We went to the park this morning. Caleb is in afternoon kinder. It was a dreadfully hot day so most of the kids were playing in the water feature. All of the kids were tiny - shirtless toddlers in diapers. Caleb was by far the biggest kid there. So he was at the water feature all of three seconds before he ran off, obviously upset, to the other side of the park, where he just moped. I could not figure what I or anyone had done to make him so upset. So I went to go talk to him and ask him what the matter was. "I can't go play in the water," he explained. I told him that of course he could. "But I'm not allowed to! " he protested. I thought he meant I didn't want him getting wet, so I assured him that he could change before school if he got wet. He said, "I'm not allowed to because the water is just for babies." I told him that that wasn't true, and pointed out that the mommies were playing in the water too, not just babies. "It's only for mommies and babies," he insisted, "but not teen-age-ers." This was said in an ironic tone, that sounded pretty teenagerish, actually.
"So?" I said, not quite getting his point, "you're not a teenager. Go play."
"I KNOW I am not a teenager, but everybody THINKS I am a teenager!"
I had to laugh out loud. "Hon-ey, you might be big for your age, but NOBODY thinks you are a teenager."
He is five, granted a gigantic five, but looks all of seven, tops.
He just started crying. "EVERYBODY thinks I am a teenager. Those moms do, and they don't want me to play with their little kids. They think I'm a teenager, and nobody likes teenagers!"
Poor little guy. There was nothing I could say to convince him that he really didn't pass for a teenager, and my amusement really wasn't very amusing to him. He was convinced that everyone thought he looked like a teenager, and nothing I said could convince him otherwise.
We ended up leaving the park... and his childhood ... behind him.
Have compassion. We all know adolescence is tough, but it especially rough when you are only five.
6 comments:
Whoa! Wait a minute! He's growing up too fast as it is, we don't need to speed up the process. I love that kid, and I don't think there is anything more entertaining than a few minutes in conversation with Caleb. You could write a best seller book--Conversations with Caleb. He has an amazing mind. The more serious he gets, the funnier he is. I got a real chuckle out of this one.
That boy is so funny. We always joke that Brynn actss like a teenager but she's never worried about being mistaken for one. He is one clever little kid.
I heard his worry first hand and you depicted it perfectly. I hoped you would post about this.
That is so funny. Poor little guy.
who needs daughters when there is plenty of drama to go 'round with these little BOYS?!?! Caleb is hilarious!
Thank you for sharing that. He's such a cute & funny little guy. I was looking for a laugh & cute little Caleb gave me one. Thank you! I'm sure it's hard being 5!
I just love him though. He calls me the Disneyland lady since we saw you all there that time. Ever since he was in tots, he's always said "hi" to me when we pass. So cute!
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