“I want my sister to do something like I have to do karate. It’s not fair.” That was the opening discussion on our way to school the other day. Ah yes, my favorite reason for young angst: it’s not fair. Nevermind that it’s not fair I have to keep hearing that phrase.
He’s upset that the lass has so much more free time than he does right now. Never mind that school is almost over and he’ll be bored about 24 hours later. Never mind that he actually enjoyed all those activities he had this year. All that matters is that his sister isn’t busy enough for his taste. Never mind that he actually wanted to do another sport this Summer. (For the record, we’re making a conscious decision not to get him too involved in camps and the like this Summer.)
The gall of 7-year olds.
The Wife informed me he made the same pitch to her today. She took the “You didn’t do a lot at your sister’s age” tact; I took the “I’m sorry, who put you in charge?” tact. I also pointed out their difference in ages and that, by comparison, the lass is actually busier than he was at the same age. But the boy isn’t one to let facts get in the way of a good snit.
It’s actually in keeping with a general theme of surliness in the boy’s behavior of late. Anything can set him off: his guy dies on the DS, he’s asked to feed the dogs, he’s asked to vacuum his room, he arrives home and we ask him how his day was, we’re having chicken for dinner, whatever. He makes a snap judgment in the moment and decides that life doesn’t suit him- time to lodge a complaint.
Unfortunately for the Wife and I, we’re customer service. Can I get an It’s not fair?
I’m hopeful that time off from everything will positively impact his mood. He has been very busy this year, often times only having 1 day of the week where he didn’t have to be somewhere. It turns out that the line between “professional child” and exposing a child to different things is a fine one. It ended up being way easier to fill up a schedule than we’d anticipated. But with the Summer here, he won’t have many requirements on his time. It’ll be a good chance to recharge his batteries.
Until, of course, that no longer suits him either.
One reply on “The Boy Tries to Flex His Muscles”
Growing is such hard work … so many things going on in once little body … mental – physical – new levels of responsibility – higher levels of expectation – personal aspirations – and the growing ability to manage opinions/consequences/ and knowledge simultaneously …
Perhaps this will be the summer of being 7 – of learning more about himself, escaping into the world of books, and spending time alone to come to terms with everything that is going on in that growing body !! A lot to handle when you’re only 7 ! !