Yesterday I asked my 15-month-old, “Are you a baby?“
She waved her head resolutely from side-to-side. A decided “no.”
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Then I looked at her – and SAW (again, for the millionth time) a little person. So smart. So affectionate. So creative. With so many opinions + intentions already.
In our society, we too often hush the minds and spirits of small children. We treat them as less important because they are little, because they don’t have money or means or majesty.
The truth, though, is that kids are wise in uncertain times, brave in difficult times, and kind in unkind situations. Kids feel things deeply, they often see things more clearly than the adults around them, and they think about things intensely. When given the words and the wings, kids can do incredible things. They can write books, engage in politics, defend their families, help the needy, start businesses, etc.
And I’m not just talking about when they’re 30 [see examples of amazing kids here and here].
As I have conversations with my girls in the coming years, I hope that they will HEAR, loud and clear, that they can do anything. I hope that they will resist the message from the media and pop culture that kids are too young to be capable. I pray that they will have the strength and the confidence to do big things. For good. For God.
To BOTH of my girls – If you read this someday (whether you’re 6 or 16 or 26), know this: I believe in you. Always have. Always will. You are smart enough, strong enough, and savvy enough to change the world – starting today.
(And I’m not just saying that because I’m your mom).
* This post was inspired, in part, by Too Small To Ignore by Wess Stafford (one of my favorite books and most certainly the best book I read last year).
Do you think our society underestimates children? What do you do to counteract that message? Also – have you read Wess Stafford’s book?
