Sphere of Influence

Kids can learn and be influenced and not really know they are being taught. This is really quite a relief for me because it requires less effort on my part! At the same time it is scary because it brings into sharp focus the fact that I cannot control their sphere of influence for much longer.

Drew is the first to venture out. It really must be a difficult task to be the trail blazer in the family. Actually, he's been the guinea pig for his parents, the cherished first grandchild and nephew (until Owen came along and knocked him off his throne), and the only "only child" his parents will ever have.

He's known the joy of not having to share and the trauma of an overzealous Mama feed him mustard greens, kelp and tofu. The agony of having to endure his parents' constant parental experiments and the ecstasy of having our full and undivided attention until Owen arrived. He's been the "first" for everything. He's had a full life in his scant 5 years.

Alas, his life will soon get fuller and my carefully controlled sphere of influence will deflate drastically.

The pin to prick my bubble of control?

Kindergarten.

It's a whole new world. A world of macaroni necklaces and playground politics. A world of exciting new friends like streptococcus, pneumococcal, and rhino virus.

Nerve-wracking for me and greatly anticipated for Drew. He's ready and he's willing and he's already talking about how he is going to love kindergarten. My little engineer-in-training....and I love him for it.

Not much gets by my Drew. So I've carefully surrounded him with positive influences and fought away the bad. I don't believe it takes a village to raise a child....certainly not MY child. However, I do believe it takes a whole family to raise a child. I want the influences of Grandmas and Grandpas and Aunts and Uncles. It is with these associations that I believe Drew and his brothers can get the reinforcement of our teachings.

Uncle Kimball is going for his second tour of duty in as many years...this time to Iraq. So Drew has been spending time with Kimball and his new wife, Annalise. He's been soaking up information about Kimball's motorcycle and being schooled in the ways of airplane, bomb and gun noises.... all very important information for a young boy!!

But it wasn't until I overheard a particular exchange that things came full circle for me. My sphere of influence theory was tested and proven victorious!

Drew has been taught by Jay the importance of treating women with respect. Many times I've stifled a giggle as I've watched Drew wrestle with a door that was too heavy for him to hold as I've passed through. Surely, our teachings have been reinforced these past days as Drew has watched Uncle Kimball treat Aunt Annalise with kindness, love and respect.

After a session of daffodil picking in the back yard, my suspicions were confirmed. Drew chose a daffodil for Aunt Annalise and instructed Owen to follow him. As they rounded the corner, I overheard Drew instruct his brother in the ways of the world. "Come on, Owen," he said. "Let's give this daffodil to Aunt Annalise. We've got to be nice to the ladies!"

Ah, everyone loves a gentleman!