Hasses aren't only avocados.: Pater: Lessons to be learnt

Pater: Lessons to be learnt

Posted by Pater , Tuesday, February 2, 2016 9:22 PM

Pater remembers how much time and effort we spent getting excited by everything AJ1 did and said as she took her first proverbial steps in life. Pater remembers how much time and effort we spent in marveling at most of AJ2's accomplishments as he progressed on his initial journey through life. Peter remembers how much time and effort we spent in occasionally remembering that AJ3 was doing something or other, hopefully not causing himself and others too much trouble.

Yes, mea culpa, the parental excitement of first words, first tooth, first steps have all dissipated as we have grown our fruit bowl of Avocado Jnrs. Let's cut to the chase: Pater and Mater just can't get excited anymore about the challenges of toilet training, brushing teeth and not running with scissors... While this does not bode well for you, AJ4, the good news is that Pater's currently going through a phase of guilt at your impending ignorance and so will be spending this blog post imparting knowledge that he feels is important in your development. It's a few month premature...

...but don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Especially when, within a year, said gift horse will be sleep deprived, smelling of nappies and generally exhausted. So here goes, AJ4:

Wisdom Pearl #1 - you should probably learn to read, write and colour-in at some point. The good news is, you have admirable teachers. In your grandmas and AJ1, AJ2 and AJ3 that is...

Okay, we're done for now. That should get you through at least until university (and probably beyond, if the current educational system continues on its self-destructive path, but that's the subject of an entirely different blog). Best of luck, AJ4...

...Mater is tapping her foot on the floor impatiently. Wisdom Pearl #2 - this is not a good sign and generally means Pater has done something wrong (other non-verbal signs include a frown, folded arms, a deep and slow breath out, pursed lips, flared nostrils and, on one occasion, a genuine smile which completely floored Pater but is also the subject of the aforementioned different blog).

Wisdom Pearl #3 - academic learning is all well and good, but Mater would like you to know that having fun is also an important part of your growth and development. And what's more fun than Lego?!!!! (Pater is focusing on his keyboard but suspects Mater is rolling her eyes and breathing out slowly). A lot has already been said about this most sacred and pedagogic of toys, but if you need further convincing AJ4, please have a word with the Master Builders...

AJ4, if you haven't noticed a common thread here then please allow Pater to paint it large: YOUR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IS ENTIRELY RELIANT ON THE SKILLS AND WISDOM OF YOUR SIBLINGS!!! Since Mater and Pater had a small hand in their development, we feel safe in the knowledge that this is not the worst predicament to be in.

But always keep in mind Wisdom Pearl #4 - even the brightest, funniest, most beautiful people have off-days that you may want to avoid mimicking...