How to learn to like kids by Cats&Scales

"For me it took a conscious attitude adjustment... & maybe a little maturity. ;)"

How I did it: Rather than force myself to spend time with kids to make myself like them, I spent time just observing my friend's kids and my youngest brother's friends & my nieces & stuff like that. I also did not avoid interacting with them, and tried to have conversations with kids when I could. I tried to keep my irritation at their noise & mess & 'rudeness' at bay and adjusted my thinking to enjoying what makes them kids instead of resenting it.

The biggest change came when I realized I wanted to learn from kids. As a bit of a fantasy artist I really value imagination, and that is something that children have an advantage of over adults. They're also honest, innocent, and untainted by years of old habits and ways of thinking. Life is simple and fun to a happy child, and that appeals to me.

Now I find that I look forward to seeing the kids in my life, and I'm even a little better at talking to them. ;)

Lessons & tips:

  • Spend time with the kids in your life, but don't force interaction...
  • Get over the fact that they're kids... kids are just little people. You were a kid yourself once. ;)

Resources:

  • This American Life: "How to Talk to Kids"
  • Children's Movies & Books 


1 person found this helpful
 

Jun 12, 2011, 01:29PM PDT | 1 comment | 11 cheers


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Jun 12, 2011, 04:09PM PDT


Cats&Scales has gotten 11 cheers on this entry.

 

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