What We Can Learn From Our Kids

Being an adult comes with its share of challenges – responsibilities, deadlines, and the constant push to get things done. But if we pause for a moment and take a cue from the children in our lives, we can learn so much about how to approach life with a little more lightness and joy. Kids have a unique way of moving through the world with wonder, resilience, and a pure sense of connection. It’s a reminder of the simple but powerful qualities and lessons we might have forgotten along the way.

As parents, we often feel the weight of responsibility and the need to get everything right, which can be overwhelming. But our children offer us one of the most powerful lessons: how to live in the moment, embrace our true selves, and find joy in the simplest things. I’m sharing these ways to be more like kids because adopting these qualities can help parents reduce stress, reconnect with joy, and feel more grounded in daily life. By learning from our children, we can model resilience, kindness, and mindfulness – traits that not only benefit us but also set a positive example for our children. It’s about finding more peace, deepening our connections, and bringing more fulfillment into our parenting journey.

Here are 10 ways we can be more like kids and make life a little brighter and more fulfilling.

Embrace Creativity

Kids are natural creators. Whether it’s drawing, building with blocks, or turning a cardboard box into a rocket ship, they approach life with endless imagination. It’s not about the end result – it’s about the joy in creating something from nothing. As adults, we often get caught up in responsibilities and forget how freeing it feels to make something new – just for fun. Try tapping into that creativity again, and see how it shifts your perspective.

Pick Yourself Back Up

Have you ever seen a toddler take a tumble only to pop right back up like nothing happened? Kids are resilient. They don’t waste time dwelling on the fall – they simply get back up and keep going. As adults, we tend to be much harder on ourselves when we stumble. So, here is your reminder: it’s okay to fall or fail. You won’t always get everything right, especially in parenting. What matters most is getting back up, repairing, and moving forward.

Laugh Every Day

There’s nothing quite like the sound of a child’s laugh. It’s pure, contagious, and full of joy. Kids find humor in the simplest things, and their laughter is a reminder not to take life too seriously. Whether it’s a funny reel, a silly moment with your kids, or just laughing at your own mistakes – let laughter in. It’s truly one of the best things for your soul.

Be Proud of Your Accomplishments

Young children are proud of themselves for every little victory. They celebrate without hesitation – you know the look when they peek over at you excitedly. As adults, we often downplay our successes, feeling like we haven’t done “enough.” But here’s the thing: it’s important to celebrate not just the outcome but also the effort and hard work that got us there.

Let’s take a lesson from our kids and remember to celebrate both the big and small wins. Embrace a growth mindset, and remind yourself (and your children) that the journey matters just as much as the destination. You deserve to feel proud of the effort you put in and the success you’ve earned along the way.

Ask Questions – Lots of Them

Children are naturally curious. They ask a million questions a day because they’re genuinely interested in understanding the world around them. As we grow older, we tend to ask fewer questions, maybe because we think we should already know all the answers. But you can’t possibly know everything about everything, especially in parenting – it’s okay to ask questions.

Whether you’re wondering about starting solids or navigating toddler behaviors, asking questions is how we learn and grow. The key is asking those questions in the right places – trusted and reliable sources that offer balanced advice. Remember, parenting doesn’t come with a manual, and there is no shame in looking for guidance when needed.

Find Joy in the Little Things

Kids don’t need much to be happy – a sticker, a puddle to jump in, or a silly face can make their day. They just need love and someone to share their excitement with. As adults, we sometimes get caught up in the bigger picture and forget how much joy the small moments can bring. Social media shows highlights and big events, but what really makes us happy?

It’s the little things – laughing with your child over something silly, sharing a quick text with a friend, or watching kids turn a box into their new favorite toy. These may not seem like big gestures, but they mean a lot. Like kids, we can find so much happiness in the smallest moments if we let ourselves. So, lean into it.

Be Kind and Show Love – Like a Child

Children, especially toddlers and young kids, have a natural kindness and love that is pure and unfiltered. They offer hugs and find joy in making others smile. It’s the kind of love that is simple yet powerful – whether it’s a spontaneous hug or a genuine smile, they give without hesitation.

As adults, we sometimes get caught up in our busy lives and forget how much a small act of kindness or love can brighten someone’s day. A smile to a stranger, offering help, or showing gratitude to the people around us – it not only lifts others up but it makes us feel good too. Like children, we can spread kindness and love in the simplest ways, and it can make all the difference.

Don’t Stay Mad for Too Long

Young children don’t hold onto anger for long. If another child pushes them, they may be upset in the moment, but they quickly work through it – often with the help of an adult – and move on. They don’t dwell on what happened and would rather get back to playing. As adults, it can be much harder to let things go. We’ve been through more, and forgiving can feel tough, especially when we’ve been hurt. But think about the freedom children experience by not holding onto their anger.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean the hurt didn’t happen, but it’s a choice not to live with that anger. Learning to let go can bring us peace and allow us to focus on what really matters. Whether it’s talking things through or deciding to move on, choosing to let go of anger is one of the most mindful acts we can embrace.

Be Yourself – Unapologetically

One of the things I love most about toddlers and young kids is how free they are to be themselves. Their mismatched clothes, the way they dance in the living room – they don’t hold back or second-guess themselves. They live authentically without worrying about what anyone else thinks.

Somewhere along the way, we can lose that sense of freedom, caught up in the concerns about what others will think. But life is truly too short to be anything but yourself. Embrace who you are – being true to yourself is where real joy comes from.

Live in the Moment

Children really are masters of mindfulness. They don’t worry about tomorrow’s to-do list or dwell on yesterday’s mistakes. They live fully in the now, finding joy in the present moment. It’s something we can all practice more of. While it’s easy to get caught up in where we’re headed or what went wrong in the past, kids remind us to focus on what’s happening right here, right now.

When life feels overwhelming, take a deep breath and return to the present. Vera reminds me of this when she says, “Whoa” at the simplest things – especially moments or details that we as adults would sometimes overlook. Her wonder reminds me of how amazing the world is when I see it through her eyes. Practicing mindfulness, even in small ways, can bring more joy and gratitude back into our lives. It keeps us youthful in mind and body and brings a little more joy to our everyday.

Final Message

These 10 ways to be more like kids serve as a reminder that simplicity, presence, and authenticity can make life feel a little lighter. It’s easy to get lost in the rush of responsibilities and the pressure to have everything figured out, but children show us that sometimes the best approach is to slow down and embrace the present.

When parenting feels tough or life gets overwhelming, take a moment to look to your child for strength. They remind us that life doesn’t always have to be complicated. It’s worth laughing at the little things, appreciating the beauty, and living with a sense of wonder. Whether it’s embracing the present, finding joy in small things, or simply being ourselves, these lessons from kids can help us navigate challenges with a lighter, fuller heart and more resilience. In those moments, remember that the simplicity and authenticity children bring to life are exactly what we need to ground ourselves. 

Check out the full PedsDocTalk Podcast Episode, where I dive deeper into all 15 ways we can be more like kids. It’s a refreshing reminder that sometimes the best advice comes from the little ones who see the world in its simplest, purest form.

On The Podcast

Intimacy after childbirth is…COMPLICATED. There are so many societal pressures for postpartum sex but what is more important is to have open communication about desires and readiness. We need to redefine sexual experiences beyond intercourse to include emotional connection and playful touch. This week, I welcome Dr. Tracy Dalgleish, a couples therapist, to discuss how healthy relationships positively impact parenting and what’s needed to reconnect with your partner post-baby.

She joins me to discuss:

• Misconceptions about postpartum intimacy, such as societal pressures and readiness for sex

• Why a strong partnership positively influences parenting

• How to redefine intimacy to focus on small, meaningful moments

On YouTube

This video discusses the safety and benefits of the RSV vaccine for pregnant individuals and the antibody for infants, emphasizing their importance in preventing severe RSV infections. This video includes:

• RSV vaccines and antibodies

• What options are available?

• Abrysvo effectiveness and safety

• Beyfortus effectiveness and safety

• How to decide which to get? How to get them?

Ask Dr. Mona

An opportunity for YOU to ask Dr. Mona your parenting questions!

Dr. Mona will answer these questions in a future Sunday Morning Q&A email. Chances are if you have a parenting concern or question, another parent can relate. So let's figure this out together!