Daydreamer

A recent conversation with OH has gotten me to thinking about something. We have noticed lately that Holly is becoming somewhat of a daydreamer. Although she is constantly running, jumping, shouting, rolling and diving off of high things with the enthusiasm of a base jumper she has started to spend a lot of time just daydreaming. Sitting in her swing in the garden, or in the rare moments when she will actually sit on your lap for more than 5 secs. Holly will be somewhere else, miles aways, who knows what she is dreaming up in that toddler brain of hers. She looks serene and calm, which is such a rare thing to behold in my boisterous little beauty. David and I sat watching Holly as she daydreamed one day and he turned to me and said,

"She's going to be a daydreamer just like me when I was little."

I looked at him in surprise.

"Me too, when I was at Primary School it was written in all my school reports!" I said.

It had never occurred to me that we had both been daydreamers as children.   I had always heard about the sporty, smiley, helpful and kind child that David was. Then he said something else.

"I used to get into trouble for being such a daydreamer, especially at school. I was always told off for daydreaming at school especially."

I  suddenly realised that it had been the same for me too, and when I thought about that, it made me sad beyond words.

Is it really a bad thing to be a daydreamer? Should it be written in a report card as a negative attribute?  In a child? A child of 5, or 6 or 7? Or any child of Primary School age? Surely there are far worse qualities to posses than having an imagination? A world inside your head, all your own, secret and special. Deep and wonderous and full of fun and magic? Would any adult really begrudge a child that? It seems to me to do so would be cruel in the extreme. Don't we all worry that children grow up too fast?  Wouldn't it be nicer to let them have their dreams before the harsh realities of life are made clear to them? 

Would it bother you to see those words on your child's school report in such a negative light? Would you agree and wish away their childish ways too? I for one would not. I will never be sad to hear that I have a daydreaming daughter. I will never look on her dreams as fanciful or childish, because that is what she is. A child. A world of wonder and possibility.  There is time enough for reality, and she has time enough to learn it. So while she can dream, she should. Enjoy every magical moment my darling daughter. Dream big...