conversations with young one

I know you've had this conversation with a little person in your life at one time or another. You know, it's the one where he or she complains about something insignificant and you counter with a laundry list of reasons to be grateful: the family, the health, the home, the food, the friends, etc.

So this last time, Young One responded, "I know. You are right. I mean, it could be worse and I could be a hamster. Mamma hamsters eat their babies."

And, yes, she was very serious.

a few conversations with young one & evidence of spring in the paese

On identity and cultural differences ...
Young One: My teacher told me that we have a new kid in second grade, an American girl.
Me: Nice.
Young One: I don't know if she's really American because when I asked her in English if she was American, she answered, "Si." She could be Italian like me, though. But they call her "Mega."
Me: You're Italian, are you? Her name is probably Megan.
Young One: Mamma, I was born here! I'm Italian and American, an Italian with American parents. Anyway, I'll let you know if her mom is Italian when I see her today. Italian mammas are classical. American mammas wear flip flops when it's still cold.

About catechism class, which takes place in the paese after school on Fridays during Lent ...

Young One: I hate catecismo. Why do I have to go? Do they know that I visit the church every Friday morning with my class. Everything they try to teach me I already know and I have to pretend that I don't to be nice. And the room is crowded and noisy. And those kids are bad and loud. People shouldn't be forced to do things they don't want to do, you know.

Me: I see.

Young One: I mean. You can force kids to do things because you are the adult, but then you should expect the whining.

After the first formal piano lesson last week...

Young One: Once a week just won't do. I need piano lessons at least twice a week.

So excited for her.

conversations with young one

Young One: Uncle Denis has two wives, so I have two aunts.

Me: He has a wife, and an ex-wife. Really, only Aunt Missy is your aunt because she is Daddy's sister who married Uncle Denis. You've never met his first wife.

Young One: Can two girls get married?

Me: In some places they can.

Young One: Why?

Me: In some places they are allowed, and in some places they are not, like Italy.

Young One: I think they should be allowed to get married everywhere.

Me: Me too!

Young One: But then will they kiss?

Me: Absolutely! Married people kiss.

Young One: Ewww. And then can they have a baby?

Me: Well, they can, but they just need to get a bit of help.

Young One: Like they can adopt a baby. Or, really two ladies can have a baby because ladies have babies. They can have two at the same time.

Me: It takes a man and a woman to have a baby.

Young One:  No. Ladies make babies. What do they need from men? The lady can have the baby by herself.

Me: Nope. They need sperm from men.

Young One: Can we stop at a bar for a snack after we get my new shoes? I'm hungry.

.......................

Saved by a healthy appetite!

I'm hoping she saves the sperm questions for her Dad, but I'm ready if she asks. Undoubtedly, she'll remember the conversation ... she always does, even with so many tangents and turns, and even with only one mention of sperm. 

It really is a joy to witness her learning so many new things each and every day. It's exciting to be around, really, this curious little (open) mind.

conversations with young one

Early one morning, four days into our adventure, Young One called us into the other room: "Mom. Dad. We need to have a meeting to discuss how we are going to fit all of this stuff into my suitcase. I'm not leaving any of it."

The pile of crap (excuse my French) is already more than the extra bag I smartly packed inside of Richard's suitcase can handle, and we haven't even seen the Zulu king!
....................

conversations with young one

Young One:  Mamma, Daddy has only ever kissed three girls.
Me: Really?
Young One:  Yep. Me, you, and that girl in college who said, "Come here and kiss me, now!"
Me: How do you know about the girl in college?
Young One:  Daddy told me all about it. I know she was drunk, though.
Me: What does it mean to be drunk?
Young One: It means you drink too much wine and do stupid things.
Me: Have you ever seen someone drunk?
Young One: Only on TV.

Phew.
I'll leave it to him to reveal the details of his first wife to her. I'm just happy she's never seen me drunk; we do lead by example.

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Richard later revealed that the conversation didn't go exactly as she reported. Admittedly, he would like to have her believe that he has only ever kissed two (not three) girls, me and her. When I met him, he was already over 40 and had kissed several frogs before finding his princess. (Ahem, that would be moi.)

They have never talked about drunkeness. I hate the TV.

conversations with young one

Just after we all three sat at the dinner table yesterday evening, this quick conversation, initiated by Young One, ensued:

Young One:  I did really well on my verifica today. I ...

It prompted a simultaneous, concerned interruption from both Richard and me.

Me: You had a test?! I didn't know about a test. Did you know about this in advance?
Richard: Wait a minute! A test. What kind of test? This is the first time I hear of this test.

There had been an issue with a test in October, and since then we committed to preparing her, studying with her before any tests. It's what parents do, right?

Young One: And this (with heavy, adult-like emphasis on the word "this") is exactly why I did not tell you about it. You guys freak out (similar emphasis) any time I have a test. This was on the articoli indeterminativi (indefinite articles) and I only missed one. All of those on the paper and I only got one (emphasis) wrong and it was only because I don't know how to say "igloo" in Italian and most of the kids got that one wrong anyway but you guys freak out if I tell you I have a verifica. I have another verifica tomorrow, too, but I am not telling you anything about it. Don't freak out.

A ha. Enough said. Message to control "freak out" factor duely noted.

...........................................

The irony, of course, is that we are careful not to place emphases on the grades she earns on these tests, and use phrases peppered with "doing your best " and "being prepared." We take that preparation seriously, though. There is absolutely no "freaking out" over grades in this house, and now I know there is perhaps too much of it concerning the preparation.

What a job, this parenting.

.

conversations with young one

The questions and conversations about religion continue, always with a mixing of the languages because she rarely hears these things in English and her mind doesn't translate quite the way you might expect.

The sign of the cross and holy trinity were the latest topic, one that still leaves her confused.

"Mom, I don't understand this three in one thing. Is it il nome-- il pardre, il figlio, and lo spirito santo...all in one amen? (Is it the name -- the father, the son, and the holy spirit...all in one amen?)"

Judging that her understanding is unclear simply from the awkward wording of her question, I attempt to answer, "I, well, it's..." Have you explained the holy trinity to a seven year old lately?

She impatiently interrupts.

"I mean is it like soup? You put the broccoli, the mushrooms, and the salad in it, and then it becomes one thing. That's it. It's like soup.  Il padre, il figlio, and lo spirito santo all make amen, one thing. Do you want me to tell you the story of San Valentino? He ate a lot because he was rich. Rich people wore red clothes."

Without waiting for response from me, she eagerly continued with the story of the wealthy San Valentino.

........................

As an educator, it pleases me to see her making connections and comparisons and drawing conclusions.

As a parent, I need to teach that girl how to make a soup! The odd thing is that she chooses minestra at school a few times a week. I can assure you that it never has "salad" (lettuce) in it.

........................

Have a great weekend!

conversations with young one

While flipping through our Apple TV, searching for a sick-day movie for Young One and I to view together, I happened upon the trailer for the movie Beginners. We watched it. We love the trailer feature of Apple TV, and, at times, spend more time engaged in previews than in movies. Go figure.

Young One: Mamma, do you want to watch that movie? People die in that movie.

Me: It's a movie for adults, and, yes, I think Dad and I may watch it eventually.

Young One: Yeah. In my cartoons people die all the time, but they always come back to life.

Pause.

Young One: Just like Jesus.

..........................

Yep. Just like Jesus.

We chose to watch Richie Rich, a movie from 1994 with themes that apply today. You know, just like Jesus.

conversations with young one

During the drive home after school yesterday:

"Mamma, if you sit in the back of the class, in the very last row, then you can sleep while the teacher is talking so much."

Yawn.

................................

The homework last night was to find a leaf, so we took a little walk about the paese after arriving home. 

How do you like the fabulous grape leaf she selected?

Then I put her to bed early.

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A friend once asked me, in honest disbelief, "If not the teachers' kids, then who?" as we shared stories of a certain couple of teachers' kids who had made some very bad choices in the realm of education.

We are both educators ... we do have a reputation to uphold. Get some zzzzz's little girl.