I don't think we basically change from being a child to becoming adults; we just get more "experience". A young child has nothing, like you say, but that's because they're not very old.

I remember when I thought my T had "exquisite" timing at the beginning of therapy but then, 20-some years later I was thinking about it and that had changed; I didn't need that anymore. If you only get the choice between good hamburger and dog food for dinner, the hamburger is pretty good but if you then get to trying steak, lobster, chops, etc. the goodness of the hamburger is just one of several choices.

Too, I had so many more experiences with her by that time the experience pool was diluted. A good new food tastes better the first time than the 20th time when it's no longer new.