to be ourspoken spontaneous silly and FUN when we are with them!
Discipline must be preserved but with minimal rules that are consistently upheld and breaches to be dealt with gently after a few "warnings".. They should never be the "innocent victims" of our bad days (just because they can't retaliate)!
Childhood is a magical time and we should honour it by respecting our children's intellligence rather than flaunting our own.. trusting them to make the right choices (with gentle guidance occasionally) and most of all.. with consistent behaviour!
We have to STOP putting our children "on the spot" by asking them stupid and stressful questions like "Who do you love more.. Daddy or Mummy" (how traumatic is this) and "Are you a good girl or a naughty boy" (please approve or disapprove of the action and not the person)!
Along with all this.. do remember to keep the "inner child" in you ALIVE.. Keep your sense of wonder.. laugh out loud.. see the little miracles around you.. celebrate your big and small achievements and most of all.. stay HAPPY and be spontaneous! If you can do that.. every day will be a happy Children's Day!
Thank you (as always) for reading and do remember to share your name at the beginning or end of your comment (should you choose to write one)!
