The Information Age
He's six. Already he has his own login on the computer, a TV with cable in his room, a play station and an MP3 player. The world is changing fast enough and now I have to keep up with a six-year-old! It's not really a question of how this happened, its not really an question at all it just....is. This is now the way of life.
I know what your thinking, the kids spoiled. He's not, I promise. You just have to believe me when I say that I AM NOT one of those parents who believe their child can do no wrong. But this isn't about him this is about me. Its about how I am expected to be the one in charge when he's the one who learns things more quickly and with easier understanding than his parents.
At six years he can log on the computer and start up the internet. Thankfully he is only interested in visiting the website for Noggin and Disney. Thinking ahead, I'm so glad I can check his history on the browser so when he's a teenager I'll know what he's up to. Although he'll most likely find a way around that.
He is Smarter Than Me
I am supposed to be the Importer of Wisdom, the Teacher. The simple fact is: kids are too smart for their own good. Case in point; he teaches me how to play video games. You feel pretty silly when a six-year-old says Here, let me show you.
Here is another example; in school he is already learning Spanish. He's actually pretty good at it, but here's the kicker...I never learned enough Spanish to know if he's just making up his own Spanish words for the ones he hasnÕt learned yet. So now I look up the words just to make sure HE'S not fooling ME. What am I going to do when he's in high school and asks me to help him with math?
Kids are Sponges
Enough about how much smarter he his than me. Like I said kids are too smart for their own good, but its not their fault, their brains are little sponges. They soak up things you say in passing and squeeze them back out when you aren't prepared.
There is a older child in on our street who is about 12-years-old and likes to play with my son. I dont really like the older boy because he talks about things that scare younger children (like scary movies) and is sometimes pretty mean. When I told my husband about the older boy I didn't realize my sons sponge was soaking it up. When the older boy came over to see if my son could play my son innocently asked Why are you mean to me, my mama says you're mean? I was so in shock I just said kay time to come inside for dinner. Now I know what its like to be embarrassed by a six-year-old.
You may wonder why I would be embarrassed by this situation and it basically boils down to I didn't realize just how much my own son could comprehend. I said these things to my husband and just assumed my son wasn't paying attention and I should have known better.
Things I've Learned
I've learned a few things since the birth of my son. I will never be as computer friendly as this next generation of children but as a parent it is up to me to know what he knows even if I don't understand why or how he knows it.
I've learned that even if he learns faster and retains more knowledge I will always be his mama. Even with all the video games he plays and Spanish he learns he still wants me to play the video games with him and he wants to show off to me the Spanish hes learned to make me proud.
I've learned not to gossip because little ears hear very well. I've learned that my son can speak up for himself when someone is mean to him. I've learned to never underestimate children.
Why Do They Have to Grow Up?
Everyday I see him as a new person. He is always growing. He is growing in knowledge and spirit as well as physically. I can see what a special person he is going to be. He teaches me more everyday even about myself.
I know my parents probably went through the same pains although in different ways and I know I'll get through it also. But...he's six. He's smarter than me, and I think I'm turning into his straight man.
