Humility is the virtue of seeing each sunrise as truly new. Little children have no trouble with this perspective, they could not live any other way. Everything is visceral to them, and they carry this visceral interiority everywhere.
You have a strange condescending tone when you write. Like you are the one who figured out how to get your kid involved in your activities and every other parent is scared to get their child involved. I see this same tone in all of your posts - a fear of cities and a constant need to prove that you are better. Like your wood furnace but fear of some Californian burning your cabin down. Suggesting that people protesting systemic problems are wasting time but laying a pretty cobble stone street is a better impact on the world ! Too much Fox News for your information about the world outside your bubble ?
I think "Sometimes toddlers are described as little drunk people that slowly sober over the years" is a decent analogy for their physical coordination as they grow, but it does a disservice to every other aspect. I am constantly surprised by how thoughtful and profound the questions my 4 year old asks me or comments made by my 2 year old that show me how much more of the world she understands than I assumed.
It only takes one child to know what it’s like to have a child. My daughter (9) has fundamentally altered nearly every perspective I had for 46 years before she was born. Terror and joy, terror and joy. I have been thoroughly broken open to my amazement.
Beautiful, Simon! As we prepare ourselves for the birth of our first child (due in August) it's a breath of fresh air to read your thoughts on parenthood and raising kids. May we continue on learning to see with the little ones.
My babies are 30 and 28, and watching them is still just as wonderful. Thanks for this lovely piece.
I'm too distracted by the cute photos to read, sorry not sorry :)
Thank you for this.
Eye-opening piece as always. Thank you Simon
You have a strange condescending tone when you write. Like you are the one who figured out how to get your kid involved in your activities and every other parent is scared to get their child involved. I see this same tone in all of your posts - a fear of cities and a constant need to prove that you are better. Like your wood furnace but fear of some Californian burning your cabin down. Suggesting that people protesting systemic problems are wasting time but laying a pretty cobble stone street is a better impact on the world ! Too much Fox News for your information about the world outside your bubble ?
I think "Sometimes toddlers are described as little drunk people that slowly sober over the years" is a decent analogy for their physical coordination as they grow, but it does a disservice to every other aspect. I am constantly surprised by how thoughtful and profound the questions my 4 year old asks me or comments made by my 2 year old that show me how much more of the world she understands than I assumed.
Just beautiful. You help us slow down to notice the wonder of childhood and privilege of parenting . Thanks Simon.
It only takes one child to know what it’s like to have a child. My daughter (9) has fundamentally altered nearly every perspective I had for 46 years before she was born. Terror and joy, terror and joy. I have been thoroughly broken open to my amazement.
Wonderful
Beautiful, Simon! As we prepare ourselves for the birth of our first child (due in August) it's a breath of fresh air to read your thoughts on parenthood and raising kids. May we continue on learning to see with the little ones.
Beautiful, heart warming piece.
Beautiful