Thursday, September 07, 2006

sweet sixteen

Being home the first week of school I imagined lots of meaningful conversations with my children as they arrived home from school to find freshly baked cookies and a clean kitchen. I should have known better.

My youngest is 14, home of the monosyllabic response. "Do you have a favorite class yet?" "No." "Do you have a least favorite class yet?" "No." He exits the kitchen, heading towards the computer to IM his friends, at least carrying a cookie.

It's not like this is the first time I've had a fourteen year old. Each time I've been saddened and worried by the lack of interaction. Somewhere between 15 and 16 we'll get back to full sentences, and I hate to wish time away, but I can't wait.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I thoroughly believe that they remove their brains when they enter middle school and give them back some time in high school. During the brainless time, I am lucky if I get a grunt to a question that should required a multi-sentece response. Unless, of course, the question is about a video game.

Sean---

Neil Wainwright said...

It comes back? Yes! My son is 13...World of Warcraft rules his non-school hours. I look forward to next year and high scool. :-)

Maureen said...

Ah, the all absorbing WOW. It rules the computer here, too. Trying to figure out what to do about that - at the moment, we've got the router regulating internet access hours on the kids' computer (despite the "but what if I need it for homework after midnight" plea).

But my 16 year old does speak in whole sentences (to us), at least when it's not his turn to play WOW, so there is hope!

Anonymous said...

Weren't we all like that too, once upon a time? ;-)