I have always been tenacious. I know, you all are shocked. When I was little, according to my mother, the term most used to describe me was precocious. You know, that doesn’t sound bad, when you break down the actual definition.
pre·co·cious/priˈkōSHəs/Adjective
1. (of a child) Having developed certain abilities or proclivities at an earlier age than usual.
2. (of behavior or ability) Indicative of such development
However, when people use that word to describe a child, usually there’s a certain…um…connotation indicative of that being a bad thing. They don’t know how to describe your child as overly exuberant politely, so they wince just barely enough for you to see it (you know around the eyes, or a slight crinkle in the nose as they look down it at you). They smile and say “She/He is so *insert pause as they struggle for the right wrong word* precocious.” They add a slight lilt to their voice and a soft chuckle or giggle and think that makes the insult sweeter.
I was willful and headstrong. I had to try things, not take for granted that what anyone said was factual. My mom and dad used to joke with each other that they needed to stay up late at night to read encyclopedias (aging myself there no?) to keep up with me. I had to know everything.
As a child having an insatiable thirst for answers and knowledge, carries with it a distain for anyone saying “Because I said so” or “That’s just the way it is”. You want to know “WHY?” In addition to wanting to know why, that seems to be the question you ask more than any other. As a child, it’s just what you have to ask. As an adult, it’s THE most annoying and often dreaded question ever.
I said more times than I can recall growing up that I would never use those answers as a parent. I loathed those responses. I wanted and needed to know why the answer was no. “Because I said so” was not an answer as far as I was concerned, it was a cop out. The answer was flippant. I asked questions in earnest and wanted a respectful answer. An answer that meant my question was heard, considered and replied to appropriately. That is not to say that I wouldn’t accept "no" as an answer. I did. I did often. I just wanted a reason why the answer was "no". Some validation, but "no" was acceptable.
The good Lord, in all his infinite wisdom has seen fit to bless me with the opportunity to learn many things as an adult and as a parent. Among those things is patience and humility. Neither of those were my strong suit prior to having children. He has a sense of humor too. Oh. Yes. He. Does!
For all my smarts and intellect, I am sometimes a REALLY slow learner. In order to teach me patience each one of my children came more headstrong than the last. My youngest son was sent to teach me humility. My mom laughs at me daily when I share with her my plight in parenting a gifted ADHD child who asks “why?” at every turn. My toddler has more attitude than any child I have ever met. She is smart, demanding and apparently here to teach me that I have not yet mastered patience or become humble enough.
Perhaps this is His way of saying "Because I said so" and "That's just the way it is."
Perhaps this is His way of saying "Because I said so" and "That's just the way it is."
