One of the best and most challenging things about teaching and having young children is explaining our silly ways to them. Come to think about it, young children are like aliens who have landed on this planet and are constantly asking why do you do this, what is that, why does this happen, how does this work?!
Many of these questions are things we as adults have learned to take for granted. I am sure we all asked the same questions when we were young aliens, but I guess we got used to not receiving a satisfactory answer, and so we stopped asking.
Why you like Halloween?
So the past two weeks I have been dancing around the “why do we celebrate Halloween” question. Somehow the Pagan explanation does not seem to satisfy my younger child.
It seems my answers are about traditions of the past regarding scaring away spirits, so do we still believe this way? Well no, but it is a celebration. A celebration of what? Dressing up and getting candy and having fun….
Superheros and Pirrrrates
Alright, if only you could see the superhero and pirate costumes this child has and wears weekly, and candy is nothing new to his life - so why do we celebrate Halloween?
To decorate the house! With scary monsters and pumpkins and bats. Some of that makes sense, fall celebration, but the monsters and the gore, well isn’t that bad? Yes, yes evil is bad. So why are we decorating our house with Freddy Kruger posters and skulls?
To sum up
I´m not sure about the rest of you, but I am now thoroughly confused about this holiday. And my plans for this evening are better then screaming around or running naked through the gym, unbelievable but true.
However you celebrate, I hope you have a happy Halloween. But don´t forget to look for the monsters in your pocket, and some underneath your bed!
Growing up there were certain phrases I never thought I’d have to tell another human being. That is, until I became the uncle of a toddler, not a parent. Now phrases cross my lips that in different company could be taken to be a pick-up line, sharing too much personal information or an insult to the listener’s mother. I’ll let you judge which are which.
“You can’t just go around sticking your finger in people’s noses.”
“Don’t touch that dog there.”
“Playing with your own feces is generally seen as a social faux pas.”
“Come sit on daddy’s lap.”
“Good job! Now wipe off your hands.”
“Don’t pull your pants down again!”
“That’s not what a pen is for.”
My special is still number 6, all who know me better, know what i mean! What makes me afraid is, that i met some peoples ( parents ) and when we talked or walked, their children came to me. It´s always the same procedure, first shy - and then in love. But, all meant together that i would be a great father, i can good with children, it´s lovely how i lighten up while playing with them.
It was nice to hear and made me embarrassed. And one important thing at last, for this mission i need help - ladies, your chance to comment for hire!
This parenting stuff is great. But drilling makes more fun actually.
My trip to London was successful and I’m already in the thick of things at work with site redesigns for StraightPool and my little sister´s Blog, dimploma at University and my 1st teaching year in Innsbruck. Still unpacking three weeks later, joke.
Hitting an old Raiders’s game today with an old professor and friend on a damn huge Flatscreen. Next three weekends I will be off to Leiden(NL) again for the Bday Party of my best Friend Peter, two (hopefully wonderfull) evenings with Debrah - a very lovely Girl i met in Amsterdam and sightseeing with my Granny (wish me luck with Debb btw).
