Understanding Children

Is that an oxymoron?

Try as you might, you may never fully understand children. Oh, you may think you are on to something. You think you have it nailed, then...WHAM!

Theory's gone. Moving on.

I have actually read quite a bit about the stages of childhood. I have researched age-appropriate behaviors, "normal" expectations, and characteristics of children at certain ages. Does it always help? Pfft, no. But sometimes, it is just nice to know that you are at least somewhere near the the vicinity of the ballpark of what to be expecting.



Some fun facts I have learned about the average 6 year old?


Their friends are very important to them.

They have no concept of empathy (that actually explains soooo much).

They are extremely competitive

They like to be...or rather NEED to be first

They like to win. All. The. Time.



We think we have our boy pegged. Having learned these few, simple facts about the average child of six years, we feel we should have the home-court advantage. We can try and stay one, small step ahead in the game. Maybe we won't overreact, because we know where it's coming from. Maybe we WILL overreact, 'cause we know where it's coming from. It's just nice to know.

With our new-found knowledge in hand, we are, at least, getting used to competitions. There will always be a footrace; to the car, to the door, to the phone, up the stairs, into bed, etc. ALWAYS. So, when Jeff heads to the drawer to get the spoons for breakfast cereal, he is not the least bit surprised at the four-foot something tornado that tears across the kitchen at mad speed to get to the drawer...first.

Jeff is surprised, however, when his son, after having attained the biggest spoon first, vigorously thrusts it down the back of his pajama top and begins to scratch feverishly at the unreachable itch that had been plaguing his shoulder blade. Jeff could only stand by and watch in amazement as his adorable child omitted a sigh of relief, heard 'round the world.

Just when you think you have them figured out...WHAM!