Saturday, May 10, 2008

I knew it would eventually happen.....


My grandson was over yesterday for a bit. He was thumbing through a magazine while I finished up paying a bill online. He said to me:
GS: Grandma?
Me: hmmmm?
GS: Do you know what a Circadian Rhythm is?
Me: (blinking a couple times and trying to rewind my brain) a what honey?
GS: A Circadian Rhythm.
Me: (knowing that I have heard the term before but can't put my finger not only on WHERE but a definition for it) Ah, it sounds familiar but I can't think off the top of my head right now what it is.....why?
GS: Well, its a sleep rhythm and I'm doing research into it for my project at school.
Me: That sounds intriguing . What is your project? (I am sure I saw his shoulders 'square up' a bit)
GS: Well, I'm arguing that school should start later in the day because teenagers are programmed by their Circadian Rhythm to sleep later and they are at their best later in the day. Even teachers are aware of this and that's why in the first two hours of school they really don't get on to you if you happen to fall asleep in class.
Me: (feeling certain he must have first hand knowledge of falling asleep in class) Don't you think that these rhythms could be altered if teenagers would simply get to bed earlier?
GS: Not really. Who wants to go to sleep when its still daylight outside (because of daylight saving time).
Me: Well, what about the teachers? Don't you think they should be at their best also? How can they effectively teach a class if the "adult" rhythms are programmed to be their best earlier in the day?
GS: I have to do more research but I'm confident I can find a good argument for that too.

I knew it would happen eventually.....that one day soon he would ask me a question that I didn't have the answer to. Part of me is glad....its as it should be, I guess. Our future depends on our children and we want them to be more knowledgeable than we are. The other part of me feels like he may not have as much respect for me since "I'm slipping". I wonder if I can find an effective way to "stall" him when he asks me something I don't know the answer to long enough for me to run and google it. That same day, later on, feeling he was on a roll....he asked me if I knew how to do algebra. I don't. I never had to take it in school and never felt the need to use it. He whipped out a pencil and begain to show me a sample problem. The smile on my face was wide....God, I'm proud of him.

20 comments:

Andrew said...

I so enjoyed reading this. Kids ARE our future. You're a great grandmom.

Anonymous said...

seems you got a really smart grandson there...better have that internet and google ready for future questions! LOL

Mama Llama said...

Heh heh, that IS cute, Val!!

I'm just stopping in to wish one of my favorite Moms a VERY HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! I learn so much from you and appreciate and respect all you do in your upbringing of the younger generations in your family. Congratulations, and have a wonderful and blessed day!

--mapi

Brad said...

Thank you Love! I needed a little hope today - The next generation will be alright. Don't worry about 'slipping' we have/had to go through with it with our parents - it's inevitable. HUGS!

Brad said...

I won't wish you a happy mother's day - but I will send you a coy look and blow you a kiss - sweetheart. Happy Day!

SOUL said...

hmmm... i suggest you get a laptop-- FAST-- it is all that saves me when my too smart for her own good.. atacks me with these kinds of things---

google has saved my butt many a time in such situaltions..

the most recent being-- believe it or not-- was to prove who was right, between her and her boyfriend..
the question.. in which she thought she was right
was NOT the answer i thought-- or the answer her "wyatt" thought either-- but wouldn't ya know-- soulman actually knew! (well, he was close enough)

but we googled it anyways--

"what is gelatin made from"?


i THOUGHT... pig fat ! feeling confident in my answer.

soulman said pig knuckles

the google answer?

boiled bones, skins and tendons of animals.

makes ya want some jell-o right NOW doesn't it??

well.. i hope ya don't read this too early-- at least get your coffee down first :))

happy mothers day charlotte !

Jenny said...

I was going to say the same thing; GOOGLE!

But mostly, I came by to wish you a very happy Mother's Day.

:-)

Mary said...

I rather like moving from teacher to student. I've learned some amazing things from fresh prespectives. Sounds like your grandson is beginning debate. If he becomes a member of a debate team hold on to your hat. The ride will be wild!

Golden To Silver Val said...

Andrew ~ thank you for that wonderful compliment.

jyankee ~ Yes, LOL, he's often too smart for his own good. I used to be right much more often years ago...I don't think the answers have changed...just the questions!

mapi ~ you always say the nicest things to me. Thank you so much!

Brad ~ thank you for the blown kiss. Nearly killed myself catching that one, but I got it! LOL

Soul ~ ewwwwww. Just what I DIDN'T want to know. Good thing I was never a big fan of it. I am a woman who prefers more substance in her food...like PIE! Thank you for the wish and I send it right back atcha.

Anon Boxer ~ thank you very much, dear friend.

Mary ~ OMG, does this boy LOVE to argue! Maybe being a debater will help him vent it. LOL

Jamie said...

Good heavens - what a smart kid he is...and like you, I would have been sunk on that answer, as well. They are growing them smarter these days, its all the preservatives, lol.

Have a good week.

:)

Anonymous said...

this is why I'm glad we have the internet. I can't tell you the number of times I've looked something up that would have taken me at least a week of researching at the library to find the answer, before the PC.

Your grandson sounds like a smart cookie, hope he keeps that curiosity!

The Real Mother Hen said...

Circadian Rhythm?!
Wow, I haven't even heard of the term! :)

I've to confess though, I can't even answer those questions on the program "Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?"

I am NOT :)

Moohaa said...

Smart little cookie you have there Grandma! I'd also heard of the Circadian Rhythm, but couldn't remember what the heck it was. Bring on the smart kids! It is so needed these days.

CRUSTY MOM-E said...

that is too cute!! I've never heard of that term, the circadian rhythm...but I like his thought process...how cute.
He trumped Grandma!! :)

Hope you had a nice Mothers day!!
Always,
Elizabeth

Karen said...

That boy will go far with such a curious mind but then look at the gene pool he comes from :)

Just be glad he didn't ask you what oral sex is like my daughters did just last week. I was driving at the time and almost ran off the road.

I know this is very late Val but I hope you had a fantastic Mother's Day and that all these legal issues are behind you soon.

SOUL said...

just checkin on ya-- got coffee on?
mines cold...
happy tuesday--

SOUL said...

got jello?
:))
how bout circadian rhythm (?)
(i still am not sure wth that is. :))

dontcha think it's time for a new post? whatchya been up to?

how are ya?

is your bathroom done? where's the pics? did i miss it?

happy humpday-
and thanks for the sweet comment yest...
bye

Maria said...

I love the internet. When my daughter was researching a native american tribe, it was so great to not have to heave all those books home from the library....

And you know, that does sound like an interesting paper.

Mama Llama said...

Another thought I had...

Dude, Val! My 6 year old is already stumping me!!! You are OBVIOUSLY way farther ahead of the game than I am...

Last night's question: Do the patterns on a moth's wing perfectly match the other wing like they do on a butterfly's wing?

Seriously--future entymologist here. She's 6.

Smiles, Val. Be well.

ac said...

I smiled when I read this...

Google just happens to be one of my very best friends. ac