Entry FeedI am lying in bed, sad for myself. After you read this, I give you permission to feel sorry for me, too.
I was putting Son Two to sleep. He is slightly feverish and has a cold, and asked that I lay down with him. No problem, sweetheart.
Unfortunately, he has watched Degrassi with me, and has lots of questions about Adam/Gracie Torres and the boy/girl. Of course, I had to explain. You see, we are all born the way we are. We are all different. We don't get to choose things about ourselves, like eye colour, height, hair colour. Some boys like boys, and some boys like girls. And some girls like girls. So you can't pick on someone because of the way that they are, because they didn't choose that. Except if they are mean, because you choose to be mean. But we have to appreciate people for who they are and what they can do. Some people are smart, some people are athletic. Some people are really good friends. (By the way, if you could follow all of the tangents of this discussion, then I assume that you have some experience explaining complicated and sensitive topics to a six year old who may or may not really care, or may just be asking questions to postpone falling asleep.)
I pointed out to Son Two things about him that he "just is," like smart, and great with numbers, and athletic - a good lacrosse player and an amazing hockey player.
Then I made a mistake. I asked Son Two what he thinks Mommy is good at, expecting answers like reading (I am world-class consumer of fiction), baking (cakes and cookies), knitting, even driving.
Son Two: Ummm... I don't know anything that you are good at.
Silence. Too shocked to respond. Good at nothing? Really? He has known me for 6 1/2 years and can't think of a single thing? Come on! He could have at least said something lame (yet sweet) like, "You are a good mommy!"
He notices my silence, and realizes that his answer may not have been exactly what I was looking for. He tries again.
Son Two: Well, I haven't seen you do everything yet.
Thanks honey. I bet if I asked him what Daddy is good at, he would have lots of things to tell me about. Unfortunately, he has fallen asleep and I am on my own to list good things about myself.