18 Lessons I Learned from My 5-Year-Old

My first child turned 5 the other day and it somehow seems more significant than previous birthdays (other than the first, of course). Why, I’m not entirely sure, other than her being able to hold up one full hand for her age, being on her way to kindergarten and being only 11 (!!) years away from driving. During the past 5 years, I have experienced a lifetime worth of joy, despair, unconditional love, frustration, excitement, amazement and even sadness. And while I strive to teach my daughter about life and how to navigate it, she has certainly taught me a thing or two about it as well.

Here are 18 of the best lessons I’ve learned from my daughter in the first 5 years:

1. Plan as much as you want and know that at least 99% of your plan will go out the window due to a fever, the flu, a lice outbreak or just outright refusal (note: thankfully no lice outbreaks in my house – yet!)

2. Don’t listen to anyone, and you will get what you want anyway

3. Don’t eat your vegetables, and you’ll get dessert anyway

4. You can make space in your home for just about any object as long as it has no value whatsoever

5. If an object does have value, it’s a lot of fun to drop or throw it

6. Go ahead and throw a temper tantrum – you’ll feel much better afterward

7. Even when you act like a wild, uncaged animal, mom will still tuck you in and say she loves you

8. Someone will always come to your aid in the middle of the night when you scream their name, even if it’s just to refill your water cup or pull up a blanket

9. Stickers are awesome, especially when they are stuck to the floor, table and doors

10. Sharing is overrated, especially with a sibling

11. Don’t bother using a napkin since stains look cool

12. For that matter, why use a fork or spoon? Fingers are much easier

13. Friends are good; friends with candy are great

14. Grandparents will spoil you so take full advantage of them; they also won’t discipline you, so feel free to act out around them

15. Lollipops, especially if they are swirly, will solve any problem

16. When mom says no, go to dad. When dad says no, go back to mom. When both say no, do it anyway

17. Smile big and open your eyes wide to get people to say yes

18. There is no place like being at home with mom and dad

I can’t wait to see what she'll teach me in the next 5 years! Surely you have learned a few things from your child; feel free to share them here.