Living in this modern age with attention-sucking screens, one can fritter hours away indoors, just veging out on the couch, doomscrolling or watching an infinite variety of video channels and streaming services.

Responsible parenthood, however, puts an end to that. Now a small human being is dependent on you to navigate this planet, and like dogs, your child needs a regular dose of the outside world to flourish. This, in turn, keeps you on your toes and helps you stay in shape.

Now mundane activities like grocery-shopping may come with the stress of possible tantrums or the hassle of loading your child into a car seat or a pram, but they are also fantastic teachable moments and bonding time.

Explorers

My toddler son, at the tender age of 2.5 years, has learned how to scan the groceries at the self-checkout, and relishes being able to “help” by carrying an item or two on the walk home. I obtained a free wagon off Marketplace; instead of hopping in with his sister, he insisted on pulling it all the way to the shops and back!

He pauses to hug various trees on the way, and exclaims with excitement over each truck, bike and plane in the vicinity.

His little sister, just over a year old, stops to wave hello at all and sundry (though she is now at the stage where she will protest vociferously if a non-parent tries to hold her), and is especially taken by dogs, studiously observing those strange furry creatures tied up at storefronts. Both toddlers are very interested when ibises stalk by, and start scurrying after the majestic birds. To us, they may be annoying pests – to new humans, they are amazing beings.

Awe

A toddler’s inquisitive streak turns ordinary things into objects of wonder. Today, my children stopped to gaze at a digger (excavator) in action on a vacant lot. Every time a siren sounds, my son stops to listen intently. His highlight of the week is bin day, when he keeps an ear out for the garbage truck and rushes out to observe its fascinating mechanics.

When I do the laundry, the washing machine shudders to life and becomes another source of engagement. Before the age of one, my son quickly learned how to operate the buttons, and he really likes being involved in the process.

He also wants to “help” carry the washing basket (I take the front end and drag it along the floor as he holds onto the other side), and enthusiastically assists in hanging up the clothes (though he hasn’t completely got the hang of it).

One recent morning, he clambered out of bed and made a beeline for the machine, unloaded all the clothes and dragged them to the clothes horse, whereupon he started putting them on the line. A conscientious kid!

The most thrilling chore for my son is vacuuming. When Dad brings out the vacuum cleaner, he grabs his toy vacuum and has a good go at “cleaning” the floor.

When Dad cooks, he also hurries to his toy kitchen and starts “frying” eggs, proudly serving them up to me on a tiny plastic plate.

One does not have to go much out of one’s way to entertain the kids – the world is new to them, and they just want to learn from you how to exist and operate in this strange and marvellous place. In turn, they teach you to slow down and truly appreciate the wonderful intricacies and simple beauty of ordinary life.

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Image courtesy of Moon Family.