Friday, March 7, 2008

I Wonder What Kind of Parents We’ll Be

You’ll be the strict one, I say to him. What makes you think that? he asks mildly. I don’t know, I say, I just think you will. We’ll see, he says.

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We’re going camping on Memorial Day weekend, he says. Ok, I say. Better get him used to it early. This kid better like camping, my sister pipes up. And Boy Scouts. Or he’s going to have a pretty miserable life. We agree.

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I want this one, he declares with enthusiasm. Why, I ask, laughing. Look, he says – it’s got an octopus, and a shark, and a fish. It’s got stuff on it that he can look at while he’s in the crib. He can learn about under the sea animals. We can teach him about starfish. Ok, I say. We’ll get it. We should take him to a real aquarium, when he’s old enough. Yes, he says. That’ll be fun.

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Um, that’s got some pretty garish colors. I know, I say, but look – this thing spins, and that thing sproings, and this thing over here has a mirror. It’s a learning toy. It’s huge, he protests, it will take up our whole living room, and be, well, garish. I say, you aren’t gonna care so much when you can’t think straight because he won’t stop getting into things. This is a good way to trap him, keep him occupied. It’ll be a lifesaver, trust me. Ok, he reluctantly agrees, and what’s this about getting into things? They don’t crawl til they’re, like, two years old, right?

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If we live in a state with a good public university, I hope he wants to go there, he says. Should we start a college fund, I ask? Should we, he asks? Let’s google it and see. “College+Costs+Class+of+2026” Wow. I need a drink. Me, too. Have enough of ‘em now, he says, and we won’t have to worry about him being smart enough to go to college. Oh, yeah. Good plan.

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I day dream about him all the time, I sigh. Getting a first look, seeing what he looks like. Also, holding him when he’s two and sweaty-browed and sleeping. Teaching him to read when he’s four. Sending a postcard to his summer camp when he’s a little older. I don’t really think about that much, he says. It hasn’t totally hit me yet. Ah well, I remark, you don’t have the constant physical reminder. That’s true. Anyway, I say, I wonder who he’ll look like? You, he says. You, I say.

4 comments:

MSO Rin said...

[Tears plopping softly on keyboard]
That's the sweetest post I've ever read.
[sniff sniff]
I wish I were near you right now to have a leaning-over-so-I-don't-squish-him-between-us big ol' hug.

I know what kind of parents you'll be.

FANTASTIC.

super jane said...

"If we live in a state with a good public university, I hope he wants to go there, he says. Should we start a college fund, I ask? Should we, he asks? Let’s google it and see. “College+Costs+Class+of+2026” Wow. I need a drink. Me, too. Have enough of ‘em now, he says, and we won’t have to worry about him being smart enough to go to college. Oh, yeah. Good plan."

damn, why didn't i think of that?

lesliek said...

well, I am here to let y'all know, its not as horrible as you think (college costs) Start young and just raise 'em all to be geniuses. Scholarships girls!!! its the way to go! I am in the midst of getting my 18 year old baby ready to fly the coop (he is leaving me to go to Rhode Island to become a master of culinary arts, empty nest here I come... but I get a chef in return) He's a bit of an over achiever, and mom is web obsessed, we fire out two applications per week begging for the funds. Son #1 is almost done with college (Niagara University) and the school loans should be paid off by the time he is 25.

All you do is save your new friend's email address (that'd be me of course) and by the time you are ready, I will give you all my expert guidance, all for a really big glass of wine and girl bonding.

Its snowing so hard here today you can't even see. The accu-weather guy says its the 'mother of all storms' 2 feet by Saturday nite. I'm baking bread. woo hoo!

nice chatting w/ all of you. Enjoy those little babies , every single moment. Don't even blink your eyes, as before you know it, they are going to be grown up and out, and you will be scratching your head and saying 'how'd this happen so darn quick?"

Wicked M said...

You will be excellent parents, I have no doubt.

Hey, if you drink now he won't be able to crawl or go to college. All problems solved! :) Okay, maybe not.

Excellent parents. Just wanted to reiterate that.