That was almost 14 years ago.
ASid has been a well behaved infant/toddler/(little/big/teenage)
boy ever since then. Other moms like(d) their kids to hang out with ASid. He
has been told that he is a smart kid for about a dozen years now. Couple of his
teachers recommended him for the gifted program in the school board. All this
has led to ASid believing that he must indeed be smart. This is perhaps his one
big fault; this is what has been identified as a tragic flaw in some
literary characters and many real "characters".
Obviously, as a parent, I worry about ASid. He has
used his smartness to argue his way out of several situations. It has worked
and sometimes, it hasn't. It definitely didn't work when he declared that many
teens around the world spend an average of 6 hours a day gaming on their
various devices. My harsh response to that was that their parents must be dead
or don't care!
A few weeks back, ASid declared that taking a shower
a day is way too much. His sidekick of a brother, Hans, agreed with him. Both
the boys presented it as an environmentally friendly option. Not taking a
shower is like saving water and we must not waste water. I decided to support
them provided they both wore clean underwear and clothes every day?! It was a
done deal. Quickest compromise in the history of Momley Moments!
Gods must have been on my side because a few days
later, ASid's face started breaking out! He refused to attribute it to a lack
of daily showers; he simply stated that he was going through puberty and that's
all there is to it. Who am I to disagree?!
A few more days later, ASid complained to me that I am
not providing the proper support he needs during his adolescence. How come his
face looks so terrible?! Perhaps I should buy him a bunch of products?! Well,
my response was water related and he walked away.
Finally, ASid agreed to "try my way". Within
3 days, his face was thankful. (Talking of which I have to thank my friend Y
for recommending lavender oil!) That's all it took - a good wash and a dab of
lavender oil. The side effects were that not only did ASid feel better than
before, he also smelled better than ever!
In 3 to 4 days, as my firstborn turns 14 and is off
to high school, I have this urge to sit him down and do my own version of To
thine own self be true! I do not have as much to say as Polonius, but a
couple of things I have always communicated to my children, I’d like to
reiterate - be kind to everyone and please don't be over smart. One of these
days, they will just be smart enough and to that end, I would like to add...
If thy armpit
doth smell, 'tis time for a wash.
