Math and Mother’s Day

Let’s see if I can accurately capture tonight’s dialog.

The scene:

Bed Time after Long but Good Day (soccer, park, backyard, snacks, sunshine, etc)

CHILD:    I have allergies and I’ve been to get a tissue a hundred times and my legs are tired and my eyes are tired and I’m sleepy and I’m exhausted and everybody is having fun but me [pause.] And you’re being mean to me and I’m not happy!

[He storms into bathroom and returns to bed.]

ME:        I’m sorry you’re not feeling well. I hope you feel better in the morning.

CHILD:    I won’t! I won’t ever feel better in the morning!

[He pushes face into pillow.]

FADE IN.

ME:        Good night. Love you.

[Note: Child does not have allergies.]

CHILD:    Grumble, sigh, hiss.

Well, Mother’s Day Eve has concluded. Truthfully, this scene is unusual. Late afternoon crankiness is definitely expected, but just before bedtime usually involves books, snuggles and songs.

Being rather tired myself right now, I consider the impact of such a busy and sunshiny-day on a five-year-old.

If there was a formula that would result in the behavior of my child it must be something like this:

Star at the Center of the Solar System Shines Brightly in a City that is Unused to Sunshine + Boy + Soccer Game with Big Kids + Dad as Coach + My Nana Leaves After Spending A Week with Me + Hot Dogs on the Grill + Backyard Soccer Game + Becoming Really Mad when Younger Brother Chooses Muppets to Watch as Evening Movie = Really, Really Unhappy Kid.

Squared. Or times two. Or four. Whatever. I never did like math.

My mother spent the past week with us and taught Miles how to take away, or subtract. We practiced tonight, and it’s clear that though the practice is somewhat baffling as to how it works, she was successful.

Albert Einstein stated that “as far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain; and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality.”

Goodnight, dear readers.

Wishing all the mother readers a most beautiful Mother’s Day.

We wouldn’t be here without you.

Credit: http://www.californiakindergartenassociation.org/kindergarten-math/