Tonight at dinner I asked Isaac if he had any New Year's resolutions. Then I had to explain the concept of New Year's resolutions.
It's actually a tricky topic, because resolutions so often involve sacrifice, shame, and self-denial. The whole concept of "new year, new you!" seems so promising and yet so sad. So I skipped the personal improvement angle, because it seemed ludicrous to suggest that a child resolve to improve himself. A child doesn't need to become a better or different person. And maybe adults don't either!
I told Isaac that New Year's resolutions help motivate someone who wants to learn something new. He was unimpressed. But then, learning new things is what childhood is all about, no special date or resolution needed!
Two years ago he resolved to learn to drive, which didn't work out for him. (He doesn't remember having said it, of course.) This year he claimed not to have any resolutions, but when we suggested he might learn to read in 2010, he seemed excited.
No comments:
Post a Comment