I think children are supremely underrated as sources of intelligent thought. So often we dismiss their nonsensical chatter as just that…nonsense. The last couple of days I’ve spent some time actually listening to the words that come out of my kids’ tiny little mouths and have been amazed at what has come flowing from their pure intellects. I thought I might impart on you, my fellow friends, these little pearls of wisdom so that you may experience a smidge of the enlightenment infusing itself throughout this suburban household.

• Don’t eat all the candy, momma. Just eat one. You’ll get an ache in your tummy. ~ Jackson

I’m not, traditionally, a big candy eater but have a particular hankering for Hot Tamales. They burn my tongue and satisfy my sweet tooth all at once. Love them. A lot. Jack has noticed. He’s worried. And, he’s right. They do give me an “ache in my tummy” (and, unfortunately, a dimple in my thighs.)

• We shouldn’t lie, mom. It make’s it too hard to remember the truth.” ~Avery

Avery is in the first grade and by all rights this should make her a “liar, liar, pants on fire”. However, I’ve noticed that she’s not very gifted at it. One tilt of my head and a questioning gaze in her direction brings her melting to the ground in a pool of her own lies, truth spewing from her mouth at alarming rates. She has learned, early on I must say, that it is much easier to start with the truth because the “melting in lies” process is tedious and energy-draining. (Disclosure: Her tendency towards honesty is not 100% fool-proof and I am not kidding myself in thinking that she will never lie to me. I am, however, fully confident that I will catch her in them. Every. Single. Time.)

• Turkeys have feet. Cows have feet. Garbage cans have wheels. ~ Jackson

Wow. I’m really trying to open my mind to the hidden genius in this statement. I know it’s there. It’s just taking some time to reveal itself.

• I’m pretty sure the neighbor stares at us at night. ~ Avery

Ahhh. At first thought, I interpret this to mean that we are all products of our own judgment. The “neighbor” is a metaphor for our own paranoia at being exposed for our inadequacies. “Night” being a metaphor for the point in time our character craves to undergo a complete renewal process, as our bodies are allowed with each sleep. At second thought, I realized that Avery is not that enlightened and truly believes our neighbor stares at us at night. And, I think she might be right as our broken window blinds affords him the perfect opportunity. Creepy. (Edited to add for reassurance: The kids have never actually seen our neighbor stare at us, they are just assuming that our bright picture window open for the world to see would be far too much enticement for the neighbor to resist. I have to say, I am often thinking the same thing while doing my evening workouts…the sole reason I have opted out of jumping jacks. He doesn’t deserve that.)

So, there you have it: some little jewels of wisdom to help us navigate our way through the perilous journey of life. Start listening to the little ones around you, folks. They are much wiser than their germ-infested, slightly selfish, unconditional loving, slapstick-humored, snotty little selves let on.

Mindy