The Vanishing Childhood : When Kids Don’t Act Like Kids And Why That’s A Problem

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Vedanth was not like other children. While kids his age talked about cartoons and superheroes, he cracked jokes about tax season and corporate burnout. His parents, uncles, aunts, and everyone close to him found him hilarious.

Just at the age of six, his comedic timing was impeccable, and his sarcasm was sharper than it had any right to be for a child.

"Mummy, do I get a salary for being cute?" he once asked, leaning against the kitchen counter.

His mother, amused, played along. "And what work have you done?"

"I've entertained you all day. It's only fair I get paid."

His father burst out laughing. "Looks like we're raising a corporate employee."

Vedanth's humour made him the star of every family gathering. If an uncle complained about inflation, Vedanth would sigh dramatically and say, "Even my pocket money is suffering losses."

At weddings, he sat with the grown-ups, crossing his legs like an executive, listening to their conversations. If someone mentioned job stress, he'd nod sagely and say, "Ah, capitalism spares no one." He was the child prodigy of wit. The boy who never talked like a boy.

The Missing Childhood

At first, Vedanth enjoyed the attention. He loved making people laugh. But as the years passed, something changed.

At thirteen, he started avoiding large family gatherings. When he did attend, he would sit quietly, hoping no one would notice him. But they always did.

"Vedanth, what happened, why so quiet?" his uncle asked, seeing him seated alone.

Vedanth forced a smile. "My desire to speak is currently on unpaid leave." he said, without a thought.

Hearing this, his uncle and everyone around him laughed, but inside, he felt tired.

One evening, he walked past the park and saw a group of younger kids playing tag. They were running, shouting, tumbling on the grass, their laughter echoing through the air. He stood there for a moment, watching. He had never done that.

Sure, he had played cricket and video games, but he had never lost himself in silliness the way these kids did. There had always been an invisible audience watching him, waiting for his punchline.

For the first time, he wondered: Was I ever a child?

The Realisation

That night, Vedanth sat on the balcony, staring at the distant city lights. His mother found him there, just like she always did when he was lost in thought.

"You've been quiet lately," she said gently.

Vedanth rested his chin on his knees. "Mummy... did I ever have a childhood?"

His mother frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I mean... I was always making people laugh. Always acting older than I was. But I never really... played."

She sighed, brushing his hair back like she used to when he was little. "We thought you enjoyed it. We never realised..."

Vedanth gave a small, tired smile. "Neither did I. Until now."

His mother held his hand. "You're still young, dear. It's not too late."

Vedanth nodded, but deep down, he wasn't so sure. Some things, once lost, never come back the same way.

The next day, when he passed the park again, he stopped. The children were still playing. Shouting. Laughing. Without thinking too much, he stepped forward and walked towards them.

When Childhood Sounds Like Adulthood

It's common to hear adults reminisce about the simplicity of childhood-days filled with play, imagination, and carefree laughter. But what happens when children skip that phase and start speaking like adults long before their time? Increasingly, children are adopting mature language and humour, often mirroring the grown-ups around them. While it may seem amusing at first, this shift raises concerns about whether childhood itself is being shortened.

Vedanth's story is a perfect example. From a young age, his quick wit and adult-like jokes made him a favourite at family gatherings. He wasn't talking about cartoons or school mischief; he was making quips about corporate life and financial struggles. His humour made him stand out, but it also distanced him from experiences typical of his age.

Exposure To Adult Conversations And Media

Children today are growing up in environments filled with complex conversations. Whether it's overhearing discussions at home or picking up language from social media, they are constantly absorbing adult expressions and attitudes. Even without direct exposure to digital platforms, Vedanth developed a way of speaking that reflected the grown-ups around him. His jokes weren't things a child naturally thinks about-they were reflections of the conversations he was exposed to.

This kind of exposure accelerates cognitive development but at the cost of natural childhood expression. When kids engage more with adult topics than with play, their way of thinking changes, often making them seem older than their years.

Family Reinforcement : Applause For Maturity

Many parents and relatives find it amusing when a child speaks beyond their years. It's seen as a sign of intelligence, a mark of a bright future. In Vedanth's case, every joke he made earned laughter and admiration. His family encouraged his humour, unknowingly reinforcing the idea that being "grown-up" was more rewarding than simply being a child.

But while his family cheered, they never noticed what he was missing-silliness, imagination, and carefree play. Instead of running around with other children, he sat among adults, offering witty one-liners. He became a performer rather than a participant in his own childhood.

The Weight Of Expectations

Society places immense pressure on children to excel. Whether in academics, extracurriculars, or even social interactions, there is an expectation to be composed, knowledgeable, and articulate. This expectation often pushes children to adopt maturity prematurely.

Vedanth eventually began to feel the weight of these expectations. As he grew older, the jokes didn't come as easily. He realised he had spent so much time performing for others that he had missed out on simply being a child. Watching younger kids play, he found himself wondering if he had ever allowed himself that same freedom.

Reclaiming Childhood : Is It Too Late?

The realisation that childhood has slipped away can be unsettling. In Vedanth's case, it took him years to understand what he had lost. His family, who once applauded his grown-up behaviour, now saw the quiet teenager before them and wondered if they had encouraged him too much in the wrong direction.

Childhood should be protected as a unique phase of life, not rushed through. While it's valuable for children to develop confidence and communication skills, they should also be given space to simply be kids. That means encouraging play, imagination, and friendships without the pressure to be "impressive" all the time.

In Vedanth's story, he takes a small but meaningful step-choosing, for once, not to perform but to participate. He lets himself run with the other children, a reminder that while time moves forward, it's never too late to embrace the joys of being young.

Perhaps the real lesson is this: A child speaking like an adult may be entertaining, but a child allowed to be a child is far more precious.