Categories: family
Date: 19 January 2009 09:15:19
So. While I'm busy dealing with death, the series of 'why?' questions Mr Standard is having to answer currently seem to revolve around one particular aspect to gender differences.
Elder Son is totally clear on the fact that his sister is a girl and he and his brother are boys. And he knows daddy is a man. If you suggest to him that he is a 'little man' he quite strongly will correct you and tell you, 'No, I'm a big boy'. Mr Standard has tried explaining that boys grow up to be men. But is appears that Elder Son still occasionally thinks that 'men' are a third type of people. (In case you are wondering, Mummy is a girl!). And given his fixation it is understandable.
Elder Son is currently interested in knowing all about beards.
Mr Standard shaves each morning, but by bedtime the stubble is starting to show. So, of course, as Daddy kisses him goodnight, Elder Son asks 'Why is your chin scratchy?'. A short explanation was all that was required that evening.
The next night the question was, 'Why don't you get a beard on your nose'. Mr Standard's reply of 'because I don't' didn't really satisfy. 'Why not?'. 'Because people just don't - now, goodnight'. 'But why don't you?'. 'Because I'm clearly not man enough! Goodnight son'.
I think both Elder Son and Mr Standard were a bit tired that night.
Two days later the bedtime questioning was back on topic. And both man and boy were a little more on the ball. 'Why don't you grow a beard here (points to forehead)?'. 'Why don't you?'. 'Because I'm a boy'.
I laughed. I think Elder Son won that one.