Are We There Yet?

What a question. Every parent has experienced this query from time to time. Often, a child will ask this question only minutes from departure, but why? Isn’t time one of the few constants in our world? As it turns out, time is observer dependent. Ask any parent and they will confirm Einstein’s theory. Einstein postulated that time and space are relative, yet in his theory, he never mentioned our automobiles or our children.

Time Seems To Accelerate

As we age, time seems to accelerate. Children, young adults, and those of us over the age of 35 all experience time at differing rates of acceleration. When my YA kids complain, I often tell them, “Give it time. In a few weeks, you’ll be 40.” If only we could learn at an early age to enjoy the slowness of the passing time.

Slow Time Down

Dr. Steve Taylor extolls parents to slow down and move at the speed of their child. Routine, it seems, is the enemy of new discovery. Adults tend to settle into our weekly Monday morning meetings, spaghetti Wednesdays, and Friday evening with a movie on the television. Our years are ordered by the calendar of birthdays, holidays, and vacations. As Taylor explains, psychologists suggest that these very routines may be responsible for the acceleration of time. We look backward at our routine while our children look forward to discovery.

Take The Time To Discover

“Are we there yet?” These are the words that express a desire for new discovery. “No,” therefore, must be an answer that expresses a desire to be done. The next time a child asks, “Are we there yet?” Say, “yes,” and join in the discovery we left behind with our youth. Look around and find out where you are at that moment and move at the speed of the child.