“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” ~ Albert Einstein

When I first learned of child avatars it was something I couldn’t quite grasp or fathom.  I can’t completely say that I have a good understanding now and that is fine.  Though after reading some blogs that have featured the subject and seeing it first hand with people I connected along the way, my acceptance in my own mind became easier.   Enough so that I took the plunge to create a child alt and played about in my 2-3 year old body and introduced myself to those people who I am close with — my wacky dysfunctional Second Life family.  I knew they would see it for what it was, after all, most of them have seen it or lived it in some way and they would honestly share their thoughts.  Not that I often seek approval to do anything here — though everyone needs that someone they can bounce off things with and gives them a reality check.   I have no real memories of myself as a child at this age, though I would like to think that I am like little me, who I named Sydney, a child that loves to have fun, play with toys and run around eating ice cream and cookies and pulling at someone’s leg or something similar.  While I only use her for child and/or family pictures in my blog or when I want to goof off with my Second Life family, she does in some way meet this week’s assignment.

As always, this lesson once again fits the being timely bill.  Just yesterday I brought in my child alt to do some pictures again and I happened to have a friend over visiting my recently acquired homestead and introduced them to little me.  He has very strong opinions of child avatars so I confess that I did it purposely.  He knows I’m quite cheeky that way.  To make this story short.  I shared that going around in my child avatar to shop for clothes, there is a sense of nurturing that inner child inside.  The best way to describe it, is there is a feeling of freedom and being carefree. Maybe it’s being in a small body and while I don’t engage with anyone unless I am spoken to it is quite fun seeing my little self walking around as if not having a care in the world.

I do believe that a child lives inside us all, a part of us that just wants to be fun loving, joyful, happy and play for play’s sake AND wants to be loved, cared and nurtured as the adult that we are.

“So, like a forgotten fire, a childhood can always flare up again within us”. ~ Gatson Bachelard

© The Best Year of Your Life by Debbie Ford

Lesson 30:  Nurture the Child Within You

It’s easy to see perfection in children. We feel moved by their innocence, their beauty, and their open hearts. Children have a way of eliciting love and affection – not only from their parents, but even complete strangers.

Within each of us there’s a beautiful, innocent child in need of that same degree of love, affection, and acceptance. One of the best ways to deepen the love you feel for yourself is to call forth an image of yourself as a baby, and imagine cradling this part of you in your arms. Give to this child aspect of you all the love and adoration you’d lavish upon your own child.

You’ll soon discover that when you take the time to love and cherish yourself, the entire world will fall in love with you.

Your Self-Love Assignment

This week, think of yourself as an innocent child who’s hungry for your love, care, nurturance, and approval. If you have a photograph of yourself as a baby, post it someplace where you’ll see it often. If you don’t have a photograph, simply close your eyes and imagine yourself as a young child under the age of five. As you gaze into this child’s eyes, acknowledge and praise them for their many gifts. Tell them how much you love and adore them.

Then imagine asking them, “What can I do for you today that will leave you feeling completely loved and nurtured by me?” Maybe the childlike part of you would like to go to the movies, spend a morning in bed, or go for a walk or run. Listen with your heart to what your child needs, and make a plan to accommodate their request.

Self-Love Points Earned

Give yourself 100 points every time you nurture the child within you.

First & Second Picture Credits:

Alexa –

Hat – 8f8 – Octopus Hat Red Rare @ Arcade
Hair – Tram – C411 Hair Black
Scarf – SU! – Essential Scarf Red
Coat – XIAJ – Jaix Trench Coat Blk-whit @ Kustom9
Leggings – Tres Blah – Leather Leggings Black
Boots – Sleepy Eddy – Engineer Boots Gray @ Arcade

Sydney –

Hair – Elikatira – Other Black 04 {may no longer be available}
Hat – 8f8 – Octopus Hat White Rare @ Arcade
Panda Coat Complete Outfit by Ello Poppet

Scene –

CandiCane Doll by Baby Shop/Even Genesis
Christmas Illuminated Trees by Quark Fallen
Winter Larch by 3D Trees