I’m not a parent, but I spend a lot of time with little ones ages 1 to 3 as a volunteer, and honestly, they might be some of the coolest people I know.
They’re goofy, brave, wonderfully weird, and completely unpredictable in the most charming ways. These are some of the things that babies teach us about being human.
One of my favorite things to watch is what happens when “Danny Go” starts playing. It feels like someone presses a magic button. Suddenly there are tiny arms waving through the air, little feet stomping with the confidence of professional dancers, and smiles so big they could power a whole city. One kid even has a full routine that he performs every time. He somehow gets the others to cheer him on like he is the headliner of a preschool concert. It is adorable chaos and pure, unfiltered joy.
What surprises me most is how determined children this age can be. Even when they are not feeling their best, they still try. I have seen kids with stuffy noses and watery eyes wandering from toy to toy, half sneezing, half giggling, and fully committed to having fun. They will hold a blanket in one hand and a puzzle piece in the other and just keep going.
Recently, one little guy was having a very hard day. He was tired and overwhelmed, and nothing seemed to help. Then someone handed him a toy fire truck, and everything changed. He held onto it as if it were the most comforting thing in the world. Maybe for him, it really was.
Moments like these remind me that the small things matter so much.
A song.
A spontaneous dance break.
A bright red fire truck handed to the right child at the right time.
Little ones might be messy, loud, sticky, and unpredictable, but they are also some of the most joyful, imaginative, and genuine people I have ever met. I leave every time with a story that makes me laugh for days.
So no, I am not a parent, but I get to spend time with these tiny legends every week. It is truly one of the best parts of my life. And if you have never seen a little one with a stuffy nose hugging a fire truck like it holds the key to world peace, you are missing out on something pretty special.
Guest Post: Amaris Chavez-Neri
