Conversation with Stephen (10 years old) during the American Idol finale tonight:
Stephen: "He sure is enunciating well," in reference to Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong during their performance of "Working Class Hero".
Me: (laughing) "I sure didn't expect that to come out of your mouth."
Stephen: "I'm smarter than I look."
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Earlier this evening, he also accompanied me on bicycle while I walked our neighborhood. It's a somewhat "typical" older suburban neighborhood, about 120 homes, pool, tennis court, and largish lots (at least compared to today's offerings).
During my 45-minute power walk/his 45-minute joyride, several cars passed us. My jaw dropped on this one:
Stephen: "Know what scares me when cars drive by?"
Me: (thinking he was going to say they'd accidentally veer into us…) "What?"
Stephen: "…that they have guns in there and they're going to shoot us."
He was serious.
My mother-comforting response went something like "Oh, baby, you don't need to worry about that…that's the last thing that would happen."
Tell that to the kids at Columbine or Virginia Tech :/….
There is no telling what's going on in the minds of children these days…how their psyche has been indirectly assaulted from the insanity of a random massacre. Perhaps this was a telling glimpse.
As he flew down the hill having already forgotten words that branded my heart, I silently prayed those desperate prayers that all mothers pray from cradle to grave…and wondered how in the world I'm supposed to hold my children loosely.
Dear robin. Very funny comment about being ‘smarter than I look’. But you’re right about those tragedies planting the first seeds of fear into people’s minds. Even I have thoughts like that sometimes.
When I drive home from work I often see a young woman pushing her jogger with two kids in it. On a very narrow worn road.
I don’t think about guns… but I worry about the little rocks and winter dislodge asphalt that fly out occasionally. I would hate to have one hit those babies.
Robin — Isn’t THAT the truth, how do we hold them loosely? I think it’s some kind of conundrum, because I KNOW God gives us mothers our fierce mama-bear hearts for a good reason! Hold them loosely? In a way, yes… but we’d still lay down our lives for them.
I had similar thoughts awhile back, about how our kids have so much to worry about these days. You might have read my blog post already, but if not…
http://rachellegardner.blogspot.com/2007/04/what-7-year-olds-worry-about.html
Have a good Thursday, my dear.
Such a great snapshot of two parenting extremes–unscripted moments of delight and feelings of desperate inadequacy.
Truth is we can’t protect them. But if we could, we’d no doubt shield them from the very experiences God ordains for their growth and His glory. Keeps us on our knees, eh?
What kind of world is this where our children have to be concerned for this?
Of course, I made the mistake in telling my children about the coyote that attacked some 5 yr old in New Jersey – now my kids don’t want to go into the backyard without looking for signs of coyotes first.
Fears are different every generation. It’s sad at 10 he fears the gun. I guess at 10 in the Middle Ages, the feared the arrow.
But that first one cracked me up!
You have a very bright son. I don’t know how I’d have been able to answer his car comment.
(My 12 yr old step son only commented on Green Day’s use of black eye liner….)
Oh, gosh. Don’t you wish you could just crawl into their minds and sweep away all the bad stuff? I was so scared of tornados and Big Foot when I was little. I thought about those things daily.
I have that very same thought sometimes when cars pass.
Great conversations!
I remember having some unusual thoughts that you wouldn’t expect kids to have about death and dying, but if you think about it, it’s good that he’s aware because that means he’ll be alert!! While you would like to protect him, you should be proud that he thinks deeply.
Those are not words we’re supposed to be hearing coming out of our children’s mouths. I’m so thankful we’re out in the country where that’s just not the norm.
Also thankful I don’t watch American Idol! =) I’m only familiar with the name Green Day because Darling spews it forth a few dozen times a day.
BEAUTIFULLY said, Robin. I struggle with this EVERY day. I realize the time is near that I’m going to have to loosen the reigns, and I am NOT AT ALL ready!!!
He made me LOL at his “smarter than I look” comment – Funny Girl told ME that one time :/
Hey guys :)…
It’s the middle of the night, I’ve been awake for an hour, (y a w n) I decided to get up, get some water, use the bathroom…and reply to a few comments. Hopefully, sleep will follow :/.
Dear LMM, I guess I have “thoughts”, too…even though they look very different.
Pamela, I’ve never thought of that…now I will.
Rachelle, any time you can use the word “conundrum” appropriately, I tip my hat to ya ;). I don’t remember reading that post, but I will. Not now, but eventually…
Jeanne, GREAT thought!!! One I’ve often contemplated, but you’ve written it succinctly and poignantly. I’m ever thankful and often mindful that God’s ways are not my own and I’m settled with MANY things remaining a mystery…for now.
Karmyn, would they know one if they saw one? Or would they just think it was a dog?
Heather, ha! on the arrow comment :).
Nikki, I noticed BJ DIDN’T have on his typical eyeliner! Did the others have it on?
Jill, I think I worried about those things–and more–as a child. Don’t they seem “innocent” compared to what kids fear today?
Beckie, :/…wish you didn’t.
Claudia, perhaps that WILL protect him…
Tracey, sometimes I wanna move to a remote island…it’s the whole ‘lectricy/indoor plumbing that keeps me here ;).
Susan, Hmmmm, don’t I remember a post about that? Just wait re: your kids, time is about to begin snowballing!!!!
Yowza! That last one made my own heart skip a little.
That IS dreadful that children think of things like that. I can’t imagine how you must feel after an exchange of that nature. Aside from the branded heart comment, of course.