Being a parent really gives you a chance to be a kid again. That being said, I present to you my latest creative pursuit. Truth be told, I had a little help. My 5-year-old is wildly into Lego these days. I was a Lego fanatic when I was a kid, so the fact that we can share in something I used to spend hours enjoying is incredibly healing for my inner child. I don't remember my parents ever really playing with my toys with me, so I make the effort to do it differently. When I was young, I spent an inordinate amount of time alone building Lego, but on some level I think I preferred it that way. It's soothing. Something about it regulates you, forces you to use your prefrontal cortex and abandon your lizard brain.
My son is pretty sharp and has picked up on the art of building intricate Lego sets fairly quickly. He makes note of the symmetry he sees. Even though he has the makings of a great Lego architect, it's our thing to do together. We take turns putting pieces together, and do the honours together if there's an uneven number. It's special. Because I just get so into it, he often scolds me when I get carried away and forget to let him have a turn.
I think I just miss the innocence of this kind of stuff. I miss what it feels like to escape when you have something like this to focus on, particularly when external stressors loom in the distance. It just helps you access your imagination while also thinking logically. Nothing better really.
Lesson here? Well, if you're ever really stuck and stressed or overburdened by adult life, get yourself a Lego set. Kids welcome, but not required.
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