Monday 3 August 2015

Children Matter.

This post is late this week.

I'll not apologise, for my days have been full of grandchildren - preparing for their visit, managing the fun while they were here, and collapsing in a heap once they'd gone. But there should never be apologies for children.

You'll have to imagine the wonderfulness of my weekend. You only need to know that I have the most intelligent, beautiful, creative, athletic and loving grandchildren in the world.

Having established that, I want to take it one step further. Because, in spite of the position my own grandchildren have in the general scheme of things, I would suggest that all children should take priority.

For instance, when a family is eating together in a restaurant, children's meals should arrive first. Adults understand waiting, that their turn with come, that they will not be overlooked. They also know that it's easier to chop up a child's sausages when the table isn't laden with their own food, vegetables, and a bottle of wine.

For instance, anyone with a biggish buggy, or a double, has as much right to linger in the aisles of supermarkets, or stroll down the street, as anyone else. How else are parents meant to do their shopping? They shouldn't have to apologise to anyone, simply because they need to bring their children out in public.

Why does it matter so much? I know I worked in Child Protection, and so I spent my working life thinking of the child's point of view. So it's hardly surprising that's a habit I don't want to break.

But it's more than that. It's more than the cliche about children being our future and so we need to invest in them. It's more than recognising that if they aren't educated etc they'll not do the work we need them to do in order to fund our pensions.

It's about children bringing energy, and surprise, and curiosity. They remind us that earwigs, and sunflowers, and bits of stick all have a place in the world. They examine a ladybird with the same attention as a jeweller might give a diamond. They shush (though rarely for long) just to watch a squirrel run up a tree. They ask endless questions, for their world is new and different and wonderful.

Sometimes I watch the men and women in suits and think that what they really need is a dose of children. It is children who remind us that the world need not be driven by money. That the life cycle of the snail can be as absorbing as a need for speed. That rules are fine when they provide a framework but not when followed without question.

In short, I think some adults need a bit of a kick up the bum, and children - given the opportunity - can be so good at that!

13 comments:

  1. So are you implying that children's food should arrive before wine?

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    1. I should have known a daughter would spot that I was fibbing about the wine. Of course wine comes first.

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    2. Ha ha, that made me laugh and Anna is completly right.

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  2. Well, I'm hardly going to disagree with you! Whenever I see someone being 'mean' to a child, shouting at them, etc I get so cross! They are our most precious resource. Well said, Jo. WELL SAID!

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    1. Thanks, Carol - I doubt if the anti-child people will drop by here. Which is a shame as they are the ones I'd really like to read this!

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  3. Jo you are spot on. It is wonderful to once again see the world through the eyes of a child. I remember dinosaur boy when we watched a squirrel jump from one tree to another and miss, we stood with our heads back watching then fell into fits of laughter for ages.I wish I could have bottled that feeling. Your grandsons sound amazing. I have my two granddaughters tomorrow and then again on Friday over the week end,wish me luck.

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    1. You'll have a lovely time, Anne - just make sure there's wine in the fridge for when they've gone!

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  4. It must be wonderful to have children around you and to feed your inner child! But I can imagine the wine is an essential restorative once they've gone home!

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    1. I have a lovely neighbour who opened a bottle as they drove away!!

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  5. Yes, yes, yes! I couldn't agree more. And being around children (especially grandchildren!) gives us the added pleasure of appreciating the world's wonders through their eyes, and that is truly a glorious thing. My hubby and I aren't the world's most "dignified" people, but when our grandchildren are around, we relish being their silliness ringleaders.

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    1. Such a shame we need the excuse of children to play!

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  6. I'm tempted to disagree with you. You see, in my mind it is MY grandchildren who are the most intelligent, beautiful, creative etc etc... Seriously, we are not good in this country at accepting children in restaurants but I think things have improved since my children were babies. On the other hand, I met a friend at a garden centre cafe yesterday afternoon and someone's little boy was continually running up and down past our table screaming and yelling to the world. I must admit that we both wished that the aforementioned little boy could be removed from the premises.

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    1. If course their are a few 'little horrors' - but I can think of a few adults I wouldn't want to sit next to in cafes!

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