Sometimes it’s hard to be four
August 10, 2007 – 5:54 amTonight, like every other night, I went into CJ’s room to kiss him goodnight.
He was lying on his side facing the wall. I reached my arm around to squeeze him and he said softly, “Mom? I don’t want to be me.”
“What? You don’t want to be you?”
“No. I don’t want to be me.”
I leaned down to kiss his cheek. It was damp. He was crying? Because he didn’t want to be him?
I felt my heart break a little bit.
“Oh CJ,” I said. “Why don’t you want to be you?”
He was quiet. And then he said, “I just want to be human.“
I couldn’t help it. I know I shouldn’t but I laughed… just a little.
“Oh honey, you ARE human.” I said, relieved to be able to put his mind at ease. “People are humans.”
“No they’re not.” he said with conviction.
“What do you think humans are?”
“Humans are bad guys.” he said.
And once again, I found myself speechless.
***
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By The Parents Zone on Aug 9, 2007 | Reply
Now its my turn to be speechless!!!find that comic book or cartoon show or movie or something he might have read or watched.
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By JaniceNW on Aug 10, 2007 | Reply
So the good guy is Captain Environment? An elephant? Who are the good guys and why is he so worried? 4 year old can be very complex.
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By Nadine on Aug 10, 2007 | Reply
Poor little guy. I hope he’s feeling a more happy today!
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By bellevelma on Aug 10, 2007 | Reply
I’m not sure if I should laugh or cry. It’s funny and heart breaking at the same time! I hope you can convince him that not ALL humans are bad guys.
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By TastesLikeCrazy on Aug 10, 2007 | Reply
Oh gosh!
What’s going on with him?
That’s a mighty big declaration to make, you know?
I hope it was just one of those fluke observations and not something that he’s really worried about.
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By Jessica on Aug 10, 2007 | Reply
My almost 3-y.o. daughter recently told me that boys aren’t people, only girls are people. Boys, she says, are pirates!
I hope your little boy (or pirate, depending on the POV) is feeling better about being him today!
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By shaz on Aug 10, 2007 | Reply
awwwww :(
4 year olds are really complex, aren’t they?! Mine is the same. Is he also the eldest? I think that eldest kids worry a lot about everything!
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By Jenn on Aug 10, 2007 | Reply
You know, he sounds much like my Unruly. At the tender age of 6 she is already an environmental activist. When she sees trash on the side of the road or a bus spewing black smoke into the atmosphere, she gets really, really upset and starts in on humans being bad and mean to Mother Nature.
I’m just waiting for her to ask permission to join Green Peace.
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By Heather on Aug 10, 2007 | Reply
Awww, poor guy.
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By karrie on Aug 10, 2007 | Reply
It is so startling when they realize how the world works, and reveal profundities like this little gem.
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By Mama Zen on Aug 10, 2007 | Reply
The bad guys are always cooler!
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By Rachel on Aug 10, 2007 | Reply
Bless his little heart! I hope he’s happy to be him today!
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By andi on Aug 10, 2007 | Reply
Aw, such intensity for such a little man. I hope he soon realizes that not all humans are bad guys.
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By Worker Mommy on Aug 10, 2007 | Reply
Wow, whats leading him to that conclusion ?
Did he see or overhear someone say that ?
Sure some humans are “bad guys” but I’d hope the majority of us are good.
How sad, that its making him sad.
I wanna just reach out and hug him!!!
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By Wendy on Aug 10, 2007 | Reply
Huh?? Has he been watching “Over the Hedge”?? That’s the only thing I could come up with!
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By meddlingkidd on Aug 10, 2007 | Reply
Awww, hope he’s feeling better about being him today!
Jen
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By tulipmom on Aug 11, 2007 | Reply
Wow! I too was wondering what show or movie might have prompted this comment.
Sometimes it’s so hard not to laugh at the serious stuff they say.
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By nell on Aug 12, 2007 | Reply
Awesome! Leave it to CJ to be disappointed that he’s only a person and not a human i.e. bad guy. You were right - he and Freya must have a mysterious connection.
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By Jo Beaufoix on Aug 12, 2007 | Reply
Ahh, kids are amazing aren’t they?
Hope he feels better about being CJ now.
He’s a little thinker isn’t he.
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