7 things I learned from being a kid

Being around my little nephews and nieces brings me back to my own childhood years.  It is nice to relive my childhood moments through them.  Looking back, I have learned a few lessons about life as a kid.

1. My parents made up things

My parents found creative ways to keep me from doing something for my own good or because they were too tired to do something I wanted to do or have at that moment. One thing my mom was best known for was telling her children that if one didn't share a piece of dessert with the person who wanted the dessert then the "sufferer" would have their "leaf" rip (found in their pelvis area). What?!  God forbid their "leaf" would break.  I always gave that person half of my dessert or more.  

2. My social group before Facebook

Even at a young age, I learned that being part of a group was important and in recess, you had to be part of a group.  It's a good thing that my friends and I played Chinese jump rope every day during recess.  Not only did we learned to jump high but it was also a way to teach us about taking turns and being good citizens. (Okay, I'm making this stuff up.) Tether ball was also a respectable game followed by handball and four-square. 

3. School was my job

One thing I remember clearly was my mom telling me, "God forbid I get a call from your school telling me that you are misbehaving and getting low grades.  You don't want to know what I will do to you." To this day, I still don't want to know. 

4. Honesty was best policy

It was hard to lie to my parents, mostly because the guilt would get to me. There was a moment where to this day, no one knows that I accidentally broke one of my mom's decorations while I was cleaning.  I super glued the piece back and made sure the crack was not visible. (I've been carrying that in my heart for more than 20 years!!!)    

5. Not so pink world

Being the only girl in the family had its advantages and disadvantages.  For starters, I had my own room, new clothes and shoes, and the only girl on the street who can play baseball. The disadvantages were plenty: I had way more house chores and it was expected of me to help clean and wash dishes.  To this day, I hate washing dishes! I will do it because I'm good at it and I like the satisfaction of seeing a clean kitchen. Also, when your younger brother drives before you do and takes you to school and picks you up is embarrassing! (Note to self: Don't treat my future daughters as being fragile because they won't be!) Now that I have my own niece, to this day, I promised myself never to buy her any "girly" toys. She also has two brothers, and she's already showing signs that she can play with the boys. She's less than 2 years old and her personality is sweet and feisty! LOL I love her!

6. The world around you

The world around you is way smaller as a kid than when you're an adult.  I learned that my first crush, my first heartbreak, my first accomplishment, my first detention were a huge deal at that time.  Looking back at these moments, it makes me smile because my way of thinking was very pure and innocent. 

7. TV was my teacher

I learned English from watching Sesame Street.  Mr. Rodgers was my neighbor.  I learned how to tell time by the cartoon lineup on television. Television was also my babysitter.  I remember when I was 4 or 5, my morning routine was to get cereal and take it to the living room where my younger brother and I would watch the movie Batman (starring Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson) so we could let my dad sleep since he worked the graveyard shift.  

Being a kid is one of the shortest and most wonderful time in one's life.  If you have the privilege of seeing a kid grow up, remember to keep this in mind, the things they experience as a kid stays with them a lifetime. 

Thanks for reading, 
Mayra :)