Learning From Kids

Kids have it right! I have written on this blog about the importance of relationships, but last night I got even more proof of how important relationships are to people.

I had 6 or 7 kids, and as one table had a lot of stuff on it, I went and got another table for them to setup a board game on. I helped them setup the game, which didn't last long as is common with kids. After a few minutes though, I noticed that all of the kids at the other table had migrated over to the new table. One little girl who was very shy at first and would not tell me her name got a coloring sheet and moved over to the new table. With all of the other kids around, yet she wanted me to color with her. She didn't mean for me to get a page and sit down and color my paper, but she wanted me to help her color her paper.

I listen as they meet each other and find areas of common interests whether it be how old they are, or where they go to school, or what they like to do. We seek to find common ground with those around us and find a reason to spend time with someone. We seem to want to find ways to not be alone in this world. We need other people.

It doesn't matter to the kid if we have a Wii, games, coloring sheets, or many other things, but they want me, as the one they see in charge, to participate with them. Just as some parents may need to learn that you can surround a kid with all the best toys, games, or electronic gadgets, but in the end all they really want is a relationship with their parent. When you substitute a TV, video game, books, movies, or toys for your time spent with them, you do a disservice to a child. Time is our most precious commodity because it is in limited supply while here on this earth. Spend it wisely by investing it in other people.