It just has to be tough to have geeky parents (I hear my husband saying ‘speak for yourself’). No, really, we try so hard, too hard, and our poor children are doomed to geekhood. They need a dirty-rotten-uncle to keep things balanced.
The second day of 1st grade, I was having a pleasant dinner with my children. They were asking all sorts of questions, as usual, and we meandered over to the subject of poop. It is a weighty topic for the 3 to 6 year old set. They wanted to know where poop goes when you flush.
It is a good question, and not the first time that they asked. I explained the sewer system. I explained sewage treatment plants. I explained that, ultimately, it becomes earth again and is great fertilizer for plants.
“Plants eat poop?”
“Good thing you aren’t a tree, huh?” I said.
“Gross, Mom!” (Every once in awhile, you need to get a “Gross, Mom!” just to make sure you aren’t too much of a nerd).
We had covered all of this before. Finally, I told them that we also benefit from what the trees don’t need. They give of carbon dioxide . . . I went on . . . .
“So, I guess you could say that we breathe tree farts.” Yes, I really said that. Seems even more ridiculous to actually write it, trust me.
They looked at me. No laughter. No “Gross Mom!” I was thinking that I really missed the boat this time. Come on, that HAS to be funny to a six year old. I’m not that lame.
“What’s a fart, Mom?”
Factoid: Today would be my great aunt’s birthday. If she were still with us, she would be 110 years old.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
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7 comments:
Mmm... Nothing like a breath of clean, fresh tree farts.
I am truly laughing aloud in my kitchen and kinda hoping conversation will have it that I might pull out that explanation at the dinner table tonight...
That's amazing that he didn't know what a fart was. I will never think the same of carbon dioxide.
And remember how we were talking about the word verification down below? You have it on yours. Once I figure out how to get rid of it, I will let you know. :)
I hope you explained what a fart is. Most people find anything about farts funny.
I like that - "We breathe tree farts.” I shall be repeating that to anyone who will listen.
badass - You should be in marketing. I would buy that as an air freshener!
jessica - I'm glad I'm not having dinner at your place.
indy - I know, isn't it crazy? How can you be a six year old boy and not know the word fart? Unbelievable!
scatterbrain - Yes, I did explain what a fart is. He really deserves to know the word. I did recommend, though, that he not use it at school. I explained that he ought to know the word, though, just in case he hears it in conversation. I'm sure he took it under advisement . . . .
Indy - Yes, do let me know about the word verification thing. I have so much to learn on these fronts. I'm always open to help.
Oh my, I thought we were the only family that had these conversations. When my husband and I were dating, he actually took me on a tour of the waste treatment plant where he worked. Ahh, Geek romance!
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