look like monkeys at birth. then within a few days,change the language of elders "sweetie pie,snookums,little angel,sugar and spice, koochi koo, little darling,mummy's boy/girl" and so on. nights become sleepless for the adults,not sweetums.  boiling water/milk, changing nappies, getting up every now and then to check up on the baby. then they start crawling all over the place. soon it is " did you see it? baby walked,oh lovely, " then feeding time. seems like the little tyke is always guzzling. as they grow a little bit older,the food ends up on rhe floor. " naughty baby,bless him" forgot washing  bibs. then time to go to school. poor little tots,braving new worlds.   nursery rhymes " baa,baa,black sheep,.." then games  . building blocks,playpens. the first football. shoes miraculously gone west in just 3 months.clothes picking up every stain for miles around. running to the doctors every now and then,sleepless lights again. they grow older. house full of odd noises. friends and them playing,running around - screaming aeroplane dives,clattering tanks, doll houses,little private tea parties for the dolls, studying hard when watched. scooting away when left alone. bringing stray dogs home,usually in filthy condition. later. hairstyles,dresses,with it attitude,new fads,earrings everywhere. raiding dad's,mom's accessories - scent,aftershave. boyfriends,girlfriends.  pta meetings, local dances. football games. first bike. then serious studying. group studies. fridge empties very fast. midnight snacks. then exams. results come pouring in.till then house of anxieties. sometimes devil may care attitude. suspicious smells from bedroom. then their first jobs. serious. professionals " dad ,can i have your tie?" " mom,do i look nicer in this dress?" their first pay packet. celebrations galore. then regular boyfriend girlfriend. goin steady. then marriage. suddenly,house falls silent. children, fun and frolic, worries and anxieties. our future flagbearers. tomorrow's leaders.charming/sulky. all moods of the spectrum. heartaches. lovable. hate the sight of them. " can't a man have some peace and quiet in this house?" advice rendered, sometimes followed,sometimes not. naughty,seriosus. adults are yesterday's children. children- tomorrow's adults. the true meaning of life - children. so innocent and trusting at first. later wary and suspicious then equal respect. teaching them to ride a bicycle,play football,cricket,teaching them right and wrong,principles,traditions.