Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Life's like a box of band-aids

"Life is hard." Jay uttered as I was tucking him into sleep.

I looked into his blue eyes and I worried at his profound adult-like statement. Unprepared that night, I wasn't ready for a philosophical conversation. More so, I wanted to preserve his innocence and encourage child-like thoughts of puppies and rainbows for as long as possible. So I inappropriately giggled, lovingly threw him his adored Baby Dog and asked him, "Why? Why do you say that?"

"Cause. Cause when you have a band-aid and you RIP it off it really hurts." He frowned. "Life is really hard."

Phew, I exhaled. "Yes. Sometimes life is hard. But when you pull that band-aid off and see brand new skin you should smile." I happily ended it at that, for the time being.

Time to brush up on my Aristotle and Augustine for more adult like conversation with my son, in the near future. Which I am greatly looking forward to having after seven years of philosophizing about Elmo's nakedness, wondering about Dora's ability to talk to monkeys, contemplating and memorizing the lyrics to Yo Gabba Gabba's "Party in my Tummy." Some Nietzsche, in moderation, will be refreshing.

34classy comments:

Amanda said...

Aww...What a cutie!
It never fails to surprise me what they come away with.
l,
Amanda x

Anonymous said...

I think that sometimes it isn't as important that you can appropriately dialogue with your children's philosophy ... as long as you can just simply listen.

I'm failing miserably at that right now, but it is one of my goals. To just listen.

Jessica said...

On our family vacation at the beach, My #1 announced on the top of his lungs: "Mama, why is that Daddy's tummy so big?" My face fell as I looked over at the relatively large, beer guzzling, hairy chested, gentleman sitting in the lounge chair next to us. "um, well baby, your daddy has a big tummy too right? Much bigger than yours! That is what makes DAddy's Daddys." My 6'5", 180 lb husband almost rolled off his lounger in pure hysterics when I made the comparison :) There are just certain questions that just don't have good answers!

Ed said...

Arggg!! Every time I think that song is finally out of my head...."so yummy! so yummy!"

I, too, am looking forward to the days of deeper thought.

GypsiAdventure said...

There are days I long to have back the moments of innocence when I thought life was tough because I'd lost a doll or couldn't spend the night at a friends house or...ripping off a bandaid really hurt :). Yes, life is tough, but so worth it to hold our babies in our arms just once.
~K

Flea said...

I don't know about Nietzsche, necessarily, but philosophizing with growing kids can be a world of fun. Enjoy!

Stephanie said...

How sweet! He's getting so big!

Kate Coveny Hood said...

I think I know what he's talking about. years ago, I stabbed finger with a staple at work and had the very clear thought, "goddamn that hurts! I never want that to happen again!" But then I had the immediate realization that it would most likely happen again. And there would be more...I would stub my toe and crack my head on the door getting out of the car...maybe fall down a few stairs and twist my ankle... Life is so physical - and painful. I wonder how we live through each day without falling prey to constant fear and anxiety of the inevitable pain. I guess we just toughen up early - ripping off all of those bandaids.

I love the idea of brushing up on philosophy. I loved those classes in school and remember next to nothing about them!

Tara R. said...

They can be such deep thinkers sometimes. I still love bedtime discussions with my kids.

Lynette3boys said...

Great response to the band aid ripping. Impressive.

the mama bird diaries said...

Sigh... I wish band-aids were the hardest part of life. How sweet.

Heather said...

Those band-aids are tricky business. Thank goodness for new skin. :O)

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

That Jay is wise beyond his years.

Take the band-aid analogy and go with it.

Melissa @ I Pick Pretty said...

Aw. Once again, it strikes me that I ought to just carry around a tape recorder (and my Intro to Philosophy book, apparently) once I have kids.

Unknown said...

Pulling off the band-aid is hard, especially if it's on your arm where there's a lot of hair! ; )

And sometimes, metaphorically too. Love this...

Chrissy said...

Today, bandaids...tomorrow....???

Nicole Caccavo Kear said...

If I had known I'd be asked such tough questions, I would have taken a few philosophy classes in college. This weekend, I literally had to explain the history of civilization to my four year-old. It was not pretty. I can't even play Trivial Pursuit.

Kelly said...

It would be so much easier to just keep them in a bubble wouldn't it??

Clare said...

oh, i don't want them to grow up...make it stop:)

amanda said...

so sweet! and isn't yo gabba gabba the craziest thing EVER!?! :)

Amy said...

I love it!! I'm not really having all that deep conversations with my teen. Well other than who's hooking up with who on Gossip Girl ;-)

Why not said...

hahahah how cute!!

Tami said...

Life is hard, you can soften the pain by soaking the band aid for a few minutes with some water and then it dosen't hurt so bad ;)

3 Peanuts said...

Aww how sweet. I wish that was the most pain he was ever going to feel.

My almost 12 year old told me right before bed that he is so sad that he has to grow up now that he will be going to middle school. He is afraid he will not be able to play with Legos or enjoy the "little kid" stuff anymore because he will be made fun of. He still wants to play.

I told him he can play with legos til he's 100 and who cares what anyone else thinks!

Jill said...

It amazes me every day what comes out of their little mouths!

My 6 year old is talking with me like a peer recently - having way more adult conversations.

My 4 year old? She just told me yesterday she can't wait to teach the baby how to "toot" and burp.

I'm so proud!

Kari said...

Oh yes! Stunt his growth and his innocence!! In this world they grow up way to fast!!!
I love what you told him about the "good" of ripping of a band-aid. Is it just me, or are you a "glass is half FULL" kind of gal!? I cannot wait to hear the kind of statements Charlotte and Audrey will make. But, until then, I am soaking up every second with them, and loving on them while they are still little!!!

Kari said...

Oh, and we got the EasyBake Oven today! It was such a busy evening {church and all} that we didn't have time to bake. But tomorrow after lunch, I have a feeling we are going to be eating light-bulbed desserts!!! Thanks again!

Melissa ♥ Spoiled Mommy said...

The things that children will say, I think you handled it very well...simple but pwerful and truthful.
Good job Mommy!

Paula said...

Just found your blog and enjoyed not only reading it the top post but my smile too. What a cutie. Surely I will check in again. Hab a fabulous day. Paula

Anonymous said...

Awww, you've got such a little thinker on your hands! That is a cute story!

Courtney said...

Life is hard....at least until you become an adult & it really is hard. Good luck brushing up.

Jaina said...

If only pulling off bandaids was the hardest life got. Give him a big hug for me!

A♥B said...

Haha I love it!

Loukia said...

So cute! Ah, to have the problems of a child again...

 

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