If you have more than one child, occasionally you are privy to the conversations they have between themselves without your presence. Most of these you miss, of course, but occasionally you can eavesdrop. Eavesdropping is, as we all know, a bad thing, but maternal eavesdropping, as any mother will tell you, doesn’t count.
This particular conversation took place in the sitting room, which, conveniently, is within earshot of the desk where the computer is. I could therefore type the conversation as it happened, so I know I got it down verbatim. 10-yo was watching soccer on tv (hence the curtailed ability to utter a sentence longer than three words). The boy lives, breathes, thinks, eats soccer (just to set the scene for you). The conversation went like this:
3-yo: Why do soccer matches be silly? [blimey, 3-yo, talk about going for the jugular]
10-yo: They’re not silly.
3-yo: Why are they?
10-yo: They’re not.
3-yo: Oh. [long pause] Are they good or bad?
10-yo: They’re good.
3-yo: Oh. [long pause] Where did soccer matches came from?
10-yo: Different places.
3-yo: What do you do when you play a soccer match?
10-yo: You try to score a goal.
3-yo: Why do they have matching costumes all the same? [honing in now on the more important aspects of the sport]
10-yo: They have to.
I’m so glad that 3-yo has the opportunity for such a comprehensive education concerning the beautiful game. After all, there won’t be many boys in her life with whom she will be able to use the opening gambit “Why do soccer matches be silly?”. Not if she’s got any sense.
"matching costumes all the same."
ReplyDeletethat's a great observation.
Soccer IS a bit silly. All those people working so hard just to kick a ball into a net. Come to think of it, all sports are pretty silly.
ReplyDelete10-yo showed considerable restraint...I don't think mine would have tolerated the interruption for so long!
ReplyDeletePigx
"You try to score a goal" says it all really. It's why all kids hate playing defence. Will he be able to feed his soccer obsession in the States or will he have to adapt to American football or whatever it is they play over there, I wonder.
ReplyDeleteGo for it, 3-yo.
I love kid speak. They are so much fun to just listen to & to see how the rambles turn into language.
ReplyDeleteMy best overheard kid conversations also have to do with soccer. But mine are when I eavesdrop on the soccer carpool in the backseat. It's amazing a) what comes out of their mouths and b) that they think for some reason I can't hear them.
ReplyDeleteWe walk past Chelsea Football Stadium every day on our way home from nursery, and Boy #1 is obsessed with the 'football strip costume' he sees on display in their shop. We have long involved conversations about the sponsorship on the shirts and why they wear different colours. I so hope he becomes a rugby player...
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! And very intelligent questions for a 3 year old x
ReplyDeleteGentle yet persistent - clever 3-yo. And I agree with Pig in the Kitchen, 10-yo did show rather a lot of restraint. Personally, I remain uncertain of soccer's attractions, despite having more years than 3-yo to figure that one out. But as you wisely point out, I have learnt to keep quiet about my doubts.
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot of potential for the question 'why do (fill in space with noun of choice) be silly'? When she grows up, any chance she could publish a book of answers? I, for one, would love to know what they are.
ReplyDeleteDon't know if you do awards, but have one on me if you do. Over at 3kids when you get a chance to visit.
ReplyDeleteToo precious!
ReplyDeleteRemind me to tell you about my 6-year-old's daughter's football match with the local public school.