children
Child’s play: "any undertaking that is easy to do." That is how the online dictionary defines ‘child’s play’. I beg to differ.
There are many professors and doctors and experts and academics who study the literary term. I am none of the above, but, having pondered over the idea of ‘child’s play’ I have come to a conclusion. Sort of. - So here goes.
Children playing in the park, sand pits, dolls houses, they are all familiar memories, however distant they may be becoming. My scientific background isn’t too fantastic at the best of times but I can safely say, we have all been children. Now I like to think that imagination is something I have in abundance (however it’s quality can at times be questionable), but sit me down in front of a 2ft tall MDF house and ask me to entertain myself, and I’ll be hard pushed not to question your existence. Now bare with me, I am going somewhere with this.
Children are able to entertain themselves for hours on end, with nothing more than their imagination. Adults however, adults need structure and challenge and interaction. Children are able to form friendships before even grasping the ability to talk. Can you imagine (no pun intended) a friendship with no communication? It is easy to leap to the conclusion that this would be a somewhat unfulfilled relationship, but how will we ever really know?
Friendships are complex things, but inevitably they are what pull us through tough times, and make the good times, great. When I was younger I had a best friend in primary school, I couldn’t even tell you her surname now, but we were best friends for the best part of two weeks, all because we both liked the water pit. Simple. Now though, there’s star signs and favourite music and professions and lifestyles etc to take into account, it’s no water pit that’s for sure.
Children are happy and carefree and whilst I’m not urging you all to start playing in the mud, maybe we could all learn something from our younger generation. Are the simple things in life in fact the best? When was the last time you sat alone, with nothing more than your imagination, maybe we’d all go mad, but maybe, just maybe, a bit of childishness will keep us all young at heart.
FemaleFirst - Jennifer Stuart
Tagged in Parenting