Before it should have mattered, my youngest noticed Time. Before he could even tell it, he was obsessed with it.
His insatiable need-to-know about plans and schedule for, well… anything… bordered on O/C. He didn't stop at asking once, either; he'd have to verify later. Then usually one more time just to make sure nothing had changed.
As he got older, he'd ask until my voice agitated and raised, but that was probably for sport. It eventually led to my need for special "shampoo" to wash away the question-induced grays (or at least that's my I'm-sticking-to-it story 😉 ). The upside is he does his part to make sure we're never late. For anything.
It's not just about time itself, but also pattern. When 1:11, 2:22, 3:33, etc. flicker in digital, it becomes cause for exclamation; 12:34 is cause for downright celebration.
So my latest discovery should come as no surprise: he admitted to my husband over the weekend that his cellphone alarm is set nightly for 10:05. Why you ask? Because he doesn't want to miss–and wants time to get ready for–
10:10:10
- I wonder what he means by "get ready"….
- Gosh, I like a kid who knows how to celebrate the Little Things.
- My heart Christmas-morning-Grinch-swelled three sizes.
- The kid has a future with Omega (just ask Michael Phelps regarding his win over Milorad Cavic).
Revised: Mission ACCOMPLISHED!! 🙂
Your turn: What are your children's quirks or idiosyncrasies that both drive you to the brink of insanity and endear them even more to you?
The journalist in me loves this vignette. For better or for worse, my life is defined by time, so to see it taking root in your son is pretty inspiring!
Our youngest son will not leave the house unless he’s hugged the dog. Which often means meandering through every room looking for him while the rest of us are already in the car, waiting. Doesn’t matter how late we are: He needs that touchstone of the day, and even if the world says otherwise, he’s going to get it.
Three years on, he still thinks about how Frasier came to be with us – rescued from an abusive home – and he never wants his dog to feel like he isn’t loved, never wants him to experience abandonment. Makes me want to cry every time he explains why.
So I’m OK with the time thing because he’s got more empathy – for his dog and everyone else he encounters – in his pinkie than most people have everywhere else. We may arrive fashionably late because of it, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Oh my. I’m a little bit like your son… not just with time, but with numbers in general. Wonder what that means?
Hi! Just stumbled upon your blog today. Hope you’re well.
Oh my!!!!
I love it. Carmi’s comment reminded me that my youngest can’t go to bed or leave or come home without first addressing the cat. He has to tell her good night or good morning or hello or whatever. And yes, that means tracking her down before he can go to bed. LOL!!
My oldest is excited about this year’s birthday because it’s on ten twenty twenty ten. He noticed this quite some time ago.
And both of them always catch things like 1:11 or 1:23 and such. It would seem that our boys are all in good company.
AW, when I was a kid I would make a wish every time both sides of the : matched. 10:10, 11:11, etc. I wonder if he’s making wishes.
I think there is order in the numbers and it is calming.
When my sister was younger the numbers 6 4 6 kept popping up on her for about a year. (she’d go to the store and the price would be $6.46). She’d glance up a the clock and it would be 6:46 on and on….
now I can’t NOT look at the clock and if it is 6:46, I think of her.
My two are pretty little and the stubborn insistence to do everything by themselves is very, very strong. But I would hardly call that an idiosyncracy. But now I’m going to be watching them!
Cheryl,
Oh, how I remember THOSE days! "I do it myself!" Gosh…I can still hear that ringing in my ears…! 🙂
He got this from the Dance side of the family…. they are NEVER late…at least the ones that I know well:) Me on the other hand….