Seeing the World Through a Child's Eye

By Maria Bailey

One of the best parts of being a parent is having the ability to see the world through your child's eyes. Most of us are guilty of not taking the time to truly appreciate it. But, every once in a while our children will exhibit the characteristics of discovery loud enough for us to stop and take notice. Each time this happens to me, I silently promise I will try to enjoy more of these moments for a very selfish reason. I love those moments. They help remind me of my own fond memories as a child as well as make me feel younger. And believe me, feeling younger is something I have a growing appreciation for these days.

So, what did my children do to get me thinking about the joys of learning? I needed a plumbing part for one of our always-clogged, ever-running toilets and because I refuse to pay a plumber for Sunday repairs, I took the kids with me to Kmart. I didn't realize it was their first visit to a Kmart. Now, don't think I've deprived my children from multiple visits to a super-store. Just the opposite, they know every aisle of the Target store down the street. They even know the toy department clerks by first name. They are Target-breed boys for sure. Knowing this will help you appreciate their confusion when they saw the large, oversized bluelight flashing in Kmart. After doing a few dance steps under the blue strobe, my two sons yelled over to me. "Mom, why do they have a bluelight hanging from the ceiling?" yelled Owen followed by Keenan shouting, "What's a bluelight special?"

I could hear the snickers of two women shopping on the next aisle. They were definitely laughing at my boys because they didn't know about bluelight specials. I wanted to ensure the same two ladies that a bluelight experience might not be at the top of their list, but they could navigate a Target store or stock Legos shelves at Toys R US. The questions prompted a discussion about when I was a child and there were no Targets. And stories about how women used to run to the bluelights in order to buy notebook paper for 3 for $1 if they got to the school supply department in the next two minutes. I remember my mother sending me running to grab up the bluelight specials.

Realizing just how much we take for granted in our children, I thought about how many other things they don't know. On our family trip to Washington DC last spring, the one thing they were most amazed about was slavery. I didn't realize until walking through the Smithsonian Museum of American History that my children had never learned about slavery and racial discrimination. It wasn't a topic of first grade history and although we spend a lot of time on history lessons at home, we've only just arrived at the Revolutionary War. Their first question was of course, what's a slave? Then, they innocently asked why anyone would make black people drink from different water fountains. Wow. It validated the thought that our children are a product of what we make them. Sure, they are born with a certain amount of intelligence or talents, but their prejudices and behaviors are largely impacted by their parents.

I remember driving home from the hospital with Madison, who was only two days old, and passing a homeless man on the street corner and thinking that here was this little baby who didn't know anything about homelessness, poverty, crime or AIDS. Wouldn't it be wonderful if she could have maintained that innocence? Instead, I have to educate her on the topics so that she may protect herself from falling victim to any of these perils. It makes holding onto the good thoughts all that more important. As adults when we have to face all the challenges life throws at us, it's reminiscing on the day we danced under a bluelight for the first time that brings a smile to our face.

Find a moment this week to share the discoveries of your children and hold on to it.

I will have plenty of time to see the world through my children's eyes in the next two weeks as we depart on our family vacation. I guess I should say, "wish me luck" but I've actually been looking for some additional challenge since school has gotten out. I've already jumped the first hurdle, by packing for six people in less than a dozen suitcases. Let me pat myself on the back for a second, I managed to get six sleeping bags, two fishing rods, eight flashlights, four beach towels, dozens of airplane toys, snacks, 24 pairs of shoes and seven days worth of clothes for each member of our family in only five bags! Stayed tuned for my diary when I return. I am going camping with a two-year-old that has never slept outside a crib, so I should have a few stories to tell.

Share your thoughts on our message board or email Maria.

Also see:
• Week Forty-One -- Re-living single days teaches the importance of family
• Week Forty -- Sometimes we need a break
• Week Thirty-Nine -- Summer camps
• Week Thirty-Eight -- The teachers that shape our lives
• Week Thirty-Seven -- Reuniting with old friends
• Week Thirty-Six -- Tips for managing a large family
• Week Thirty-Five --Fulfilling my dreams
• Week Thirty-Four --Parenting approaches
• Week Thirty-Three -- Combining a business trip with spring break
• Week Thirty-Two -- Making Spring Break plans
• Week Thirty-One -- Importance of a Support System
• Week Thirty -- Life is good
• Week Twenty-nine -- My nine year anniversary
• Week Twenty-Eight --Does birth order matter?
• Week Twenty-Seven -- Things we take for granted
• Week Twenty-Six -- My youngest turned two
• Week Twenty-Five -- Losing someone you love
• Week Twenty-Four -- Where's the romance in Valentine's Day?
• Week Twenty-Three -- The call I've been waiting for
• Week Twenty-Two -- Where did the weekend go?
• Week Twenty-One -- Business trip challenges
• Week Twenty -- Girl Scout cookie time
• Week Nineteen -- Thoughts on motherhood
• More diary entries

Maria Bailey is the CEO and founder of BlueSuitMom.com and a mother of four children under the age of seven.