I’ve learned much from my children. There are things I have learned just since this summer began. It’s quite amazing, actually, the little tidbits you can pick up from kids. I thought I would share some of these little gems with you.
1. “Oh, my gosh.” Believe it or not that phrase is incorrect. Based on my children’s use of this phrase, I’ve been saying it wrong all my life. Here is how it should be used:
At dinner:
Young son: “Mom, can I have a little more?”
Me: “Sure.” (put barely a bite more on the plate) “How’s that?”
Young son: “Omygosh…mom….really???”
See what I mean? It is, apparently, all one word. Who knew?
2. Feet are for sitting. Ok, that seems a little confusing. It is to me, too. However, after watching my teenage daughter sit…anywhere…I realize this is a physical thing for her – and not easily controlled. You see, when she sits…anywhere – couch, chair, stool – she begins by first standing on that furniture, kind of stepping a bit (fluffing?), then plopping down cross legged. I admit to being puzzled by this one. After requesting repeatedly that she NOT stand on the furniture, I realize I may be fighting a losing battle. She laughs every time saying, “Sorry, mom…I can’t help it.” This may be the truth. I only hope she outgrows it before she puts holes in my furniture.
3. Meat = Red. Ok, in my house we don’t eat a lot of red meat – lots of chicken and turkey and vegetables. My oldest son is off every morning to work out at the high school and returns every day demanding food. No matter what we feed him, it is not enough.
Teenage son: “Mom, I’m hungry.”
Me: “Nice to meet you, Hungry. You can call me ‘Mom’.”
Teenage son: *eyes rolling* “No, mom…I need food.”
Me: “Ok. Go fix a peanut butter sandwich.”
Teenage son: “Mo-om! (note: the word “mom” has two syllables now!) I need REAL food.”
Me: “We just had dinner.”
Teenage son: “I need MEAT.”
Me: “There was meat in dinner.”
Teenage son: “No…I mean the real stuff…red meat…BEEF. I need it!”
I freely admit to laughing out loud.
4. It’s never too early to begin planning a birthday party. My youngest daughter has already begun thinking of her next birthday…at the end of August. When I commented on the amount of time between now and then I found myself on the receiving end of an incredulous gaze. “Mom…really?? It’s never too soon to start planning.”
5. Number four leads in naturally to number five. “Really” is a multi-purpose word. It can be used in nearly any context correctly.
Me: *walking through the living room, all four kids lounging in front of the TV…click…turning off the television as I pass by…giggling….*
All four kids: “Really, mom??”
Young son: *trying to scare his twin sister…failing miserably…likely due to the laughter he could not control and lack of stealth*
Young daughter: *looking at him in exasperation* “Really?”
Oldest son: “I saw some squirrels running around this morning.”
Oldest daughter: “Really? Where?”
And so I now add “really” to my growing list of “kid words” that can help us all better navigate the world of children along with: beast, sweet, epic fail, and sick. None of which mean what they seem to mean.
For now, I hear them talking in the next room. Who knows what I can learn next? I mean, really? Ohmygosh….it’s beast!
Christine Moore currently holds a degree from Howard Payne University and recently earned her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. She is now working on her Ph.D. in Educational Technology at Walden University. Married with four children who attend Brownwood schools, Christine teaches 6th grade reading in Brownwood and has been working in education at various levels for the past 15 years. Christine welcomes your questions and comments and would love to hear from you!
