Throughout my years of middle and high school, I was lucky enough to have little ones around all the time. My mother was a nanny for a friend of hers, and the two little boys that she watched every day taught me many things about myself, growing up, and the childhood I was leaving behind.

1. The importance of playtime

This is something I feel that many people underestimate. So many of us go from school to work to bed with little time in between, and any time we do have is spent on the computer or watching TV. When I came home from school, the little boys would drag me from my homework and beg me to play with them. They wanted to play house, or create an imaginary world for us to live in for an hour, or my personal favorite was always when they wanted to build forts. There's a magic to a child's mind when it comes to playtime, and I miss having them force me to join in and be the mastermind behind the building of the fort or the naming of their imaginary pets. Sometimes it made the day that much more bearable because there was a little break for play, and work wasn't the only thing I was doing between waking up and going to bed.

2. Innocence

They say the innocence of children is beautiful, and I have to agree. There was nothing more fascinating than seeing the little ones make friends so simply with anyone and everyone they met. They didn't think twice about what other little kids at the park looked like or sounded like. There was never any judgement between them. They just joined in each others' games or shared their shovels at the sandbox without a second thought because the world and its constant prejudice hadn't corrupted their minds yet. They didn't know to mentally separate themselves from other kids, so they didn't. They didn't know what it meant to judge each other, so they didn't. If all of us had the innocent minds that toddlers do, the world would definitely be a different place, and if you ask me, after watching those little boys at the park for hours, the world would be a better place.

3. Children's books have the best lessons

I may love Dr. Seuss far more than is appropriate for someone my age, but I stand by this assessment. So many times, little G would come up to me and tug on my sleeve with a book in his hand, climb into my lap, and wait for me to read to him. It became something we did every day when I came home from school. I never objected because initially I thought it was good for him to be reading, since stories were a big part of my childhood. However, I started to see that it was good for me, as well. Classical literature may be something I love now that I'm older and an English major, but I have to say that some of the most influential books I've ever read were children's books. We can all learn something from Dr. Seuss or Eric Carl. "The Lorax" does more than entertain; it warns us what will happen should we not think about the long-term effects of our choices concerning the planet. "Oh, the Thinks You Can Think " teaches us that imagination is among the greatest tools one can have. Once upon a time, they said all you ever need to know you learned in kindergarten — and the books that the little ones read make me believe they were on to something.

4. Nap-time is the best time, especially with a buddy

If college and childhood have one thing in common, it's the return of nap-time. On any given day, either my roommate or myself sends the other a message that they're going to be napping, and we both end up taking a nap during the day. I used to hate the idea of nap-time, and that I'd be spending precious daytime sleeping when I could be otherwise productive. However, after having little guys in my house for years, I started to see it's ultimate power and inviting qualities. Whenever they started to get cranky or cry, a nap was the solution. I'd go pull them out of their cribs and they'd have woke up with the biggest smile, completely refreshed with a new outlook on their little lives. If they were starting to get sleepy, they didn't have to wait the rest of the day to go to bed. They could just lay down and crash on the couch for an hour and be ready to go for the rest of the afternoon. And I have to say, somehow they always managed to rope me into nap-time with them, which turned out to be the greatest thing they could have done. The littlest one could climb up into my lap, shove my homework out of reach, and settle in for a nap. The little snores and tiny breathing he had were so comforting, and we always somehow both woke up at the same time a little while later, refreshed and happier than we had been before. Naps are a magical thing, and with a little one to share them with, they become near life-changing.

5. Expressing love for others is not a sign of weakness

This one hit me out of nowhere. My whole life, I've been shy to share my emotions too quickly with anyone, except with my immediate family. I never wanted to seem like I was more invested in a friendship than someone else, because caring more than other people can be scary. However, the little guys I had around for so many years never thought twice about it. Whenever I walked in the door, the littlest one would throw himself around my legs and say, "Gee! I wove youuuu." Because he did. And it was really that simple. The people the little ones care about know how much they are loved, because it is second nature to tell them all the time. It isn't scary. It doesn't mean they're too naive to know what love feels like. They just know who they care about and want us to know how much they love us, and I think somewhere along the line society made a mistake in stifling that kind of mentality. Older people have started to hesitate before saying "I love you" even if it's a best friend that they really do love. They've stopped telling their parents how much they are appreciated. And all of this because somewhere we decided it was a sign of weakness. However, since having them around, I've learned to just express my care for the people around me, because it always just makes them feel better about themselves, just like my little ones telling me they loved me always made me feel warm and fuzzy in a way I've never felt otherwise.