Humility is the virtue of seeing each sunrise as truly new. Little children have no trouble with this perspective, they could not live any other way. Everything is visceral to them, and they carry this visceral interiority everywhere.
I think "Sometimes toddlers are described as little drunk people that slowly sober over the years" is a decent analogy for their physical coordination as they grow, but it does a disservice to every other aspect. I am constantly surprised by how thoughtful and profound the questions my 4 year old asks me or comments made by my 2 year old that show me how much more of the world she understands than I assumed.
It only takes one child to know what it’s like to have a child. My daughter (9) has fundamentally altered nearly every perspective I had for 46 years before she was born. Terror and joy, terror and joy. I have been thoroughly broken open to my amazement.
Beautiful, Simon! As we prepare ourselves for the birth of our first child (due in August) it's a breath of fresh air to read your thoughts on parenthood and raising kids. May we continue on learning to see with the little ones.
Show don’t tell, Simon. So many vacuum-packed words and ideas. Reading your essay left me panting for air! Flaubert didn’t prattle on endlessly about Emma’s bad character. He showed her frozen with a spoonful of maraschino sorbet between her teeth. Or shoving her toddler into a chest of drawers. The Renaissance Man pose is tiresome. Coding and building a house isn’t writing. Are you smart enough to realize this fact? A place of humility is where to start.
My babies are 30 and 28, and watching them is still just as wonderful. Thanks for this lovely piece.
I'm too distracted by the cute photos to read, sorry not sorry :)
I think "Sometimes toddlers are described as little drunk people that slowly sober over the years" is a decent analogy for their physical coordination as they grow, but it does a disservice to every other aspect. I am constantly surprised by how thoughtful and profound the questions my 4 year old asks me or comments made by my 2 year old that show me how much more of the world she understands than I assumed.
Thank you for this.
Eye-opening piece as always. Thank you Simon
Just beautiful. You help us slow down to notice the wonder of childhood and privilege of parenting . Thanks Simon.
It only takes one child to know what it’s like to have a child. My daughter (9) has fundamentally altered nearly every perspective I had for 46 years before she was born. Terror and joy, terror and joy. I have been thoroughly broken open to my amazement.
Wonderful
Beautiful, Simon! As we prepare ourselves for the birth of our first child (due in August) it's a breath of fresh air to read your thoughts on parenthood and raising kids. May we continue on learning to see with the little ones.
Beautiful, heart warming piece.
Beautiful
Show don’t tell, Simon. So many vacuum-packed words and ideas. Reading your essay left me panting for air! Flaubert didn’t prattle on endlessly about Emma’s bad character. He showed her frozen with a spoonful of maraschino sorbet between her teeth. Or shoving her toddler into a chest of drawers. The Renaissance Man pose is tiresome. Coding and building a house isn’t writing. Are you smart enough to realize this fact? A place of humility is where to start.
Refrain from unkindness. Just unsubscribe and move on to things you prefer reading instead.