When we adults think of children, there is a simple truth
which we ignore: childhood is not preparation for life,
childhood is life. A child isn’t getting ready to live, a
child is living.
The child is constantly confronted with the nagging
question: “What are you going to be?” Courageous would be
the youngster who, looking the adult squarely in the face,
would say, “I’m not going to be anything, I already am.”
We adults would be shocked by such an insolent remark, for
we have forgotten, if indeed we ever knew, that a child is
an active, participating and contributing member of
society from the time of birth.
Childhood isn’t a time when he is moulded into a human who
will then live life; he is a human who is living life. No
child will miss the zest and joy of living unless these
are denied…by adults who have convinced themselves that
childhood is a period of preparation.
How much heartache we would save ourselves if we would
recognize the child as a partner with adults in the
process of living, rather than always viewing him an an
apprentice. How much we could teach each other: adults
with the experience and children with the freshness. How
full both our lives could be.
Little children may not lead us, but at least we ought to
discuss the trip with them; for, after all, life is their
journey, too.
