There is a straightforward common sense purity-of-mission to childhood logic. In the beginning, the child’s mind and being are not solely shaped by familial and social dogma. The child’s common sense is pure common sense.

Do I have an example? You bet.

The organization and placement of clothes comes to mind. When I was a boy my parents supported the notion of folding your clothes, according to category (long sleeve shirts, pants, underpants, t-shirts, pajamas, shoes, and so on), and putting them away, where you can’t see them. This defies all logic.

Any child worth his or her salt – and they all are – knows things you can’t see are (drum roll, please), harder to find!

My little-boy reasoning was pure and simple and spot on. I much preferred to leave my clothes in piles on the floor of my room. If I need socks? There they are. T-shirts, that pile over there. Long sleeve shirts? Next to the t-shirts. Pants and shorts side by side.

I tell you nothing you don’t already when I tell you my organizational method did not carry the day. Which brings me to another clarity children have from the jump. When you’re a child, you don’t always get your way.