We learned the hard way. We learned by experience. We picked up the social cues. We got the message.

There’s a reason we dress pretty much like everyone else. There’s a reason we only sing in private. There’s a reason we don’t always say what we think. There’s a reason we keep our feelings hidden away.

Because we’ve been hurt. We’ve been humiliated. We’ve been told, hey that’s not cool and hey, that’s not how we do things.

But our kids? They’re still unafraid. They are not yet cynical. They have not been taught conformity or what’s “cool.” And that’s part of what makes them so wonderful and fun, isn’t it? They’ll sing at the top of their lungs (regardless of talent). They have never even considered how they should dress, only what they like. They’ll tell a stranger they love them.

We should protect that as long as possible…and if possible, try to learn (or unlearn, rather) from it, too.