How Kids Turn Introverts Into Extroverts

I am not saying that I used to be an introvert, but before I had children I sort of kept to myself. I always thought of myself as friendly and would occasionally say hello to people as I passed, but for the most part I guess I really was a bit of introvert. Boy how kids change that. Yesterday when I was walking around with my son, he happily greeted every single person we passed. He would say “hello” or “hi” or “hi ya” and insisted on repeating his friendly salutation until the person would respond (which sadly enough some did not). As we went into everystore my son continued his chorus of greetings. As we entered the park he ran up to all the kids (and their caregivers) and would continue his mingling and socializing, as if he were hosting some sort of party for all of his new friends, and wanted to put them all at ease. I looked on in amazement and sheer joy at his forthrightness, friendliness, and pure love of other people. In his actions he reminds me that it is okay to smile, wave, and say hello to those we pass or interact with. As he encounters every individual with this same friendliness regardless of their age, race, job, physical appearance, ethnicity, or religion, he reminds me not only to be more open and outgoing than I might be comfortable with, but also to embrace all those around me, no matter who they are or where they come from. Now that’s what I call the kid teaching the mom a lesson!