What Has Having Children Taught You?
Happiness is one of the first lessons instilled in a child. Children have this innate ability to find joy in the simplest things. Even after being disciplined, they will quickly forgive and ask for love. They don’t carry grudges or hold onto anger for long. This is a testament to their pure and forgiving nature.
Observation and Learning: Children excel at observing their surroundings and learning from them. In our fast-paced lives, we often miss the things right in front of us. Children see the world with a fresh perspective and can teach us to appreciate the beauty in our daily lives. They also have a unique view on how to resolve conflicts and maintain a healthy relationship.
Purity of Mind: Children possess a purity of mind that we often lose as we grow older. They see the world without prejudice and can help adults remember the importance of simplicity and authenticity.
Gender Equality: Perhaps one of the most valuable lessons is the promotion of gender equality. Children do not differentiate between boys and girls; they see both as equals and deserving of the same treatment. They learn to appreciate each other's strengths without any biased judgments.
A Personal Experience with Parenthood
While I may not be a parent, I have a couple of lovely friends who are. These two girls, who are ten years old, spend almost every weekend together. Their mom’s conversation made me realize how advanced these young girls are in understanding concepts that many adults struggle to grasp. They know the importance of space, patience, and mutual respect. Despite their strong bond, they occasionally decide to spend time apart, reminding me of the value of solitude and personal space.
The Power of Resilience
My son’s story is one of immense resilience and love. He was hit by a car while walking to school at the age of ten. The driver was impaired by drugs, leading to a tragic accident. My son sustained severe head injuries and died in front of the office of a surgeon who was ultimately able to bring him back to life with CPR. He was rushed to Memorial Hospital in Gulfport, Mississippi, where he was staying with his grandparents while I attended nursing school in New Orleans.
The severity of his injuries required multiple rounds of emergency care, including being brought back to life twice. After being put into an induced coma for the first six months, he stirred around seven months later. The love and perseverance I shared with him during this time taught me valuable lessons about patience, courage, and determination.
Every day, I visited him, taking him his beloved Hot Wheels cars. Despite his physical limitations, he was able to move his right index finger. Before leaving him at night, I would roll a Hot Wheels car back and forth, then carry him to the hallway, drop him off, and encourage him to “Go get your car, we’ve got a winner!” This routine gave him purpose and motivation. The resilience he displayed taught me to never give up on hope, no matter the circumstances.
From spending weekends together to the personal resilience of my son, the lessons from parenthood have deeply impacted my life. These experiences have shown me the strength of love, the importance of personal space, and the unwavering determination needed to face life’s challenges.