Did you think that you would ever let your kids get one over on you? Naw. Of course not. So when my son told me he was “staying after” to work on a physics lab, a red flag went up. He has never stayed after for an academic in his acdemic life, so what makes him think that won’t go unnoticed? His age.
My experience (and okay, my age) told me to dig deeper. Wasn’t too long until this archeologist was able to uncover the real reason, which would be a 44 on his last quiz. Yes, it was a test retake – not work on a scienc lab that kept my son after school and verbally dancing.
Imagine his surprise when he got in the car and I asked, “So do you think you did better on the re-take?” I wish I had a camera to capture his double take. It was precious. I believe his problem is confusion. It’s supposed to be mind over matter, not never mind that matter.
Like Bob Dylan sang, “When will they ever learn? When will they eeeeeeverrrr learn.” I just wish his grades were a long time passing. Sigh.
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“I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now.” – Bob Dylan
8 responses so far ↓
1 Maternal Mirth // Nov 4, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Seriously, what ARE they thinking? I have already warned and warned and warned my kids “I have done everything you’re thinking about doing and I did it better.”
And my parent’s said the same thing to me … it’s a vicious cycle, no?
2 Christina // Nov 4, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Hahah… kids are great. And no matter the generation, they never beleive that YOU were a kid once and just as sneaky.
Great catch!
3 Laura // Nov 5, 2008 at 9:57 am
Well what YOU did is much kinder than what I might have done…
“Liar Liar Pants on Fire.”
4 Mad Woman // Nov 7, 2008 at 10:48 am
It amazes me that these children think they can pull one over on us. Nice try boyo…nice try.
And mom…carry a camera from now on.
5 Caloden // Nov 8, 2008 at 12:29 pm
The self-centeredness of this age makes it so damn easy to catch them in their ways. I love that look, the one that says, “Huh? How’d ya know?” And that’s when I tell my son, “I’ve been there. I’ve told the same lies and maybe a few more. Gotta try harder next time.” At which point his skinny jeans slouch a few more inches down his waist and he skulks off to his world of texting.
6 blessed1 // Nov 8, 2008 at 11:16 pm
SNORTING with laughter here. I can imagine his surprise and your smile in that moment!
7 Midwest Mom // Nov 13, 2008 at 11:27 am
THAT sounds just like what my mom used to do to me! Scary.
My oldest is seven, and I just found a note scrawled on to a piece of notebook paper addressed to his brother, saying “Don’t tell Mom anything about me… EVER.”
I thought, “Oh, brother. It begins.”
8 Steph // Nov 15, 2008 at 11:34 am
Too funny. Loved this story