Will at four is the most amazing person.
We have created a monster in the best of ways. He is so smart and active and intelligent that if we are not on the ball it is constantly getting him and us into trouble! He needs almost constant stimulation and is always challenging us to find something new and interesting for him to do.
He doesn't suffer fools gladly and doesn't enjoy the 'kid talk' that some adults seem to think is appropriate which I think is part of the reason he's chewed through two pre-schools, spat one out and is working on doing the same for the second. I only hope that the Wattle Grove Kindy class can hold his attention and that his teachers give him the respect as the intelligent thinking individual that he deserve- or I'd say we'll all be in for some trouble. If we had the choice he'd be off to a Montessori school or something similar where children are truly respected as thinkers and workers. (This is where Hobsonville North Kindy absolutely shined).
He has the most eloquent turns of phrase at times and at others will quite happily throw out a giggly "Merenia you're stinky" or a cheeky "Kieran you aren't Ninja!". Sometimes I am just blown away by the things that he says and I am often left wondering where the words and sometimes the knowledge came from. The kid has a dictionary in his brain I'm sure of it.
This is why listening is key with our boy. And sometimes it's hard. Sometimes he struggles to get the words out literally stuttering and skipping. And sometimes he just struggles to put into words what he wants to say. Sometimes he repeats the same story to everyone in the room individually- even if the five of us are all sitting on the same two couches. And it doesn't matter if I am skipping on the spot in need of the loo or off to rescue Tama from some tricky situation- I have to stop and listen because Will doesn't stop until he is heard- it drives Les nuts when he is reading a story. But it's worth it because there are diamonds in the rough- amazing points where he captures the magic in our everyday lives and puts the ordinary into the most extraordinary words- Will appreciates life and living.
Will has a bucket list the length of a roll of loo paper- he wants to be an Arborist, a Helicopter pilot, he wants to drive an ambulance, be a kindy teacher, a builder, an RC pilot, a midwife, a gardener and so many more. Will is, to say the least, dissatisfied with limits and to put it in real terms absolutely against them- this makes him exhausting to parent. Toy tools aren't enough he wants the real thing, his chainsaw may not have been designed to really cut anything- but he'll darn well make it cut if it's the last thing he does. He is rough as guts- rip, chop and blast, clattering and banging around the world in the classic stereotype of the male child.
But he is also the most gentle soul, he is astute in his appraisals of people and situations- he is affectionate and empathetic. He tries so hard to convey and display his nurturing side although it's a constant battle with his wild spirit. His hugs are rough, and his kisses are hard- and whilst Les and I are the main recipients of this onslaught of love, he also manhandles his baby brother in a barrage of affection.
Watching Will and grow each day would be an honour and a pleasure if it wasn't so darn exhausting. His energy and the pace at which he moves make him a whirlwind of thoughts, ideas and activities that leave me battered and sometimes befuddled. But his delight at his own achievements and activities and also those of others is a huge reward- his confidence in himself and his absolute passion for everything is food for a parents soul.
One of my favourite ever conversations with Will happened late this year. The onslaught and turmoil of a new baby brother, moving house and moving country with all of the change and upheaval it ensued had calmed to a dull hum. We were at home having just visited the garden centre for plants, we had also brought a large Rainbow wind catcher. We brought it home, assembled it and put it out to stand up in the garden. Will delighted in it's swift movement and the bright colours and also in the moment of calm activity just me, him and Tama. He said:
"I Love It!
And I love you!
And I love Tama.
And I love me!
I love myself.
This is fun.
This was a great idea Mum!"
It was apparent that he wasn't just talking about the wind catcher he was talking about life itself, his life and the life we share. Who wouldn't want to be around someone like that each day- no matter how exhausting it may be.
♥
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