Kids love adults doing ‘kid stuff’
So, I’ve always enjoyed doing what some people (like my wife, my mom, and many of my friends) consider kid stuff. Reading books, watching cartoons, playing games, and buying the latest game consoles.
Back at FairMarket my friend Fay brought her son in to work one day. She sat near two of my friends who like the Dragon Ball cartoon series. I walked over to say “hi” to Fay’s son and I started by asking, “which one do you like better? Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, or Dragon Ball GX?” He said, “Dragon Ball” and then my two friends jumped in with each of their favorites. You should have seen his eyes go wide at the sight of 3 adult men discussing something he could actually relate to.
A few years ago I was picking up a pizza and two kids were sitting there while their parents were both working there. It was just a takeout place so they were being really well behaved and people just came and went without noticing them. The boy was playing his gameboy and I saw he was playing the latest pokemon game. So, I grabbed my gameboy and showed him what I had done so far. He and his sister had the same look at Fay’s son. Even their parents smiled and appreciated someone acknowledging and entertaining their kids a little bit.
That leads me to today’s example. I was having lunch in Panera and was reading the final Harry Potter book. I noticed the family kept looking over and the oldest of the two little girls started to say something to me but was too shy. When I was back from getting a soda and reseating myself the oldest said, “how are you liking your book?” (Big smile) It is so funny, the mom, dad and two girls were just looking and smiling at an adult dude sitting out in public reading Harry Potter. So, we had a quick discussion and they giggled a bit. She was only on chapter 4 and was impressed I was on 12.
Kids just want to have fun and like to have things in common with adults. Encourage kids. Teach them that life can be fun and doesn’t have to be all drama.