The Boy Teacher and The Father Student; What IS Good Or Bad?

What is good or bad? That is hilarious and perplexing at the same time. We are scratching our head trying to come up with good or bad people. Good or bad things they might do really does not make them good or bad. My buddy Dan Smith judges not. Yet he deals with good and bad people. I generally am loving, but my wife says I do good and bad stuff. My young son does good and bad stuff. Maybe I am a loser as I think good or bad stuff are basically the same.

B: Dad why do you yell at me?

F: Because I am Irish. We just yell like your mom Vietnamese.

B: So if I yell that is not bad?

F: Try to tone it down outside of the house, but yes, around here yelling is normal. It has to do with culture and tonal and non-tonal languages and passion. It just is.

B: So when you and mom yell at each other you are not mad?

F: Son I honestly cannot remember the last time I was mad at your mom. That might be strange. She does what she does. In the end what she does is good and not bad. It just works out alright.

B: That makes no sense at all. You get angry with me.

F: No way buddy I get mad at what you might do, but never mad at you. That is why I like action movies. You can scream at what the guy does, but maybe he does it for the right reason. That is so fun. You are always asking if he is a good guy or a bad guy.

B: I have friends that are bad dad. I know it. The way they are is bad. Like bullies I think.

F: I get you buddy, I really do. But at fourth grade what might make them bully? Because they are mean inside? Does being mean come from the outside?

B: Ha ha ha ha! I got you. I remember what you said about the Rattlesnake. N&N and F&F. See I can beat you.

F: Hey boy do you remember what that means? I mean the words they mean?

B: I think if we fight or runaway and if our parents teach us right.

F: You scare me son. I think I just might runaway.

Once again I went too far in talking with him. How does a nine year old remember just casual conversations about life? I just throw out gibberish but he gets it and spits it back out. I better take it easy. Here is an example of problems.

B: Dad what were you reading last night while I was playing my video games.

F: Sorry. Buddy Sometimes I actually read out loud because it helps me remember. And don’t even ask why.

B: OK, but it sounded like you were talking about a house and people having a seat in it and that you were a president.

F: How do you do that while you are playing on your thing and listen at the same time?

B: Dad that is like school. Sometimes you have to do something while someone is talking.

F: So what was I reading smarty pants?

B: I don’t know.

F: OK so why was I a president?

B: Because you met mom in Vietnam when you were working there. Something about dealing with other places. And you have to be a president to do that.

F: Whoa kid that is interesting but maybe correct in a way.

F: So what about a house and a seat?

B: Something about where some people live to help us.

F: Wow that is cool too. Anything else?

B: No just – mumble mumble.

F: Maybe we talk about my book some other time. Eat your food.

B: It is that big fat one next to your chair.

F: Son you go “too far too fast”.

B: Big deal! What is the book about?

F: Well it is about a bunch of stuff but what I was reading is called the Constitution because I am strange.

B: I know that dad – duh. So what is that?

F: Good question.

B: So what was that about a house and a seat?

F: Just say you can get invited to the House but the big boys and girls get a seat at the table. Clearly more complicated. But for another time.

B: Ok, so were you president?

F: That part is about deals with the whole United States not really about small companies like mine was.

B: You are right that is too much. Worse than my chapter books for school. Boring!

F: I agree, that is why normal people do not read that gobaldey gook.

I have no idea of when to teach civics and the constitution to a child. I just do not. He has enough to do with school, Bible studies and learning a second language. That is enough I figure. Not to mention sports and just in general messing around. Learning how to cook and do chores takes up even more time.

With that said I would figure he will continue to ask about it and why I read such boring stuff. Such is life. Now we move on to our last week. When he was much younger we did not even allow wooden pistols in the house. Well a whole bunch has changed.

F: What heck? Mom bought you a battery powered Nerf rifle?

B: Yes and I am going to beat you with it.

F: No way can you beat my Gatling gun. And let’s not forget to wear glasses this time. We will put an eye out. No intentional head shots and nothing to do with “down there”.

B: You are going to lose so bad it will be sad.

F: But you run and hide in your room so it gets boring. No office or kitchen and no locking yourself in a room.

B: OK I promise – hihihi

F: Then on ten let the battle begin.

(The nerf “bullets” really don’t hurt. But losing does)

B: Dad no ripping off my armor. If I have a blanket on you cannot pull it off.

F: I do not agree to that. I never wear armor.

B: That is because you are too big to get it around you. Ha Ha.

F: Yes, but I can kick your small but to hell and back.

I am just putting on shoes to go out. Gabe is eating cereal and fresh fruit with low fat milk. I figure Blueberries and Strawberry. I am not allowed to get into that. Mom rules that part but whole grain oats are the deal. And the little devil loads up on me and shoots me hard ten times. Now that is just wrong. LoL.

But there is so much peace here it is scary. We are doing planning for our “Mallow” forts. Actually clubhouses. He wants one of his own this year. If I do it right I can let the plants up to 6 feet and about 5 feet out.

But in the best time you can hide in there and no-one can see you. Way too much fun.

We have some serious issues around here. Well let me take that back.

F: Son did you know your mom went to the Emergency Room the other night.

S: Dad, I am not stupid. But she came home just fine. She just needs you to drive her.

F: Just what do you worry about boy?

B: Nothing at all, except tests. Mom says everything is for a reason.