I never thought there come a day, in my son's young age, where HE would think he’s smarter than I am. I’m beginning to think with all the technology, references and resources just at their fingertips has contributed to this. Remember the days where, if we wanted to know something we had to trample out to the library, in 10ft of snow, no shoes, up hill both ways, just to research using the those things called books?
Seriously, I do love watching my child flourish and learn new things and I love even more when he tells me about it, all excited and wide eyed. What I do not love is when he says things leading to the notion that I’m not on his level of intelligence.
My son started 1st grade the other day. Naturally he’s super excited to be going to school all day, to be packing his lunches, and more importantly…seeing his buddies on the playground. Me, I wanted to make sure all that summer reading and prep work didn’t go to waste. I took out a list of words that he should already know as well as ones I know they’ll be working on the 1st quarter. I call him into the living room, and start asking “what’s this word, what’s that word?” and he starts spouting them off with ease. Finally we move on to the second list, I start the same way….he says a couple words…pauses…looks at me and says “Mom, I really think you should try to figure some of these out yourself.”…and walks out...leaving me with my mouth hanging open.
Anyone who knows my son knows he loves to ask questions. He’s inquisitive, which is just another fancy word for nosey (he takes after his mama). I took the advice of a fellow parent that when my child asks a question, and I don’t know how to answer it, use the “let’s look that up” line. Naturally, after using that line one too many times in my son’s eyes, he casually states, “Glad you didn’t become a teacher Mom, you don’t know anything.” Again…me…mouth hanging open.
Lastly, I feel it’s important it begin teaching your kids at a young age to be a leader not a follower in life. To know what’s right and wrong, and by “following” what your friends do will get YOU in nothing but trouble…be strong, stand up for what you believe in, no matter what. I even used the old line “If your friends jumped off a bridge would you?”…My son raised the corner of his mouth, crooked his eyebrows, and said with PURE annoyance, “What kind of question is that Mom? No one is that stupid. You should say ‘If your friends had ice cream before dinner, would you?’ That’s more real!” Yep…you guess it…me…mouth hanging open. Except this time I said back “Well, would you???” Now shock on his face, followed by defeat. That’s right little boy…Mommy ISN’T so dumb after all is she??
