Uncanny Insight

That's so sweet. Nice that he's keeping his options open until he gets a little more life experience under his belt.

Julie S. That wasn't very nice. I feel sorry for your child since you only think they are average.

Her son is special to her and that is what matters. I like hearing stories like hers and how she appreciates her sons insight. Keep posting FangedBunny, I like reading your posts.

Kids are great at pointing out the obvious.
I think it's less about being "wise" and more about being honest and direct in their observations. They don't have much of a filter.
Depending on what they are pointing out it can be very sweet or very awkward. Sweet, like what your son said this morning, reminding you he needed to grow up first, or awkward, like,
"wow mommy your tummy is really squishy"
Gee, thanks kid, I appreciate your insight...

I love moments like that. It's like we as mothers of young children are used to being the source of wisdom *for* our children... Then when hey come up with something profound it is a complete wonder.

The other day we were waiting in line at the store, and I was talking to the lady in line behind us. The person at the checkout was holding up the line while they were doing coupons and food stamps. She had 4 kids with her, and while they were all clean and behaving, their clothes were obviously secondhand and ill-fitting. The lady we were talking to said (in an extremely snide tone), "That woman shouldn't have had kids she couldn't afford. I mean, seriously, that is what is bankrupting our country." Followed with an a stream of venom about how horrible she thought the woman was. I was about to reply with, "well, I try not to judge because I don't know her situation." My 4 yo DD beat me to it though... She pipes up with, "That's not very nice! Maybe she just needs a little help."

I don't normally allow her to back talk adults, but I was pretty proud of her for that one. ;)

I don't mind "braggy" posts, because that gives me a chance to brag about my own super-special offspring... most people don't want to hear about her as often as I would like to talk about her... So this gives me the perfect opportunity to rip off my "no one cares" mommy filter. ;)

*lol, Mamazita. Or poking you in the rear during a shower at the swimming pool and saying (loud enough for the entire changing room to hear) "Wow, Mommy! Your bum is really bouncy!"

Of course we should share about the great things our children do and say! I have a group of (in person) mom friends and I like that they equally complain and "brag" about their kids. We all need to stop and recognize the good, sweet, insightful things our kids are capable of doing and saying.

Our kids are moving into their teen years and among friends, friends of friends, or relatives of friends, we've had a rash of suicides, suicide attempts, or destructive behaviors like cutting. My very insightful just turned 12 year-old daughter said "it's partly because you guys don't make it look very fun to be a grown-up! All you worry about is work and money". She was right, over the last year or so among the group we've had a husband have a heart attack and die 10 months later, a divorce, financial difficulties, etc. etc. and life hasn't seemed very bright. I shared this insight with my mom friends and it was a big eye-opener for all of us to change our attitudes and behaviors.

One more thing. It seems acceptable to broadcast a child's success if it happens in sports, but not in academics or other areas. That, in my opinion, needs to change.

Thank you for sharing your story and please keep sharing these moments! They're a nice reminder to appreciate those little moments of clarity and insight that can easily go overlooked in our busy days.

My youngest son (age 8) gave me something to smile extra about a few different days last week so I love having this opportunity to share LOL. He's a bit of an old soul and every time I get another peek into his heart and mind, I am honestly surprised and humbled to have brought him into this world because he brings me such sweetness and joy.

So last Tuesday, I was making mac & cheese for lunch for my 10-year-old. My youngest was having a party in his class at lunch so he didn't need to bring a lunch. He commented that "wow, mommy that smells so good" so I invited him to grab a bowl and have some for breakfast. He said very seriously "well, does it have protein in it?" I said that is did and said "are you sure there's enough protein in it? I work really hard in the the morning at school and need a lot of protein in the morning to get me through until lunch time." That's totally something my mother would say.

On Wednesday, I did a yoga workout at home before the kids got up and he saw my mat out so we started talking about yoga. They have someone come to the school and teach the kids so he showed me his favorite poses and then confided "before I take my math fact tests, I do 'flower breathing' for my focus and energy and that's why I passed by 11 facts." I love that he internalizes the yoga session and isn't shy about doing a breathing exercise in school!

On Thursday, he must have told me a million times that everyone in his class was getting sick so could I please give him some extra Vitamin C and then reminded me to give him more before bed and the next morning. "It's important for me to keep my immune system up, you know."

On Friday at bedtime he was pushing my patience by asking me a million questions about my morning routine for the next day. Exasperated, I finally said "honey I have a busy morning, you'll be here with your brother, why do you care what time I'm going for a run and leaving for my class?" and said "because I'm trying to set my alarm so that we can have some snuggle time with a book in bed in the morning before you go out for the day." Ouch! Needless to say, I cancelled my plans for a morning run and we started the day with a snuggle and a book.

And finally, on Saturday he asked me with dead seriousness if I would please teach him to tie a tie, "the real way not the kid way" (meaning a half-Windsor and not a four-in-hand). I was rather tired but promised I would and we did it last night. Wouldn't you know that today he practiced over and over until he got it just right? What 8 year old can tie a half-Windsor knot? Or would want to?

My 3 other kids of course all have these moments too but I think that what touches me most about him is that they're all bigger, and busier, and have HUGE personalities and can be very high-maintenance and even with all of that competition, he just is who he is...calm, low-key, mature, with his own ideas about what's important and the will and skill to get what he wants and needs without resorting to negative behavior.

I love it!
We had a bday party yesterday for my ten year old. I did remind my kids to behave and the bday girl to say thank you (for coming, etc). But once we were there it was pretty hectic for me. The hostess was on her last day of training and pretty stressed as she is in school for an event planning degree (she was telling me this while the kids were in the pool area and I was in the party room waiting for late guests). While dad was packing the car, presents, and kids I was waiting at the front to check out. The hostess approached and told me how great my kids are. She said my son told her she did an awesome job and he had a lot of fun and the birthday girl also thanked her and told her how great she was.
Always makes you feel good to hear that they are putting their best foot forward.

Cute story!
Wow...hateful response ya got there...
Maybe kids aren't the only ones that need a nap!

Well you can keep bragging about your kid all you want as long as you then open up the floor for us to brag about ours!

Unfortunately, I can never think of things like that in the moment, dang it. Maybe one will come to me in the middle of the night and I'll "ETA" it... by then no one will be reading this thread anymore :(

I love talking careers with my kids though. I think it's great when they get a realization for the jobs people do in our family- who is a nurse, teacher etc. My girls have been to my work often and know who I work with and have a rough understanding of what a school counselor does. My daughter drew a picture of my office once that said "I want to be a counselor when I grow up"... Love it :)

Sue W. that s a priceless insight from your daughter. Really puts things in perspective for a parent. I love that one.

That's sweet! I love it when my 10-year-old says something wise beyond his years. And I agree with Sue W. -- we don't make it seem all that fun to be grownups... and why not brag about our kids a little bit? But I really like hearing from other parents when my kid does something good, was helpful or was well behaved.

Mamazita, that is too funny, my son just loves to point out the jiggly post-baby pooch under my belly button! I tell him he should like it, he is the one who made it, my over 9-pounder!

Yes, I love hearing this kind of thing from my kids. I think the reason they strike me is because I look at them and know that somehow I made real little people, with their own unique thoughts and perspective on the world. Is that true of every kid? Sure! We all had babies that either came from our bodies or were entrusted to us, and I never get tired of those birth stories, either.

My oldest just had his second chess tournament yesterday and even with hundreds of other kids there, I still think it is super cool he knows how to play and even wins the occasional game! He also just came in the office and said "Mommy, is there anything I can get you?" Love that he is considerate :)

Very nice. We need a few more of these on here.

Have a great week.

the other S.

PS Our children are always watching what we do and say and it comes back to get us in a most unusual way.