Friday Two Cents: Growing up too Fast

I had an interesting exchange with the children about what I was wearing today.

It began in the kindergarten class today around lunchtime.  The children were sitting having their lunch and I had just arrived from my break, where I had changed into a dress shirt and tie.  I had a job interview that afternoon because I am currently doing supply or part-time and the interview was from a full-time position next school year.  I had booked the afternoon off and was just about to leave but I wanted to make sure that the children had finished their lunch and dressed for the snow before I did.

Well their immediate response was, “Mr. G why do you have a tie on?”, “Why are you wearing a tie.”, “Why are dressed nice?” or “Why do you look good?”  But my personal favorite was from an exchange between a boy and girl.  He asked, “Are you going to a funeral?” then she responded with conviction, “No.  He’s going on a date.”  When I heard that I was surprised to say the least.

I was wearing a black shirt and silver tie and the boy’s respond was very smart.  But the little girls’ response was full of conviction as if an older person and not a 5-year-old said it.  I told them both that I had an appointment and they accepted it and we all moved on to getting dressed.

The children got dressed and I left for the interview, yet on the way to the interview I had to think about the little girls response.  She was so small and yet sounded so grown up.  I guess I have to let go of the fact these children are not simple little kids, that they are growing up and ar e far more perceptive at this age that many of us were.

I just wish they weren’t growing up so fast.  I still would like to think that these kids still have that childhood innocence about them.  They probably do, perhaps I have to remember that old saying, ‘out of the mouth of babes’.  Maybe their innocence was showing.