Do we get to blame his behavior on “Just being a 6 year old boy”?

This past week we have had some behavioral issues with The Boy. Nothing huge and nothing tragic but still some stuff that has gotten him in trouble. But I have heard more times than not “He is a 5 year old boy. What do you expect?”

What do I expect?

I expect him to respect a substitute teacher…he knows better
I expect him to not stand up on the school bus…he knows better
I expect him to treat his friends with respect…he knows better
I expect him to be quiet when it is asked of him…he knows better

The Boy is truly one of the best kids - and that is not just coming from me, his mother. We have been told by daycare teachers, other parents, coworkers, etc. that he is a really polite, kind, considerate kid. And we know this! But there are times that his behavior irritates both of us.

But nothing irritates me more than hearing that this is just him being “a 5 year old boy”. So what happens when he turns 6? And 7? And 8?

Are we just going to keep hearing the same thing? That “X” behavior is just because he is “X” age? I am sure that we will but you know what? That will still be unacceptable to me.

No matter what his age, he knows the rules and he knows to follow them. Do I expect him to be perfect? Absolutely not! But using his age as an excuse or a crutch is not going to work in this house!

OK actually I am hunting for a Carrot Cake Cupcake recipe but since I have been up since 4am (thank you QD), I am a bit more punchy than normal — which means I am much more cheezy than normal

The Boy has asked for Carrot Cake Cupcakes for his birthday. And I know that I can make a mean Carrot Cake but sometimes cake with “stuff” in it doesn’t always translate well into the smaller cakes. Sometimes they end up more dry than I like…So I am off and Googling!

Of course my kind child says that we can’t just bring the Carrot Cake ones b/c some kids may not like them so I am having to make Chocolate and Vanilla too! Oh joy!

The Boy was born asking questions! I really do swear that the kid started asking questions from the womb!

Both Irish Boy and I applaud this and never dissuade him! Which is how months ago I ended up having to answer “But what do we do if our soldier dies?”

So now of course it is “Mommy who are you voting for?”

I have no problem answering this question but I am often bothered by children that just regurgitate what they have heard from their parents! Parents that force their views - political, religious, etc. - onto their children - without explaining or letting the children come to their own conclusions drive me nuts!

Yes, I know he is young and I know that we need to instill ethics, beliefs, etc. in him but there is a point of going too far! (The Boy was a forced Catholic as a child and that did nothing but harm)

So here I am stuck wanting to explain and answer all his questions but without seeming like I am preaching to him. I keep hoping that I am succeeding!

Where is this all coming from you may ask? The kids at school! My son was told today that he is ignorant and doesn’t like black people because his mom isn’t voting for Obama.

The ignorant part he didn’t get and I had to figure out how to explain it! But the “doesn’t like black people because his mom isn’t voting for Obama,” yeah he got that! And I had to try and explain how voting does not equal like or dislike based on sex, race, religion, sexuality, etc. - at least not in my house!

So can we please go back to “Why do the leaves change colors?” That is a question I can Google and get a definitive answer for!

Next time I need to listen to my mom when she says that this parenting gig is not easy!