I've posted before about how my oldest child simply puzzles me. Well, the other day I found a bit in him I could relate to.
To set the scene for you, we are looking into getting a tutor for the summer for our other son who is struggling a bit in English. When I was asked if I needed tutoring for all of my children, I explained it would only be the one because my youngest doesn't need the help and my oldest is only doing poorly because he couldn't care less, not because he doesn't understand the material.
This prompted a memorable discussion with my careless child. I was correct, he told me, he didn't need help, the reason he doesn't perform in school, he explained, is because he resents the fact that he is required by law be there. As angsty, and also likely false, as this explanation is ( I don't believe for a minute that he would attend school if he weren't forced to) I can, at least understand the statement, as those of you who read my earlier posting on Seat Belt Laws can probably attest to.
Maybe there is hope for some commonality yet.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hi JJ! UJ yet again. I am seeing a factor in all this you may have missed; the elusive genetic factor. You come from a long line of iconoclasts. On our side of the family we absolutely despise authority figures. Rightfully or not, those who set themselves up as "leaders" better be able to prove worthiness, or we will do all we can to make their lives a living hell, even to our own detriment.
ReplyDeleteEven as in my case, with a full knowledge of the predisposition, it is difficult to resist "sticking it to the man" sometimes.
I spent 20 years in the military, which is a rough place for someone who hates authority. Four years of that was as a cop, and that was the worst.
My own kids would have shot themselves in the foot just to spatter me with a little blood.
The flip side of that coin is that those who are worthy earn our undying loyalty. We will do anything for them, even without compensation or praise. I had one or two teachers like that, knew a few officers and a few bosses. Not many though.
You would not have to look far to hear the master of this little personality quirk. Hes about six years older than me and does a great impression of a Klingon...