Things that make you know you're doing something right.

[BigV]

I have enjoyed my rereading of this thread immensely. I'd like to hear more from some of the folks who've posted here about their more recent adventures in parenting. Some are still around, some are not. I'm still around, and so is SonofV. We had this wonderful exchange the other day.

We'd been talking about stuff that goes on in his life; you all know I strive to keep in touch with what's going on with them. Some of the influences in his life are bringing new ideas to his attention. I'm all for him learning about new things, but I do worry that he might misinformed or mislead. It didn't quite rise to the level of a sermon, but I wanted to communicate to him the importance of keeping an open mind, the importance of understanding the motivation of the source, and the importance of thinking for himself. That's what I thought I was getting across, but I know there was a lot of blah blah blah in the middle there...

I asked him if he understood and his response was "Yeah. Evaluate, adapt, execute."

I almost drove off the road.

That was so poetic, so appropriate, so accurate, I wondered where he'd heard it. It wasn't me. (I'm *totally* stealing it though.) I asked him to post it to my facebook wall so I wouldn't forget it (I was driving after all and I wanted to make sure I remembered it.) I later tried to find where he'd read it or heard it... I couldn't find such a reference that was the likely source, so I'm going to credit his own cognition.

Evaluate, adapt, execute. Words to live by.

[Flint]

Great! I'm using that one also!

[lookout123]

That's fantastic. I've heard similar (but not exact) phrases in sales and military training. Most excellent analysis and extraction by SonofV.

[Lamplighter]

My G-daughter is 8, and has been living in Central Oregon til recently.
As G-parents we're often not up to date what her Mom has told her about sex or staying safe, etc.

There's an ad running on TV now I've only heard twice.
I still don't know what it's about, but this morning an idea struck me
as being simple enough for kids of all ages to get a safety message, without being scary.

In the ad, a woman's voice says:
"Never trust anyone who tells you to keep a secret"

As a parent I'd add something like:
"If anyone does, come tell me about it... no secrets between us"
.

[B-Tay]

My son is 7-1/2 and a S.F. Giants fan. We are traveling to Florida next week for Spring Break and I mentioned to him "hey we are in Florida when baseball season starts. Maybe if we are lucky the Giants are playing the Marlins" and he said that he hates the Marlins because "they hurt Buster Posey".

Note to self: this kid knows how to hold a grudge.

[BigV]

Ouch.



I hope your son and you do get to enjoy some baseball. Even rooting against can be fun.

[BigV]

This was just before the election five years ago when the candidates for president debated each other.

Originally Posted by BigV

Yesterday SonofV brightened my day with this unsolicited announcement, delivered with a touch of surprise (or perhaps that was me projecting...):

"Nobody in my class watched the debate last night!"

I must say I was proud of his pique. The night before we'd all watched the debate together, and he was hanging in there with us (Tink and me), listening to what they said, and generally copying our reactions. We all went for a walk after the program and I used the quiet time to ask him some questions about the debate. I can't remember the exact dialog, but he answered them all handily.

I asked him what the debate was all about, and he said they were trying to persuade people. What do you mean, persuade? You know, like if I asked you to loan me $50, and I said because I needed it that would be persuading. What people? The people in the audience and everybody in the country. I was astounded at this perceptive answer. How are they trying to persuade the people? (paraphrasing here, sorry) I'm going to be a good president, and the other guy is a poopyhead. Basically he understood that persuading can be effective as a pull and as a push.

I did have to check his enthusiasm when he answered one of my first questions "What did you think of McCain?" "He's a dick." : Ahh... no. He's not a dick, he wants the best for the country, but I don't agree with his choices or with his methods. SonofV shocked me with his, ahem, candor. I tried to get him back up out of the mud. I think there is no permanent damage.

Fast forward almost five years ---->

Mom(ofV) and SonofV filling out their ballots for the primary election, SonofV's first!


SonofV diligently reading the voter's pamphlet, learning about the candidates for mayor. Though he liked the name of one candidate, "Goodspaceguy" (Yes, really.), he didn't like much else about him and voted for someone else.


The three of us in a wobbly, poorly aimed selfie, but I'm as proud as I can be!

[Sundae]

V I felt I missed the chance to comment on your green beard by the time I saw it.
But I did think you looked mighty fine.

This time I can comment not just on physical appearance, but on your most excellent family and values too.
Good on you and Mum and Son-of-V.
Even if your candidate doesn't win you have taken on the yoke of elective democracy. This is cool potatoes.

BTW, I'm only buttering you up so that when I win a plane ticket to Seattle you will introduce me to some roller-derby-girlz

ETA of course that's not true. Except for wanting to be introduced.
And the bit about the butter.

[Aliantha]

Very cool.

[Clodfobble]

Minifob's new bedtime habit is to fall asleep listening to NPR. He doesn't understand half (or more) of what they're talking about, of course, but he loves to try.

[Flint]

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

Minifob's new bedtime habit is to fall asleep listening to NPR. He doesn't understand half (or more) of what they're talking about, of course, but he loves to try.

This is what I refer to, in parenting terms, as "rad" or "totally rad"



The mini-Pooka informed us, months ago, mid-Kindergarten, that reading at night "helps her mind to settle down," so that she can go to sleep.

I told her, "I do the same thing!"

I don't know when I learned this trick, but I damn well know that it wasn't anywhere near Kindergarten.

The kids got something frighteningly smarter than I am, in their mother's genes.

[Sundae]

During these long, light nights I've found my choice of reading material (or occasional TV series) influences my dreams. Given I've been watching Hannibal and The Returned, and reading crime novels, I've certainly not been settled down

Mini-Pooks probably hasn't been reading about evisceration underground in the Peak District though.

I've taken to listening to (BBC Sports Radio) 5 Live at night. I tend to wake up at 02.00 to find the radio is still softly on, talking about rugby or cricket somewhere in the Southern hemisphere. I'm like Minifob - barely understand it, but it's a comforting sound.

[BigV]

Originally Posted by SonofV

Dad

Originally Posted by SonofV

My ears are in love

Originally Posted by Me

Do tell.

Originally Posted by SonofV

Sarah Vaughn, has a voice and musical talent made in heaven

Originally Posted by SonofV

She sings along with the music so perfectly that I'm in awe

Originally Posted by Me

As well you should be, she is a legendary talent.

What song?

Originally Posted by SonofV

September song

Originally Posted by SonofV

That's the type of jazz I love

Originally Posted by Me

Cool.

[Gravdigr]

Off to check out "September Song".

A kid that age liking Sarah Vaughan, that's a little reassuring.

[DanaC]

Pretty damned impressive V.

Has he listened to any Miles Davis at all?