Folks, I’ve been called out.
My friend Kelly pointed out on Facebook today that it’s been almost a month since I last posted something. I was really hoping no one would notice, though I’m flattered that she did. Thanks for putting my phobia of being totally forgotten at bay for a bit. 🙂
My main problem is I have too many things to write about. That seems like it should lead to more blog posts, but when I don’t have much time and I have a lot to write about I tend to get all backed up and literarily constipated. (Please note that says LITERARILY not LITERALLY.) It’s a vicious circle.
I’ll try to do better.
To reward Kelly’s patience, I told her I’d write her a post on any topic of her choosing by tomorrow. She pondered for approximately 22 minutes, then nonchalantly tossed eight questions my way. Eight.
Was I daunted? Heck no. I enjoy a challenge. And to make it even more challenging, I told her I’d answer each question in three sentences or less. That might seem like it would be easier, but as you may have noticed, I like to toss around short sentences that aren’t really even sentences. (Like this one. And this one here.) So this exercise ought to give the old writing juices a nice kick in the sack.
Semi-colons, here I come . . .
1) Your kids are so smart. Do you worry that they’ll surpass your teaching abilities in things like math and science (physics, chemistry, etc.) and then how will they be home schooled?
I’m sure they will surpass my off-the-cuff teaching knowledge before long; in fact, we’re almost there with some of The Muse’s math (not really my cup o’ tea). But most curriculums are fairly easy to follow, and I’m happy to learn right along with the kids. And if there’s something that I feel totally inept at teaching (or learning), there’s no shortage of classes they can take through local co-ops, community colleges, or online.
2) Do the girls ever get jealous of Boy Wonder as he is the youngest and super cute?
Fortunately, they haven’t really shown any jealousy, other than the normal sibling stuff (“His cookie’s half-a-millimeter bigger than my cookie,” and whatnot). They pretty much adore him (How could you not?!) and love it when he bathes us in his super-cuteness. Maybe the wide age spread (12, 8, and 3) helps; they take good care of him.
3) Why do mothers buy their kids things like Bathtub Markers knowing that they’ll just have to scold their kids later for writing on the furniture, themselves, etc. (Yes, I just bought these markers and they are a hit.)
I’m pretty sure all kids eventually find some kind of marking instrument to decorate themselves, furniture, etc. At least the Bathtub Markers are washable. BoyWonder left a masterpiece on my in-laws’ fabric-covered walls with crayon–that stuff ain’t comin’ off.
4) How did you know to put The Muse in violin lessons at such an early age? Did you have some inclination she would be so gifted?
We knew she was pretty musical, in that she could always sing on key and sang herself to sleep at night when she was around 3 or 4. But we arbitrarily chose age 6 to start an instrument, thinking she was old enough by then to choose one herself. She picked violin because her friend played it; we had no idea she’d have such a knack for it.
5) Do you ever talk to your kids about politics and elections?
Not a lot at this point, other than to explain why Baha’is don’t support partisan politics or engage in political discussions/arguments. It’s a peeve of mine when children start regurgitating their parents’ views on a political party, candidate, or elected official, as if they have the slightest clue what they’re talking about. Tonight when The Muse asked who I was going to vote for, I told her I have a pretty good idea of who I’m voting for, but I’m still trying to glean as much unbiased information as possible while giving serious thought to the qualities I think a president should have.
6) Do your kids believe in Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy?
We’ve never done Santa Claus (I explain a bit about why here), but we do the Tooth Fairy thing. The Muse asked for the truth about the Fairy at age 8 or 9, and I told her. Then she hugged me and told me I was the best mommy in the whole world. 🙂
7) I’m not a fan of technology and yet it is all around us. I have concerns that Benj will be way behind because he doesn’t have the coolest things. Do you have any concerns along these matters?
I do have concerns, but perhaps in the opposite direction–mainly because BoyWonder is a bit of a Wii junkie and iPad pro at age 3. We have lots of gadgets–iPad, iPhones, Wii, laptops–and the kids use them, but we monitor what they play and give them time limits (20 minutes/day on one or two electronics, generally). I feel a little better about them using them because they really don’t watch TV, but I still worry about how to best teach them to monitor themselves and practice moderation.
8) Also, what is the exact date that Benjamin will start picking up his own toys?
I’ll let you know as soon as my oldest starts picking up her own toys. Oi.
Thanks, Kelly! That was fun. Let’s do it again sometime. 🙂
(If anyone else wants to toss some questions this way, I’ll answer anything. Post them here, on Facebook, by e-mail, carrier pidgeon, Morse code, whatever.)
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