Me and my five year old:
Me: (handing him a towel as he gets out of bath)
Finn: (shows me his hands) I am a raisin. (giggles)
Me: Yup, you’re a raisin.
Finn: (mischievous grin) Hey, you wanna give me a high five?
Me: No, Finn.
Finn: (laughs heartily) How did you know I was going to trick you.
Me: Because you’re a trickster.
Finn: (still laughing) Is a trickster a bad thing?
Me: Depends on the trick.
Finn: But is a trickster bad?
Me: Usually
Finn: Why?
Me: Because he tricks people.
Finn: Then I don’t want to be a trickster.
Me: No, you don’t want to be a trickster.
Finn: Hey! You said it wrong. You should have said “Yes, you don’t want to be a trickster.”
Finn: It’s like I can’t understand anyone anymore.
Me: You’re right, Finn. I said it wrong. I love you.
Finn: Why?
Me: Because your mind works.
Finn: (grows thoughtful) But I only have one trick, not a thousand tricks like a trickster.
Me: That’s true.
Finn: (long pause, followed by tremendous laughter, rolling around in bed) Look what my mind did! Look, it’s in my mind! Look, it’s in my mind!
Wonderful fun! Remember these times with him, as they will fly by.
One thing I loved so much about my three sons was their sweet idealism. I can remember my oldest son at about age seven, when he told me earnestly that the way to fix the world’s problems was to get rid of money, and work out a system of barter and trade that would keep people sharing and caring for each other.
It was my sad duty to tell him gently that the world doesn’t work that way, but that he could always strive to do good things and be a decent person.
Kids have the amazing ability to lift us up, put hope back into our hearts, and make us laugh. Cherish it!
Yes when you feel like the whole world is standing on your shoulders.Your child can make things feel oh so much better.By their simple love and joy.
At that age, they are opening like little flowers. Their little minds are open to so many ideas. My wife does sub teaching, and enjoys the little ones quite a bit.
Don’t you just love the five year old perspective! I only have one grandchild left in that category to enjoy. The rest have moved on toward adulthood.
See, now you’re having fun. Remember that feeling. And the source.
You have a smart little guy.
I have two older kids, 28 and 23, and my current wife and I have an 8 month old. So you could say I’ve had my own grandchild. It’s so much fun. Looking forward to all of it, one more time.
All kinds of awesome!
nice awesome!
sounds like you’re raising a philosopher!
Delightful!
Precious, this early evidence of Finn developing the skills that will allow him to snatch the pebble from anyone’s hand.
Y’alls conversation makes me smile.
Thanks.
Wonderful. I miss my 5 year old, who’s now 16.
you will remember this moment, and 1,000 like it 30 years from now, when he has his kids.
This is a particularly great moment, Martin. Thanks for sharing it with us.
This is a particularly great moment, Martin. Thanks for sharing it with us.