Being childish vs child-like

Question

I was told the other day that it would be inconceivable for an older person (like 30, 40yo) to play on a swing, or a 50yo to skateboard.. Or a person my age (23) to enjoy stuffed animals and plushies; without it being 'childish'.. Are we really losing/letting go of the stuff that made us happy as a child because of age? Is growing up losing the child like wonder for the small, unassuming but meaningful beauties and pleasures?

Ron · Accepted Answer

The point is to not lose that part of you for as long as possible. I wouldn't worry about what other people say. I get flack for either still playing video games or the myriad of other things I do. However I have still managed to raise 3 kids and have grandchildren that I can relate to because I never lost it.

Christy · Answer

I still watch SpongeBob and I still enjoy Disney people think that's for children but I don't give a you know what.

Susan LeeAnn Smith · Answer

Om... I'm 49 & rollerblade all the time. I get on the playground swings & have a height swing contest with my 12 year old daughter. I have stuffed animals. I just don't worry about other people's prejudices... its their problem to deal with.

Wade · Answer

As long as you take care of your responsibilites, youre adult enough.

"When I became a man, I set aside childish things, including the fear of appearing childish and the desire to be very grown up."
-C.S. Lewis

Tracy · Answer

I'll never lose that child like sense of wonder. Jumping on the bed, running through the house screaming "wake up, wake up, wake up" on Christmas morning, and you will def catch me swinging at playgrounds. There's a difference between still being able to find joy in little things, and being "childish". Anyone that doesn't understand the difference, I'd argue, is childish.

Laura · Answer

I think childish and child-like are two separate things.

Being childish implies a lack of emotional maturity, lack of responsibility, lack of discipline, temper tantrums, egocentricity, etc. These are the negative qualities associated with childhood that we lose as we grow and develop and age.

Being child-like is the ability to be a mature and responsible adult, but still enjoy things associated with childhood, such as cartoons, games, fairytale stories, toys, puzzles, colouring books, swinging on a swing, eating ice-cream cake, or dressing up in costumes for a Halloween party.

It is entirely possible to be a mature, responsible and functional adult, AND maintain a child-like sense of playfulness, silliness and innocence. These qualities don't need to be mutually exclusive. You can be both.

Garry · Answer

Stuffed animals are so comfortable though. And who doesn't enjoy a swing set?

People complaining that these are seen as "childish" should redefine what they consider to be childish, like creating drama around things people enjoy doing.

Cliff · Answer

The ultimate sign of maturity is how comfortable one is being childish. If you're ashamed of it then you still have some growing to do.

Jaber · Answer

We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing 🤩

Larry · Answer

Who cares? I still watch cartoons.

Just be yourself and to hell with anyone who can't accept who you are and what you enjoy.

Khéna · Answer

What does it mean to be too old to do or enjoy something? Does it mean you're supposed to be unable to or that being an adult comes with an image we "need" to portray to be seen as equals? I'm pretty sure it's an issue of image and we all know how toxic societal expectations can be so better free yourself from it tbh. Love stuffed animals, get excited about Halloween, do silly voices and make up stories. You'll be happier not holding back.

Eden · Answer

Huge difference between child-like and childish. Although, child-like is something you shouldn't give up on. Childish usually implies in terms of maturity, responsibilities. 😂🐥
I still miss my rabbit 🐰 doll. 🤗🌸

Klaresa · Answer

I will never not love stuffed animals, like they will forever be my pride nd joy

Aaron · Answer

I think whoever told you that is childish.

Growing up can mean moving past the things we loved in our youth, but it can also mean accepting ourselves and each other over whatever rigid construct we thought adulthood was.

Jeffrey · Answer

Growing up, for me, means being able to enjoy those kinds of things and being secure in those interests. Having strangers, or anyone else for that matter, dictate to you what -your- hobbies should be is silly.

Mel · Answer

Personally I think there is no age restriction on anything. What keeps you happy keep to it. But people definitely tend to expect a few certain traits with maturity and immaturity. They just assume if you're a 50y old riding on a skateboard you might end up tripping and hurting yourself, so that's irresponsible of you but you can definitely be a badass and prove them wrong.

AJ · Answer

I'm playing video games and watching cartoons until I hit the grave. Can't stop won't stop *Diddy voice*

Clement · Answer

How people can go to bed without this guy is beyond me....just upgrade your life smh 🙄🙄

HEAVYMETALZ · Answer

my gf is 37 and she loves stuffed toys.

Alex · Answer

I have a huge collection of beanie babies and plush dolls. Proud af.

Angel · Answer

I believe those are societal perspective on things.... honestly, I have a bunch of.stuffed animals, display some toys from.when I was a kid, and even bring them in to work. Doesn't mean I'm not mature/not an adult. It is what it is~ hell it has even helped me career wise when I have to help kids in crisis at my schools.

Be you and don't be ashamed of it!

Justin · Answer

My question is why should you care? If you're not hurting anyone and enjoy the things that make you happy does it matter?

Vanessa · Answer

It's okay to like childlike things. Children often like it when the adults in their life will play with them, so having that quality will help you make the children in your family happy.

I also like to collect stuffed animals and I still love to swing in my 40s.

Aleksi · Answer

I feel like the adult thing to do is to hide your feelings and shatter your dreams. You have been given one chance to do whatever you want but you choosed the boring life instead.

Healthy adults are playful. Unhealthy ones have some serious mental health issues cos they only read the rules of the game but never gets to play it.

Hardik · Answer

Grow up dumbass

Being childish vs child-like

Relationshipadvice Community

I still watch SpongeBob and I still enjoy Disney people think that's for children but I don't give a you know what.

Om... I'm 49 & rollerblade all the time. I get on the playground swings & have a height swing contest with my 12 year old daughter. I have stuffed animals. I just don't worry about other people's prejudices... its their problem to deal with.

As long as you take care of your responsibilites, youre adult enough. "When I became a man, I set aside childish things, including the fear of appearing childish and the desire to be very grown up." -C.S. Lewis

Related Posts

LOVE 🧡

Need Advice??

Your thoughts?

Question

Boo app

What do people think is the most important thing in a relationship?