Kids are our future; they are the life focus for many of us who are making sure they are fed, clothed, educated and loved. Even if we do not have children ourselves, all of us can support parents in our communities as they work to raise young people into kind, responsible, and productive adults.
As a top paternity test company, our life’s work is to help parents find the answers they’re looking for, and those answers always involve kids: of all ages, ethnicities, family situations, and economic circumstances. We do this through easy, affordable at-home DNA testing. Every person has 23 pairs of chromosomes with DNA containing generations of family traits, so here are 23 reasons to be thankful for kids and how they help us be better grown-ups.
1. They’re inspiring.
Is there anything more amazing than holding a brand-new baby? Children help us want to be better people and inspire us to be a good example for them to follow.
2. They’re challenging.
No doubt about it – kids of all ages can test our patience. On the other hand, the challenges help us discover strengths and problem-solving skills we never knew we had.
3. They’re sincere.
Is there any 3-year-old on this planet who hesitates to tell us exactly what they think? Toddlers mean what they say and say what they mean-and it’s so endearing!
4. They’re joyful.
A butterfly. A swirling dryer at a laundromat. The first snowflake. Kids find joy and wonder in ordinary things, and their excitement about it all helps us see the world differently.
5. They’re silly.
Unbridled laughter when they get tickled. Dumb jokes. Children are often silly, and that glee is contagious. Feeling blue? When we hang out with little kids, it doesn’t last long.
6. They’re determined.
Whether it’s a baby rolling over for the first time or an older kid trying so hard to score that first soccer goal, children are determined. We can learn a lot from their fearlessness and tenacity.
7. They love to hug.
Doctors say hugging makes you healthier. In fact, 20-second hug reduces stress and positively impacts blood pressure and heart rate (Mercola). Good thing little ones love to hug us!
8. They’re forgiving.
Parents make mistakes: it’s inevitable. When we ask a small child for forgiveness, it’s freely given. Saying ‘I’m sorry’ to kids is a great life lesson for them: no one is perfect.
9. They keep us going
Experts agree that parents are great motivators for children. But they do as much for us! They get us up, out, moving and doing every day: so the support and encouragement goes both ways.
10. They love holding hands
As with hugging, multiple studies show holding hands reduces stress for everyone (Hitti), and kids love it! So when we hold their hands while crossing the street or when walking in the park, we’re both safer and heart-happy.
11. Their handmade gifts
Nothing says “I love you” more sincerely than a crayon-smeared card or macaroni necklace. They’re the gifts we keep forever.
12. Their little voices
Parents instinctively recognize their own children’s voices because they’re imprinted on our hearts. Little voices are one of the sweetest sounds that can reach our ears.
13. Their tenderness
If we’re sad, our kids can feel it and they might offer a hug or an ‘I love you’ when we need it most. That tenderness is also shown toward their best friends and especially animals.
14. Their wisdom
There’s a reason for that saying from Psalms, ‘Out of the mouth of babes, God ordains strength.’ Even young children can be remarkably wise, and they give us reality checks every day.
15. They keep us humble
Toddlers especially tend to ask their parents questions. LOTS of questions. They’re often the same ones over and over, but sometimes they’re hard questions about the meaning of life or a similar topic, and we don’t always have the answers.
16. Their optimism
More often than not, kids walk on the sunny side of the street and like to believe the world is their oyster and wonderful things will happen to them.
17. They keep us focused
Some days we just want to quit our jobs and go lie on a beach somewhere. Children remind us of our responsibilities and keep us from doing silly, impulsive things.
18. They keep life interesting
Finding a snake in the bathtub or discovering that a child gave the dog a haircut may not be what we had in mind today, but these types of events certainly do keep life interesting!
19. They are compassionate
If kids had their way, there would feed all the starving children in third-world countries and adopt every homeless pet. Their compassion for those who are downtrodden or struggling is undeniable.
20. They’re noisy
We may not be thankful for this now, but when they’re grown and gone, we miss the chaos. A lot.
21. They’re unique
They’re so much like their parents, yet each one is still their own individual person with unique (and loveable) traits.
22. They’re beautiful
Big nose or little nose. Freckles or fair. Athletic or klutzy. Brainy or artsy. Serious or funny. All kids are beautiful-in their own ways.
23. They give us purpose
If kids are a part of our lives, wouldn’t our days be a whole lot emptier without them to fill it up? Knowing who their parents are and where they come from can give our children purpose too.
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Resources
Mercola, Dr. Joseph. “How Hugging Makes You Healthier and Happier.” Mercola.com. Dr. Joseph Mercola, 6 Feb. 2014. Web. 17 Nov. 2015. <http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/02/06/hugging.aspx>.
“Be the Motivation Your Kids Need.” P&G. Procter & Gamble, 22 Sept. 2015. Web. 17 Nov. 2015. <http://www.pgeveryday.com/family-life/family-bonding/article/12-ways-to-motivate-your-children-inspired-by-moms-of-olympians>.
Hitti, Miranda, and Louise Change, MD. “Holding Hands May Reduce Stress.” WebMD. WebMD, 20 Dec. 2006. Web. 17 Nov. 2015. <http://www.webmd.com/balance/news/20061220/holding-hands-may-reduce-stress>.
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