The Genius of Kids                         Principal’s Connection                  October 8, 2007

             I think most of us enjoy TV programs that involve funny and silly things that kids say. Not too long ago, one of the networks paid a tribute to Art Linkletter, “Kids Say the Darnedest Things.”  The host of the show was Bill Cosby. He began the program by showing fifteen hilarious video clips from Linkletter’s early shows.  After each clip an individual was introduced –- the same child all grown up, to greet Linkletter with a big hug!  Was Art Linkletter surprised!

            But that was the least of it.  At the end of the program, Cosby announced that the studio audience was filled with folks who, as kids, had appeared on Linkletter’s show. About four hundred people stood, holding children of their own or with their entire families.  They were introduced to Linkletter as his face lit up with joy and amazement. He was overwhelmed with teary-eyed surprise. This man spent much of his life and talent infusing others with joy, especially children. Now the program managers had tracked down the kids he had interviewed from all over the country — to bring him joy.  Here was a man who enchanted us by looking at things from a child’s point of view.

            Kids are people who seem to pay as little attention to discouragement as possible.  They catch a ray of sunshine and hold on tight. They are often masters of the best kind of assertiveness — barging right into life. Kids know that a good laugh and long sleep are the best cures for what ails you — and that you should never buy a coffee table that you cannot put your feet on. If kids could tell parents the secret to raising them right, they’d say, “Spend half as much money and twice as much time on us!”  They’d say “Tickle us more and be close! Play with us and then you can teach us anything you want!”  They’d say, “We’re listening to everything you don’t’ say. We’re watching everything you do!”

In “How to Win Grins and Influence Little People,” (Honor  Books) Clint Kelly gives parents great ideas. Here are a few.

• Grab your child in a bear hug and say, “You’re a living miracle.”
• Record your child’s laughter and then play it back and explain to your child, “That their laugh is music to your ears.”
• “Let’s play!”

As a parent we all recognize our child’s vulnerabilities.  We don’t ever want to use them against them.  We are certainly careful not to. We must learn to honor their weakness and hallow their childish innocence. You fly the flag of joy from the castle of their life every day they live under your roof. You get down on their level and make sure you are having as good a time as they are. Nothing is as precious as those giggles you share with them, at all ages. Your kids must hear you laugh and often. Probably all of us should loosen up a bit, kick off our shoes, let our hair down, and have fun.

            Keep happiness close to the surface of your life. If you’re going through deep waters, financial trouble, serious stress at work, double deadlines, arguments with your family members, it is even more important that you make yourself available to your kids—not just for their sake, but for yours.  You need them.  Don’t ever pull away because you are too busy or can’t give them time for fun. You need their ability to hope and to be happy.

            Did you know that researchers say that the simple act of turning your lips up, instead of down, stimulates good feelings?  No matter how down you feel, how rotten, try smiling at yourself....first thing in the morning ....last thing at night. You will feel better if you smile rather than wallow in your unhappiness.  Then, as you feel better, you can attend more to your kids with more questions about things they might be feeling.

            I hope that as parents, all of us come to realize that magic moments don’t require special circumstances.  You can accomplish so much more with those quiet and special moments of laughing, talking, reading, walking, etc. Every time that your child sees you happy and investing in them emotionally, you’re are binding them closer with invisible rope.  If the rope ever starts to unravel, you tie a knot on the end and hang on!  Never give up with your kids.  They say our kids need 12 hugs a day as a minimum.   They need our positive attention.  They need to hear our compliments and encouragements.   As we are we will be blessed with what our kids say to us — the darnedest things-in the most amazing ways.

            To be in our child’s memories tomorrow, we have to be in their lives today.

Matthew 18:5   “Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.”