My three-year-old boy is delighted with the way he looks.
He squeals with pleasure as he looks at pictures and videos of himself. He even enjoys staring at his own reflection in the mirror.
Obviously, he’s impressed with what he sees. He admires the way he looks, and I love that about him.
In truth, I could learn something from him.
In life, there are plenty of times you will be knocked flat on your face. You’ve got to find the strength from within to pick yourself up and always try, try again.
And I’ve learned if you are going to ever be successful, you’ve got to at least embrace who you see in the mirror, and accept your individuality and yourself.
Kids live in a world of absolutes. They have an all or nothing attitude about life.
When you won’t let them do something … “You never let me.” After you make them clean up … “You always do this.” If something doesn’t go their way … “I hate this.” Or – heaven forbid – you make them try something new … “I can’t.”
Luckily, their absolutes are completely relative to their emotions, and therefore, continually change like the tide. Everything isn’t always as black and white as they make it out to be.
But the world does certainly seem more straight-forward in an all or nothing approach.
And thinking about it, it’s the people who have this view of the world who ultimately end up changing the limits. The risk takers, the inventors, the entrepreneurs – maybe they are the people who never really grew up. They aren’t afraid to challenge the world as we know it. They stand up and say we can never move forward if something doesn’t change.
People are attracted to the idea of superheroes. These larger-than-life defenders possess extraordinary talents, are fearless and courageous. They are essentially a better version of ourselves, and everything we wish we could be.
Yes, we just took our boys to see the new Avengers movie. And they have since been running around the house with nothing else on their minds. I have one who thinks he’s made of iron and flies, and the other says he’s turning green when he is mad. And now, as it’s the in-thing to do, he gets mad a lot. No, I didn’t give him the go-ahead to tear up his room, but I don’t think the Hulk ever asks for permission.
Yes, it’s obvious, superhero skills and abilities fascinate and excite.
Back in the real world, most of us realize nobody is born with superhuman-strength, or the ability to save the entire world all on their own.
But, at the same time, I’ve realized it’s important to not waste time thinking about what we can’t do, and focus on what we can. Because what we can do, does matter.
“Mommy, look. Mommy, look. I got dressed by myself.”
Yes, I can clearly see that.
“Mommy, look. Mommy, look. I am going to say my ABCs.
Now watch, mommy. I’m going to say my ABCs with my eyes closed.”
Ha, OK. What a very rare and exceptional talent.
“Mommy, look, Mommy, look. I went to the potty. Come see. You didn’t look. No, look Mommy.”
Yes, I see. I’m so proud.
This is any given day at my house. My kids seek constant attention and want me to watch them do absolutely everything. And when there’s something they want, they find a way get it, one way or another.
We all want our families to be great teams – ones that can both work hard and play hard together to achieve common goals.
At my house, we’re in everything together, and we give it our best to collectively handle whatever is thrown our way.
But, sometimes my kids take this thinking a bit too literally. Whatever I do, wherever I go, I have two little shadows behind me. Yes, I enjoy their company, but there are a few things I would prefer to do on my own. While I have explained the concept of privacy to my children, they certainly don’t see it as a priority or a necessity. To them, it’s quite straightforward; even mundane tasks prove to be more fun and entertaining when we are all together.
And, it just so happens, my boys enjoy being in the bathroom more than anywhere else in the house. I think it’s the indoor water park that attracts them. They love to take baths, wash their hands a million times, and flush the toilet over and over. They like showing off in the water so much, it’s kind of like having a front row seat in the splash zone at SeaWorld.
