Not too long ago, I was a witness to an interesting encounter: the feeding of a nine year old boy. Thats right, I said nine; but that isn’t the part of the experience we will re-hash today.
I’m not sure how this came about, but an adult (an educated individual, who has a passion for and works with kids) started playing “airplane” with the wide assortment of foods on the aforementioned child’s plate. Everyone was having a blast: this was so much fun! And the kids were digging it because they were able to hang out with an awesome adult. Which leads me to my next point: kids imitate you. What you say, what you do, regardless of context, situation or appropiateness, they learn by example and want to be and act like the “cool” adults (and to them, we’re all cool). That being the case, this kid decided to feed the adult, swirling a full fork about in a manner reminiscent to an out-of-control aeroplane. It turns out this was inappropriate and unacceptable!
Adult power: engage!
Stern voice: activate!
The “I’m the adult; I’m in control” mindset was in full swing as the child was repremanded for doing what it was in his nature to do, for doing his thing.
I was confused and speechless at what was transpiring: an adult showed a kid a neat trick that everyone enjoyed, and he seriously didn’t expect the child to mimic him?! Or was this just a [subconscious and] deliberate attempt to set up a scenario where authority can be exercised?
Whatever the case may have been, I descreetly (at least I think it was descreet, since no one but the addressed heard) mentioned this observation in a non-threatening, non-accusing manner to the involved adult (a bit out if character for me, I know, but I wasn’t trying to make a point or loud anyone out, I was sincerly curious what this person was thinking). That didn’t work so well: how dare I question his handling of the situation? He works with kids and knows what he’s doing! Needless to say, I still don’t know what was going through his mind.
This incident has no real bearing on anything of any significance… scratch that: this is a person that teaches our youth? That having been said, I’m still not sure why this event has stuck with me all this time, or why I would personally take offense at it, but it has and I do…