Life Lessons From A Toddler

Guest Post by Lisa Ng

When my son was 2, I wrote a post, Life lessons from a toddler. Those lessons still hold — to forgive immediately, to be quietly patient, and to love — but now he's almost 5 and I've also got a 2-year-old. They are teaching me even more life lessons.

Thanks to Sarah for letting me share them with you.

 

Stop and smell the roses.

 

Like literally, smell every rose... and watch every plane fly overhead, listen to each bird call, and wonder why the stars sparkle. My kids are teaching me to enjoy the small things in life that are actually quite amazing. They teach me to slow down and enjoy this life. I've only got one, right?

 

Go with the flow. 

I'm Type A with a capital A. Schedules, routines and being organized are my bag, baby. But anyone with kids, or anyone who's made plans with other people who have kids, will know that kids don't care about schedules. They dirty their diaper at the last minute, or wait until you've got a foot out the door to use the potty. They always seem to get sick when we’re about to travel or over the holidays. Over many years and disruptions to my timeline, I'm still Type A, but I think I've relaxed to a Type A-. It's nice to give up the reigns sometimes. Gives me time to smell those roses.

 

Laugh more.

 

In addition to being Type A, I'm also "the serious one" in the family. I know, my kids are so lucky to have me ;). But having a 5-year-old boy means I've learned to laugh at poop and fart jokes. Having a 2-year-old girl means I've learned to laugh in the middle of a "terrible twos" tantrum, even if it's in the middle of a grocery aisle. Laughter definitely helps when learning to go with the flow!

 

Be nice.

 

My children say hello to everyone. And you know what? Most people say hello back and smile. Wouldn't the world be a better place if we were just nicer to another? So when the kids say hello, I also say hello. Sometimes I even initiate the hello.

 

Live in the moment.

My kids stop to smell the roses because they honestly don't know if they'll see that particular rose again. They don't think about the past and "the good old days". They don't have calendars scheduled out to next year. They aren't always looking forward to something. They are enjoying whatever is happening right now. Having a second kid has definitely taught me to savor the "now". Yes, even the 2-year-old's tantrums because I know that a minute later, I'll get a "Sowee" from her and it melts my heart.

 

It's sad that as adults, we don't do many of things naturally anymore. But I'm so glad I have 2 kids to remind me to do them.

About the Author

Lisa Ng is the writer of Expandng.com, which is a play on her last name Ng (pronounced "ing"). She is the proud mother of a 4.5 year old boy, a 1.5 year old girl, and two bichons. In her spare time, she loves to take photos and devour books. You can subscribe to her blog via email and find her on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.