Growing up is hard. I remember as a child thinking I was so wise beyond my years, believing I could do it all by myself. Aren feels the same way...well, he did anyway until this afternoon.
Aren has always loved reading. He's seriously been reading since he was around 2 years old. I swear. I've got video of him reading Dr. Seuss and I have friends that will witness how they took an encyclopedia off the shelf and handed it to four year old Aren and he began reading the whole thing. I guess nerd runs in the family, huh Rick. His love for reading has continued and continued and a few weeks ago he discovered Harry Potter. He's read books two and three, started four and is half way through number one...don't ask. We're allowing him to watch the movies, but only after each book is read. Because of this, it's been hard to tear him away from book one.
This morning as he was reading, I asked him if he could stop and help straighten the family room. He looked right at me and said, "But mom, I'm reading Harry Potter and don't want to stop." I calmly told him that if he wanted me to help him with anything today that he needed to put that book down and help me. His reply? He stared at me for a few seconds then continued to read. Fine. No help. Rick tried to help him understand and got the same reaction. Fine. No help from dad.
Aren asked for help gathering snacks for church. No help. He asked for help gathering books. No help. Every request this morning was handled by me saying, "I'm sorry. I don't help people who don't help our family." It seemed to be going ok until we got home from church and Aren said, "Mom, I'll just have the usual for lunch...ya know...Raman," to which I replied, "I'm sorry...". Then it hit. The tears started coming and didn't stop for ten minutes. He kept saying, "I'm sorry. I promise I'll help you again," to which I responded, "I'm sure you will. Now go make your Raman."
I wonder which is harder - being a kid and needing so much help or being the grown up and doing all the helping. Maybe it's a toss up.
4 comments:
Good job mom, way to stick to your guns!
Oh, my heart goes out to him. I also want to deny all responsibility and read all day, but I don't have anyone here to do my work for me.
Blame it on Harry Potter.
We are going through something simillar with our kid. Hats off to you for sticking with it.
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