Remember when we were kids? Like, small kids, 3 years old, innocent, happy-go-lucky, living the life to the fullest. Sleeping, eating, playing, enjoying. No responsibilities, no studies, no tensions. Naive and gullible.
We didn't even know about stress and mental illnesses.
Remember how we wished to grow up so we could do things? And how we're wishing to be a child again now.
When we could play at a park on the fun rides like swings and slides, had many friends, everyone- even strangers- talked to us. You had nothing to worry about. And now, you're scared that everyone will judge you, you're insecure, most probably mentally ill, exhausted, stressed, worry about everything.
Remember when we could be ourselves without being insecure? When people would clap even if we recited the alphabets, be it in wrong order. But now, people judge you and you judge them for slightest of mistakes. You feel anxious and scared that people will remember your tiniest of slips and will blackmail you and judge you for rest of the life.
You were free. Had real people in your life. Now you're in a cage. Stuck with work, studies, earning money, fake people, complains, and criticism.
Remember when no one was offended by your opinions? And now, there's a million people against your opinions. And you're alone in the battle.
Remember when you could be yourself with the kids? Play and yell, throw, laugh. Fight. And very next moment, be friends again. Apologize without ego. You were innocent and didn't even know about these problems you're facing now. Yet, you wished to grow up, to experience these.
Now, no matter how hard you try, you can't be a kid with the kids. You can't be as innocent. You can never get your ego out of your way, and lose many great opportunities. You can't play like a kid. You can't yell anytime for no reason without being bombarded with thousands of angry questions. No matter how hard you try, you can never act like a kid with a kid and stop acting like a grown-up with them. You can't be as naive as them and question everything. And look, now that you've grown up, you wish to turn back time, and be a kid again.
But we can't go back. Let kids live their life without any restrictions.
Don't be narcissistic. Let them face their own problems. Teach them to love themselves no matter what, teach them to enjoy, be happy, be optimistic, be caring. Teach them to respect everyone. Teach them to never judge anyone by the looks. Let them be themselves.
Don't force them for anything. Understand their problems from their point of view, especially during adolescence. Don't blame them, don't ever compare them to anyone else, don't be the parent you never had, be the parent they want you to be. Don't spoil them.
If they're different, they're unique.
No one is a disgrace or a burden.
Don't do anything that can make them feel them that way. Don't blame them for something you did, just to save your own reputation in front of someone.
Don't lie to them or hide anything from them. Win their trust. Be open and let them be open. Don't force them to blurt things out if they don't want to talk about it. Educate them in fields they find interest in. Not in the field you want them to be in. Let them express themselves.
Find a peer group if needed because they need friends and activities. If you restrict their social life in any way, don't. They'll grow up anxious and insecure. If they say that they're not up for something, don't be angry or upset, give them their time and space. Please let them do what they want to do as long as they find happiness in it. Don't ever dominate them. Don't underestimate them.
If they're not cis gendered or heterosexual, it's not their choice. Accept them for who they are and let them be happy and expressive. It's not unnatural or a curse or a sin to be different. If they're depressed, even to the slightest, or signs of any other mental illness is noticed, please meet a therapist or psychiatrist.
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