Childhood & Curiosity – The Days of Wonder

The Guiding Hands – Parents

Behind every discovery in childhood are the gentle hands of parents. A mother becomes the first teacher—holding our hand as we learn to walk, whispering words of encouragement when we stumble, and wiping away our tears as though pain was never meant to last.

A father, often quietly, becomes the shield. He works, sacrifices, and carries the invisible burdens, so that our childhood can remain free of worries. In his silence, he speaks volumes—teaching us what strength looks like, not through words, but through actions.

They are not perfect, but in our eyes, they are everything. Their love is not always spoken, but it is always felt.

The Silent Blessings – Grandparents

And then there are the grandparents—the gentle souls who carry stories, traditions, and an endless well of patience. To them, we are not just children—we are extensions of their dreams, proof that life continues.

A grandmother’s lap becomes the safest place in the world, her lullabies carrying us into sleep with melodies older than time. A grandfather’s stories become our first lessons about courage, honesty, and kindness—tales that shape our imagination and teach us values long before school ever does.

Grandparents remind us that love does not always need to be loud; sometimes, it is in the quiet act of peeling an orange for us, or waiting by the door to see us return from play.

*** Research****

According to a research indian kids raise by grandparents alone with parents exhibit higher emotional maturity, stability, and well-being, linked to intergenerational emotional buffering and reduced insecurity. Nuclear family children show more immaturity indicators like instability and regression.enhance holistic development (social, cognitive, language) and health habits, shaping resilient trajectories. Nuclear may foster self-reliance but lag in support during transitions like adolescence or crises.

The Curiosity of a Child

This phase of life is filled with endless questions:

"Why is the sky blue?"
"Where does the sun go at night?"
"Why do stars twinkle?"

To a child, every question is a window into the mysteries of the universe. Curiosity is their way of exploring, understanding, and connecting with the world.

In the late 90s, life was different. Parents and grandparents often had the time and patience to nurture this curiosity. If a parent was busy, a grandparent would step in—answering questions, telling stories, guiding gently. Children could spend hours learning from the wisdom of older generations, exploring the world safely under watchful and loving eyes. Curiosity was celebrated. Questions were treasures, not interruptions.

Sadly, in today’s world, things have changed. Many parents are focused on building careers, chasing money, and managing countless responsibilities. Time has become scarce. The simple act of a child asking “why?” can sometimes be met with impatience or stress. Some parents may unintentionally discourage curiosity—not out of malice, but because they are burdened by pressures, exhaustion, or anxiety.

This shift has subtle consequences. When children’s questions are ignored or brushed aside, they may feel unseen, unheard, or less confident in exploring their world. The natural spark of wonder that drives learning and imagination can dim.

Yet, even in this fast-paced world, the lesson remains: curiosity is life’s most precious gift. Parents, grandparents, and caregivers hold the power to nurture it, to celebrate it, and to ensure that even in busy lives, the child’s heart continues to discover, wonder, and grow.

The Joy of Simple Things

Remember those days? When joy meant chasing butterflies, playing in the mud, or running barefoot in the rain? When happiness wasn’t hidden in big achievements, but in little victories—like riding a bicycle without falling, or building the tallest sandcastle on the beach?

As children, we didn’t need luxury to feel rich. We were wealthy with laughter, with imagination, with dreams untainted by fear.

The Unnoticed Lessons

What we don’t realize as children is that those years teach us the foundation of life:

• From our parents, we learn love, sacrifice, and responsibility.

• From our grandparents, we learn patience, wisdom, and the importance of roots.

• From curiosity, we learn that the world is vast, and that questions are more valuable than answers.

Closing Thought

Childhood is not just a chapter of play—it is the heartbeat of innocence stretched a little longer, protected by the love of parents and softened by the blessings of grandparents. It is the phase where we first learn that we are not alone in this journey—there are hands to hold us, arms to catch us, and hearts that beat for us even before we know how to beat for ourselves.

And though we grow, move forward, and change, a part of us always longs for those days of wonder. Because childhood is not something we leave behind—it is something we carry within us, always.