Recently, I was describing to someone over the phone, a scene drawn on my driveway.
It was a scene drawn by my 10 year old.
See, I had taken my children to the dollar store.
They each carried one prized dollar in their hands
and were allowed to buy anything they wanted.
On this particular trip,
my 10 year old bought 2 huge pieces of chalk.
Now we have plenty of sidewalk chalk but these were GIGANTIC.
The 'scene' he drew was not a picture in the true sense
It was a series of algebraic/quadratic equations.
(I tried to take a picture but it didn't turn out well)
As I was describing this scene, the person asked
"Doesn't he do anything for fun".
You see this person did what a lot of people in this world do.
They try to make others fit in a box.
A box defined by schools/people/whoever
in order to make themselves feel comfortable.
Now, my ire was up but I did not let it rear it's ugly head.
(Don't act so surprised)
Rather, I stated "That is fun for him"
Left to his own devices, he is likely to do things like this.
When not being told to 'follow the company line',
he seeks out knowledge, especially related to science and math.
That is WHO HE IS.
That IS fun!
Yes he has other interests.
Yes he has friends.
Yes he fits in just fine in school type settings.
But when he is being true to himself,
He is a Geek.
He's cool with that label too.
The Purpose of this Post?
My advice to this person, to myself, to others is:
Quit trying to make kids be what you think they should be.
Instead, just let them be.
Let them find who they are.
Don't make them feel out of place because you don't have a box defined in which they fit.
Let Them Be!
(on a side note, I may not be nice the next time. Fair Warning.)
