When I’m sitting back watching my kid figure stuff out for himself, and he’s enjoying himself figuring stuff out for himself, don’t feel like you have to come over, take control and show us stupid people how it all works.
Although, the two and a half year old giving someone else’s grandfather the Look* was nearly worth it.
* you know, the one that says “you may be old but I’m clearly smarter”.
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May 28, 2009 at 11:29 am
kel
hehe. sometimes i feel a bit too hands off coz i really enjoy watching them do the learning and exploring stuff for themselves. Good on the kid for havin the look at 2 and a half! may it be well cultivated!
May 28, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Ariane
Heh. I reckon a great mark of successful parenting is that the lad responded with the Look, and not quiet acquiescence.
May 28, 2009 at 12:18 pm
innercitygarden
Three separate people (one of them a staff member, which surprised me, because the museum staff are usually fantastic) interrupted him doing what he was supposed to be doing – learning, trying stuff out and drawing conclusions – to give him the answers, and spoil the fun. All while I was clearly supervising him, so not only were they spoiling his fun, they were trying to tell me that I was clearly either a crappy parent, or too stupid to read the instructions.
People who offer a little help when a kid is looking frustrated, when the parent/s have their hands full, or if the kid is doing something unsafe, are fabulous. I love people who interact with kids who aren’t their own to share their enjoyment of the activity too, but none of the above was the case. These were just people who saw me and my kid being perfectly happy and safe and thought they should come across the room to stick their nose in.
May 28, 2009 at 1:35 pm
frog
They may be similar to the people who start talking about choice of secondary school at some considerable length, with their nearly secondary school aged child next to them, and not once refer to the child’s opinion or interests. Doctor’s waiting rooms can be so much fun.
May 28, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Stomper Girl
You should email the museum with this feedback, they are the sort of organisation that ought to take it on board.
May 28, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Cristy
Whenever Lily starts singing a song to adults they take over and sing loudly over the top of her. I can never understand this. She tends to just stop singing and walk away…
It’s a strange compulsion to be in control, I think.