Growing Down
Phrases like “child’s play” and “cry like a baby” and “grow up!” expose an unspoken belief of our culture: children are expected to have fun and express their feelings openly, while grown-ups are expected to accept that life is mostly a grind with little room for authenticity.
Perhaps, then, our desire for our children to be happy and authentic is partly a wish for ourselves. Luckily, modeling is the most effective parenting tool, so let’s model authenticity and lightness today by “growing down”...
- Eat spaghetti with your fingers
- Wear shoes that don’t match
- Wear no shoes at all... in the rain
- Don’t delay gratification
- Scream when you feel like it
- Pee in the grass!
No need to worry what other grown-ups might think. Just tell them you’re sacrificing your adultness for the good of your children. :)
Originally published on 2006-05-21
 |
 |
 |