As I sat with my little boy the other evening, I was folding socks. He was poring over the 2009 Road Atlas. I asked him how everything was going.
"Mom, I'm not a magnet."
I stopped folding and looked at him.
He said, "Let me explain it to you scientifically. Some people are magnets." He began to draw me a diagram. "Think of people as pieces of metal and they are always attracted to the magnets. I am like lightening. I am the electricity that is on the outside. I can be attracted to the magnets, but none of the metal is attracted to me."
We talked about the importance of electricity and if he wished he was a magnet. He shook his head no, but said he just wished sometimes the kids wanted to follow him during the games on the playground. I told him that electricity and magnets need each other. He said, "Mom, those are electromagnets and that is a completely different subject."
His 8th birthday is Sunday. I need him to know that although he may not be leading the games on the playground, his influence on others is profound. He disarms adults, is a kind and loyal friend, and the younger children love to play with him because he's inclusive and inventive.
Yes Conner, you are lightening. You light up the sky and make people stop and often watch in wonder. There is nothing I could ever do in this life that is more worthwhile than be you and your sister's mom. Happy Birthday son. Your future awaits... And can we have that conversation soon about electromagnets, cuz I totally don't get what they are.
33 comments:
Wow, what an intelligent almost eight year old! I am so impressed. I hope he has a happy birthday (and I hope he knows how much his family loves him too!).
I loved that! What a great analogy and what a good mama you are. Happy 8th birthday!
What a smart boy!! You are such a good mommy!! I hope that he has a wonderful birthday full of electricity!! (0;
I'm sure he's going to make lots and lots of money someday!
Wow. What great analytical thinking for a little man like that. I hope he comes to terms with his role. Magnets always look like they're having such fun. But I think looks are often just that--looks. Electricity may in the end find truer friendship. Happy Birthday!
I love Neal Maxwell, too. I think we have that book of his. But it must be packed in storage ... a can't wait for our house to be done :P
Thanks for voting for me. You are awesome (whether you voted for me or not) !
What a smart little cookie! You are doing a great job. It is too bad we can't make everything on the playground better. It seems that is what I hear the most about when the kids get home from school.
What a smart boy you have! His comment about electromagnet was hilarious! Hope he has a fun Birthday Sunday!
What a fantastic post, sweetheart! What a great way to tell him you love him.
DCM
Electricity is the BOMB!! I always wanted to be one of the magnnets, too but never was. Sometimes it takes a little longer to appreciate the lightening-it's so bright and fantastic it can seem hard to enjoy. But when the others figure out how wicked cool the lightening is to play with, watch out!!
Wow, what an amazing young man you have there! And for the record, I really like lightning.
I haven't figured out just what Jacob is yet, but I know he's not a magnet either. Some days I think he might be a tornado...
Oh, and the geology kit this year was "Crystal Mining." Santa bought it on Amazon. ;)
He completely disarmed me with that analogy! What a smart kid. Happy Birthday!
I am disarmed again. That was at once intelligent, bittersweet and tender. I just love Connor.
Smart boy and an adorable smile! Happy birthday!!!!!
Okay, I kid you not. Five minutes after I posted that last comment, I went upstairs to check on the boys...and found them pretending to be tornadoes. They've never (to my knowledge) done that before. I think I might be on to something...
And I meant to tell you, those photos are stunning!
This kid is a genius and what an incredible analogy! I loved it. I'm still in awe at his though process. And I am impressed with how you handled the conversation. Hope he has a great birthday!
I was wondering where you went. Maybe your just handling your blogging addiction better than I am. I need to know how you're doing it! Your son is much smarter than me, and so ae you, becasue I don't know anything about electricity and magnets. I just know that magnets and metal stick together. but I don't know if it's the metal tht it attracted to the magnet or the magnet that is attracted to the metal.
This was so sweet. He's very fortunate to have you for his mother. He's a very smart, very good-looking kid. I hope he has a great birthday!
That's just awesome. I can't believe he knows all that stuff. And I love the pics :)
Do what I do... run into the toilet with the laptop and google it, then come back all knowledgeable and stuff.
P.S. Conner is my nephew's name (Conor)and it is my belief that anyone named Conner/Conor is a genius.
wow that is insightful! You know...electricity kind of makes the world go round...Magnets just get bombarded with dead weight.
I think its better to be electricity.
I'm sorry you won't be able to go to the conference! Let me know if you change your mind or maybe next year.
Rachel, I just wanted to let you know that I finished "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" and I no longer recommend it. The ending is the worst. Most of the story was good but the ending, ugh. I don't know why it's such a popular book when it has such a bad ending. Just wanted to give you a heads up since I know you were trying to decide whether or not to read it!
Missing you. Hope everything's okay.
I am blog stocking ....just kidding ... I was so touched by your blog that I had to tell you. In case you wonder who I am I am Mindi J's sister In Law.
What a boy!! And Happy 8th! My sons is coming up and it makes me so happy and so sad at the same time!!
Hope you have a beautiful weekend! ♥ Hugs :)
Wow! My 8 year old certainly never talks about anything like that. What an amazing little boy you have there. His analogy is very profound.
first thanks for coming by my blog and leaving a comment.
Second. Your boy has a mind of a 14 year old.. Watch out!!!
Pretty sad for me when a 7 year old has a "bigger brain than I"
I am following you... :0)
Such a lovely post, Rachel. I never tire of reading the stories and antedotes that come from children. Always inventive!
You have yourself a very special and beautiful boy. Happy 8th Birthday to him!
-Francesca
Okay, I'm SO IN LOVE with your page-from your sidebar, to you pictures to your posts! AWESOME place! Thanks for finding me!
You have a new follower! ♥
this is so beautiful. thanks for sharing. i think you are an amazing writer.
That's so sweet! How cute that he knows all that! Fun blog!
www.oneshetwoshe.blogspot.com
Post a Comment