Change

For adults, change can be voluntary or forced. Mostly, we dread the both kinds. Recently, my husband and I took a gigantic step of moving from not just a city or a country, but from one continent to another. Even though, for us, it was returning to our home town… for our 3 year-old daughter, it was moving to a completely new place. For her, it was change in place, environment, people, school...everything. The only familiar aspect was her parents and few of her toys.

Even though we had anticipated the effect of change on her, little did we expect her to remember the small and seemingly, insignificant things. Suddenly, a rocking chair, her baby brush, a torn purse, all of which I had disposed of, before leaving, became a point of discussion in our home. It even led to a few tears and finally ended with buying a new toy!

Before moving, my husband and I discussed endlessly about the change and the effect it would have on us. We never really gave a serious thought to our daughter’s reaction, she being “just a 3 year old”! However, for “just 3 year old” kids, familiarity is very important. They see, hear and experience new things every moment. Probably, the only comfort zone for them is familiarity.

At the same time, kids are much more flexible than adults. As much as they like to cling on to familiar things, they adapt to new situations even better. After 6 months of moving to the new town, my daughter has adapted in many ways, including, learning the language and the ‘very local slang’ as if she was born here! 3 year olds don’t have the memory of an adult and soon she will even forget about her old home.

It’s us, adults who cling on to old memories and refuse to let go of them… and in doing so, maybe even miss the fun of today!