GIRL has been talking seriously about being a "children's doctor" when she grows up. Well, as seriously as an almost 4 year old can be. Which is pretty friggin' serious. She says it every day. She has lots of questions. Lots. Finally, I decided to break out my Anatomy text book. We have spent much time poring over the Chapter on Skeletons. We also looked at some organs, most notably the gall bladder. A hot topic since one of her grandmothers recently had it removed. My credo is: if you can't answer all the bloody questions yourself, get a book out and find the answers. The library. Our home bookshelf. The Internet. Whatever works. The questions still come. Children's minds are wildly curious, but sometimes it can drive you to drink.
I guess I should be grateful. My cousin and I were on the phone the other day and she told me something that, frankly, we both found horrifying. Perhaps a strong word, but...NO. At her son's end of the year party/graduation for his preschool, the teacher went around asking the children what they wanted to be when they grew up. All 5 girls, but one, said they wanted to be a Princess when they grow up. A Princess? HELLO? Make Believe! Make Believe. Maybe I'm overreacting? Maybe. Snotty? Perhaps. And maybe this will come back to bite me in the ass in a couple of years when GIRL declares that she wishes to live like Sleeping Beauty and wait for her prince. But, today I'm going to feel smug and superior.
Meanwhile, while GIRL is studying anatomy, I can be heard yelling, "DIE YAHOO! DIE!" Because, for some completely unknown reason, my Yahoo mail is not working and I am going fucking BONKERS. It's been going on all day, with both computers. Every time I reply to an email it kicks me out and asks for my password AGAIN. And...I am ALREADY SIGNED IN, DAMN IT!" Anger issues.
So, for the next 30 minutes the rest of the day, I'm going to take some deep breaths and fly along with BOY's imagination as he conversed with GIRL the other day:
BOY: We're having a really bad day, aren't we? Do you want to go to South Carolina? We'll go to the airport.
Yes, BOY, please send me to South Carolina. I could use some sweet tea, soft breezes and no access to email...right about ...NOW.
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What a caring boy--can you ask if I can come too ;)
ReplyDeleteMy oldest daughter has wanted to be a fashion designer since she was in diapers making barbie wedding dresses out of tissue--she LOVES project runway. Maybe when GIRL gets older there will be TOP DOCTOR or something for her :)
I am having a shit day, if it is any consolation
ReplyDeletelove the doctor aspirations, so much better than a facking princess, which is how most of my girl's preschool class responded. i was smug mama when my girl said artist...and then princess, but still. (=
ReplyDeletehope as i comment here, your yahoo has worked out.
I know a young woman who said she wanted to be president when she was nine. She's now well on her way toward becoming a surgeon. Dream high, daughters!
ReplyDeleteA Dixie getaway is a grand idea...but NOT UNTIL AFTER I COME TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA! please.
ReplyDeleteHRH was having palpatations because RC kept "changing his mind about what he wants to be when he grows up". He turned 3 in April...
ReplyDeleteHRH has only vacillated between veteranarian or architect. And he will.
Can I come to SC with you, too? I can get myself to the airport.
You wonder what there mom's are telling them (or not telling them) that they think Princess is a job.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Now you have me singing that song, "...I told her way down yonder past the caution sign there's a little country store with an old coke sign, you gotta stop and ask Miss Bell for some of her sweet tea...Then a left will take you to the interstate, but a right will bring you right back here to me."
ReplyDeleteAh, love that song.
Hope your day cheers up.
Princess? Help. My worries now go beyond the next Presidential election. I am truly scared of a world full of pink tulle and tiaras. I'm glad your Girl wants to be a doctor, but could you talk her into going into Geriatrics instead? I'm gonna need her...
ReplyDeleteMaybe they want to work at Disneyland, as princesses? My 9-year old son is still pretty set on being an actor, stand-up comic, or foley artist (sound effects guy). I guess we all have our niches...
ReplyDeleteI still want to be a princess some day.
ReplyDeleteKEEP BELIEVING
You should switch to GMail.com :) It rocks!
ReplyDeleteI think it's awesome that she's so curious. My son is like that, though not so much anatomically, and I think it's great. I also like that you look up the answers for her. I sometimes do that and other times am apt to answer with a lame, "Oh, I don't know. Because they just DO."
ReplyDeleteThe princess as role model is distressing to me, too. Right now one of my daughters wants to be a teacher and the other wants to be "famous" so she can "own a mansion."
ReplyDeleteMomma bites her tongue. Except to say, you can be an actress with a college diploma.
Hope your GIRL keeps up the intellectual curiosity!! Wow. She's an ambitious little thing.
How funny - South Carolina ( which is gorgeous, ah yes, Charleston!) How did he get that idea, had he been there?
ReplyDeleteAs for the princess thing - whoo-boy! The Disneyfication of America!
Good for you for encouraging her, feed that little brain, they have an unlimited ability to memorize stuff at that elementary age.
ReplyDeleteThere are some terrific anatomy colouring books for studying the parts and names, and I have the most incredible, life size paper skeleton from Usborne for kids to put together. My kids are going to label each bone this year as we assemble it.
I think at age 5 it's okay to want to be a princess. They're still so innocent. But at age 8 or 9....then I'd start worrying. A lot.
ReplyDeleteAnd computer issues are enough to put me right into the loony bin. You're so not alone.
I love it when they're so curious--even to the point of exasperation. But I have to admit, I love it too when they still show all that imagination and believe in the make believe. I just wish it wasn't always princesses with girls.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter wants to be a "pink superman" when she grows up.
ReplyDeleteUgh. The minute they told me we were having a girl, my first thought was "how to I ward off the princess crap?" Don't get me wrong. I loves me some Disney...but I cannot stand how every little girl is supposed to be all pink and princess-y. I played in dirt and (reportedly) ate a worm. Go you for having a mini-doctor.
ReplyDeleteAnd my Yahoo! wasn't working today either. My Gmail was though, I highly recommend it.
How about NORTH Carolina? Hmmm? :P
ReplyDeleteOh God! South Carolina sounds darn right dreamy, right now. Can I come?
ReplyDeleteIf my daughter said she wanted to be a princess, I might cry big crocodile tears...then buy her a doctor kit.
We just reserved a condo at Myrtle Beach for September if you'd care to join us. It's shoulder season, meaning rooms are about half the usual price and it's not nearly as crowded.
ReplyDeleteThe Queen, despite her predilection for all things pink and sparkly, has announced that she is going to be a teacher and a builder.