I can justify pretty much anything. Want dessert after dinner? Well sure you should, think of all the restaurant workers, the cook, the waitstaff, the cleaners, whose VERY JOBS you are keeping alive and well by ordering dessert.
Want another new pair of brown sandals? Even though you already own three pair? Well of course you should. Otherwise, think of all the people who will suffer ... the workers who make the shoes, the truck driver who delivers the shoes to the shoe store, and even the sales person who sells you the shoes.
Obviously, I am a big believer in trickle-down economics.
If I choose to answer e-mail instead of do laundry, it's because I have a responsibility to my friends to stay in contact. Nobody likes a person who just drops off the face of the earth. And if I choose to read the latest Jodi Piccoult book instead of cook dinner for my family, well, I'm actually doing them a favor. Children need to learn independence, and what better way for them to be proud of themselves than breaking out the pb&j and feeding themselves???
See, I can justify pretty much anything.
This morning, I was in Kellen's classroom helping his teacher while the kids were discussing an assignments about NEEDS vs. WANTS. The teacher had each kid cut pictures out of the Sunday paper sale ads, of one want item, and one need item. Then each child had to tell the class what their two items were, and why.
Two boys said they NEEDED big screen tv's in their bedroom, because they needed to watch their own shows without having to share with their family. One boy said he needed a new gaming system because his old system broke. And one girl said she needed new video games because her old ones were boring. In the world of justifiable answers, I'm sorry, those are just weak. Inside, I scoffed at their answers.
Then it was Kellen's turn. His want item? A game system; no surpise there. His NEED item? A new cell phone.
The teacher asked him, in front of the class, why was a new cell phone a NEED? And he replied: "Because it's very important for us to learn to communicate properly."
And as a single tear of happiness trickled down my cheek, I realized, proudly, that my son got my justification genes, after all. The force is with him.
Woe to his father's visa card.
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19 comments:
That's certainly not a recessive gene in my family.
Go Kellen!
I love,love,love Jodi Picoult! I just finished her latest... 19 Minutes, which was really ironic since the whole Virginia Tech incident has happened. I have about 5 of her books I have already read, so let me know and I'll swap you some.
I also can justify any purchase...I'm thinking of the economy in the U.S. at all times! Take care.
Don't you kids just make you proud sometimes?! I remember when my oldest was about 4, he had taken a small toy from his daycare. Although I was of course not happy that he had stolen something, no matter how small, from his daycare, I couldn't help but be a little bit impressed, too. I kept asking him questions about where he had gotten it trying to make him admit he had stolen it, but that little bugger had an answer for every single question. He said that he got it at a garage sale that daddy had taken him to even though it was raining and they had just gone really quick & just bought this one toy. He was almost believable, except for the fact thay my husband does not go to garage sales...ever. I was somewhat impressed, and at the same time worried that if he could keep up lies this well at the age of 4, I was in big trouble when he's a teenager!
I would like to also add that a cell phone is a safety issue, in an emergency he would be able to call for help. This would help him and his fellow citizens. See- I myself am a justifier. Kathy from Pa
Oh that was a priceless post! haha totally had me laughing
Justifying things like that definitely takes skill...kudos mama for passing it on.
I love it! lol! He's a kid after my own heart!
Trish
Leesburg, VA
What a BRILLIANT child! LOL!!! The newest Jodi Picoult is AWESOME. I love, love, love her!
Amy
www.caringbridge.org/visit/gerryheidt
OMG, I have never laughed so hard reading how you got to this point... I got your site from Stephanie's site... and had to nose around...
got a good chuckle, that's for sure! Thanks for the laughs and glad to know your mom is up and around again!
Donna - lost in Georgia - former Utah'n for a while... and all sorts of other places...
It is important that children learn to fend for themselves. :-}
I enjoyed your post.
I found you through Amy's Random Thoughts' scavenger hunt.
It's OK, I prioritized the new Jodi Picoult over feeding the cat, emptying the cat's litter box, and cooking dinner for two days. The cat was very happy when I finished the book!
Kudos to Kellen for the good common-sense answer, too!
LOL Kristie- Ahhh.... how our kids make us proud. I am so impressed by your "trickle-down" philosophy, that I think that I will adhere to it on my next shopping trip!!!!!!
Loved this post. I'm glad I picked your blog from the list on Amy's sidebar. I'm changing that negative-sounding rationalization word for the more positive justification.
Kellen is so smart!
Hi Kristie!
I've been reading your blog for awhile now, but never gotten around to commenting. I just wanted to say hello & let you know how much I enjoy reading your blog. I laugh outloud every time I visit - my husband thinks I'm nuts. I promise to comment a little more frequently :)
What a smart little man you are raising there.. you must be so proud!!
Kids are so funny. My 16 yearold said she doesn't understand why she has to have a job... why can't I just give her $20 when she asks for it, like her friends parents do? "Well, park your car, we'll sell it." Of course that wasn't the response she wanted.
It really is scary to add up what we pay for telephone and cell phone bills though. As always, I love reading your blog!
Ok, there is no way I'm letting Madison read this journal entry or she will be using that very same justification on me. She's been begging for a cell phone for about a year now and we've told her that when we feel she "needs" one, then we will get her one. Sigh. I'm guessing that middle school will finally do us in on that one at some point.
Are you reading Nineteen Minutes? That is by far a favorite of mine. I still think about parts of that book.
If not, which one are you reading?
YAY, I haven't talked to anyone who is reading Jodi Picoult ... I LOVE her books! The last book I read was 19 minutes. She has a great way of throwing in a spin at the end. If anyone wants to chat about her books ... let me know!
Jen
msrup3@aol.com
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