I know it’s cliché, but they taught me that anything is possible. They have no sense of boundaries.

My son held my hand a few weeks ago on a walk home at night, looked up at me and asked “How do I know this isn’t all just a dream?”

I thought it was deep and introspective of him. He is four, verbally advanced and clearly more philosophical than I had given him credit for.

He shares a first and middle name with a person famous for thought provoking and a love of nature ;) So we often credit his brilliance to the name we chose to bestow upon him.

That I am not as afraid of dying as I used to think I was. I’d die in a second for any one of my four kids.

@SpatzieLover – that is so precious! which philosopher did you name him after, if I can ask?

@troubleinharlem You can ask…but…;D

Here’s a clue his name isn’t “Walden” ;) but that’s related to the name.

@SpatzieLover – gotcha. (:

I had a stepdaughter for nearly 8yrs and I learned to trust in receiving love from someone who had nothing to gain by loving me, that was really tremendous for me.

…..my son’s presence, innocence, attention, beauty, wonder… transformed me ,in an instant, from a young guy, experimenting with a young man’s life…. to an adult , working-to-become, responsible father .

You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.

How to make the transition from loving in presence to loving in separation.

Patience. My daughter has taught me a ton however patience is the best thing thus far.

That I will never be alone as long as I love them.

The the arguing between my husband and me is childish and mean. Not that we do it often, but she has said, “Daddy, stop talking mean to Mommy!” and “Stop talking bad to each other.” A three year old had a better grasp on how to treat others because she is constantly being told, share this, don’t hit, say you’re sorry, etc. We kind of grow up and forget those rules sometimes.

Also, she really made me think when asked in a very shaky voice where she had been when I said that, no, she wasn’t at our wedding because she hadn’t been born yet. The thought of being nothing after dying doesn’t phase me, but the thought of being nothing before I was conceived is very odd to me.

That I am not the center of the universe and how much I could love someone.

What pure, unconditional, selfless, fearless, love is.

The second I saw and held each of them I was struck. There is nothing or no one else that can bring that out in me. I look at them and listen to them. Their breathing when they sleep. The excitement when the accomplish something. The joy when they see me. I think “I created that.” I have never once felt worthy. I will never, ever stop feeling grateful.

Oh, and:

From my 4 year old daughter – She can apparently force choke (see Darth Vader) me, I just didn’t know it. I do now.

From my 7 year old son – I am no longer the gaming god in the house.

@SpatzieLover I didn’t remember your child’s name, but it didn’t take me a second (or the clue) to hit on it! Eerily alike as we are. :D

I can’t remember anything profound but my favorite is “Cookies make my tummy happy, they are good for me.”

@avvooooooo Hi Girl! :D

I’m not a parent but I’m a brother and my 9 year brother asked me a few months ago: “How do you know what’s good and what’s bad?”

@Christian95 One of my nephew’s (also 9) was recently asked about his “want” to do something “bad”...his mom asked him why he thought he didn’t give in to his desire and why some kids do. His answer was that the “bad” thing to o is enticing, and that he knew what the consequences would be if he gave in.

this is just a test, having technical issues

They taught me what true unconditional love is.

My dad is a long time environmental campaigner. He actually didn’t want kids before I was born—wasn’t sure he wanted to bring kids into the world…

(this was thirty years ago, before I came along)

Since having kids he says that whereas he would burnout before, now he has an infinite source of energy to fight.

@lifeflame what a great photo. such joy!

To always wear a condom.

Seriously, my wife is unable to have children and we love to travel so we don’t push for one.

Besides, I know that if I have a baby then I can’t be the baby…

I know that while not wanting one, if I had one I’d be instantly smitten.

That you are a far greater person than what you perceive yourself to be.

Sometime back was interacting with my 3 year old nephew. When he was speaking animatedly his fingers poked my eyes, as i was regaining control saying to myself ‘he is a kid and it happened accidently’ i would hear the words ‘i am sorry!’.

I never expected this!! For a moment was thinking about those grown-ups who don’t know the meaning of those words.

Forgiveness is very easy. This I learned from my 6-year-old. I cannot tell you how many times I have apologized to her about something because I overreacted. I would feel very bad about something I said and would tell her that I was sorry.

She sincerely said, “That’s okay mommy. I forgive you.” and just like that she moves on to something else. Thankfully I don’t need to apologize as much as I used to, but I sure learned a lot from her.

My son is mostly teaching me to laugh more at the moment…and the joys that can be found in a good tickle fight

Since you are dealing from the philosophical angle, this isn’t exactly what you want to hear. But one thing you can learn from kids is “how to breathe”. If you look at them, then their tummy keeps going in and out which happens to be the right way to breathe (if you are interested in health). As you grow, you stop doing this and start breathing with the chest expanding and going in.

@KungFuPanda That’s a perfectly good answer! I’m a trained opera singer so I’m lucky to know this but yes, very useful info!!! :-) x

From my then 5 year old at dinner: “I’m full. But my dessert tank is empty.”

There’s always room for dessert. It’s ok if dessert is all you have sometimes.

@worriedguy I love that x

What my Coast Guard son taught me…
“Even when you are wrong,
You are right.
Because knowing you are wrong,
Makes you right!