I’m not going to get away BS-ing this one…

We ran into Ariel’s teacher over the holidays, and she took the opportunity to tell us how he’s doing in her class so far. She said that emotionally he is quite obviously one of the youngest (he’s actually THE youngest), that his immaturity does show at times, that there’s a group of younger kids that gravitate toward each other and are more of a challenge. “But he’s so bright that you couldn’t hold him back,” she assured us. “His questions are so sharp and thoughtful that sometimes I’m afraid to call on him in case I can’t answer them.”

Of course, every now and then I treat him like the emotional, barely-five-year-old he is, assuming I can get something by him, and am reminded of just this trait when he goes all Law student on me. Like yesterday:

“Mommy, Ariel KEEPS calling me mean names! Stuff we’re not allowed to say! DO something!”
“Ariel, seriously, from now on every time you call Elan a name you’re going to have to pay me.”
“But I don’t have any money!”
“You’ll have to work for me, do jobs to get money, and then pay me.
“If you’re the one paying me, then I’d be giving you right back your own money. So how does that actually help you and punish me at ALL?”

Later that night, he calls to me from his bed:

“Mommy!!!”
“Yes?”
“Do I ask you for a drink in my bed every single night? Yes, I FINK I do. Do I have a drink on my table right now? NO I FINK I DON’T. So can I have a drink please?!”

And over yom tov:

“Ariel, go get dressed.”
“You get me dressed!”
“You’re five. That’s old enough to get dressed by yourself.”
“But you said you would get me dressed. You PROMISED.”
“I said no such thing!”
“Mommy. I wasn’t born yesterday, okay? I remember you telling me that.”

More of a challenge, indeed.

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