Should We Learn From Kids?

A few years ago I worked as an after-school caregiver to 4-7th graders. The job was especially challenging since training was minimal, and kids' needs were through-the-roof high. Many came from dysfunctional homes, had lots of challenges in school, zero conflict resolution skills, etc. But I loved it, and I grew attached to many of the kids. One in particular -- I'll call her Jennie -- came from a house where parents abused drugs and alcohol, experienced possibly some physical abuse, and a great deal of emotional abuse. She could tell I cared by the way I'd simply listen to her difficulties with other students, teachers, classwork, etc. She was often bluntly honest about the way she saw the world around her.

One day late in the year we had a new student join the after-school program. He didn't speak much English, which is hard enough as it is in an English-only class, but in this particular program, I was afraid these kids would eat the poor kid alive! These kids didn't communicate very well to each other in English; throw in a language barrier and watch the sparks fly. So I tried to be particularly kind to the new kid. Well, Jennie (remember, 4th grade!) called me on it one day and said, "You don't have to be all nice to the new kid. Why don't you treat him like you treat all of us?" Ouch. It stung not just my pride as an adult ("who's in authority here??"), but it stung because she was right! Someone a few weeks ago alerted me to this gal:

Whether you're on board with all her talking points, she brings up a provocative question (for me): what should we adults be learning from kids?

A friend of mine said about his own kids, "Kids present parents with the unique opportunity to grow up." Interesting that he didn't phrase it the other way around - he said parents have the opportunity to grow up! I know that was true for me with Jennie. I could have gotten defensive and scolded her, but instead I just received it and moved on. I know many of you readers are parents - whether you are or aren't, what do you think? Any noteworthy stories along these lines?