Wednesday, August 1, 2012

A Star Is Born....Or Maybe Not, And So What?


In about two weeks, school will start again and the little one will be in Kindergarten.  I must admit I seem to be the more anxious one between the two of us, and yes, I am anticipating a little bit of separation anxiety.  Although he has gone through two years of preschool, this is the first time when he’ll be gone 5 full days a week.  Yes, a part of me welcomes the alone time, but undeniably, I know I will miss him still.

But that’s not why I’m writing.  Right now, I’m trying to make sure I have all the paper work for his school ready, and there is one question in the packet that has given me pause..................…a long pause.

What are your child’s interests and talents?

The interest part is easy for me.  But talents?  I am seriously beginning to panic for taking more than 3 days to answer the said question.  I'm feeling so pathetic on so many levels. It's either I'm such a bad mother that I don't notice the presence of any 'talents', or, I'm such a bad mother, genetically that is, for not passing on anything wonderfully and remarkably innate to my offspring.  

Don't get me wrong.  I think my son is wonderful and I couldn't ask for anyone better, more suited to me.  But he's a normal 5 year old.  Seriously, is he really supposed to exhibit something remarkable at this time?  Or maybe he is already doing that but my expectations are too high that I don't see them or deem them remarkable, hence adding to my 'pathetic' state.

He sings but still goes out of tune.  He loves to dance but nothing to make me think I can now stop worrying about money since I'd be earning millions out of being his talent manager.  He picks up very quickly on video game mechanics and most other technological devices even though he can't really read yet.  He 'figures things out' and obviously has great problem solving skills.  He's also very articulate, very well-spoken, but is that even a 'talent'??? He does not play any musical instruments, and is definitely not exhibiting anything that would lead me to conclude he could be the next Van Gogh or Picasso.    

Last time I checked, talent means "above average ability, a gift, a genius, a special natural ability or aptitude". Isn't this a special thing?  But how come I feel like in this egocentric age we now live in, everyone wants to proclaim that each of us have talents?  I understand the value of valuing oneself and honing our potential.  But if everyone were 'special', then no one really is, right?  Besides, is there really something so wrong with being just normal or average?  When did we become so afraid of those words?  

I don't want to be one of those impossible to please mothers, never appreciating their children for what they have to offer.  But I don't want to be one of those neurotic ones either who overly praise and commend every single ability their child exhibits, like maybe wiping their butts.  While I find my balance and try to answer this question for my son's school, let me just leave you with this video of a talented 8 year old.  This song will always remind me of Noah, as we both love this and sing to this.  He's nothing like this boy though.  But kid's 5 and this one's 8.  Give us a break!  Besides, I still have 3 years right???    

***Photo credit: By Bernd Moehle (Flickr: School bus) [CC-BY-2.0 (], via Wikimedia Commons