My son and I had a conversation a few weeks back that went a little something like this.
Him: “Did you know that, if it’s hot crocodiles are girls and if it’s cold crocodiles are boys?”
Me: “I don’t think that’s how it works. If you’re a boy you’re a boy and if you’re a girl you’re a girl.”
Him: “No, listen I’m trying to teach you something.”
Me: “Don’t get smart. I’m not going to argue about it.”
This went on for a few more exchanges until he got frustrated and walked away. I chuckled about it for a day or so—crocodiles becoming girls or boys depending on the temperature. That kid sure has some imagination.
The following Sunday I shared the story with a friend of mine and was laughing when I noticed my friend (who is an environmental officer) wasn’t laughing. “Well, to tell you the truth, he’s right.”
This is the part where I acquired some significant learning. You see, apparently the temperature in the nest does indeed determine the sex of the crocodiles in said nest. I spent the rest of the morning trying to decide how I was going to apologize to my son.
I walked away from this experience having discovered three things.
- We need to give more credit to preschoolers for what they can learn. And, they can teach us too.
- It’s good for my son to understand that even as adults we make mistakes and need forgiveness (especially from them from time to time). My influence as a parent is even greater when I show that I’m not perfect.
- I might need to watch a little more PBS, and then I’d know some cool facts about crocodiles too.
What has a preschooler taught you lately?