There will come a day when my child thinks I’m less than brilliant. A time is on the horizon—probably about a decade from now—when he’ll roll his eyes at my attempts to explain something. As a parent, that reality is both daunting and inevitable. This incredible little person I brought into the world, to whom I’ve given my heart and soul, will inevitably glance at me with that blend of pity and disbelief that says, “You just don’t get it, do you?”
Such is the cycle of parenting. As children grow, their perception of their parents’ intelligence tends to diminish, hitting its lowest point typically between the ages of 18 and 22.
With my son now three and already tossing around words like “telekinesis,” I can only imagine the questions that lie ahead. Just yesterday, we were playing superheroes, and he asked me to play Raven and “do the sarcasm” with him. (“Oh sure, I’d just love to do the sarcasm,” I responded with a wink.) I can’t help but feel anxious about the barrage of inquiries that will soon come my way, and I’m grateful for Google, which feels like a safety net for my impending inadequacy.
“Mom, why is the sky blue?”
“Well, it has to do with light and… the wavelengths of light. And… there you go.” (*frantically searches “why is sky blue” on Google*)
“Mom, what was the Big Bang?”
“Uh, well, it was when… balls of gas exploded?”
“But why did they explode?”
“Um… they were hot?” (*frantically searches “big bang”*)
I’m trying to see these moments as chances to relearn old facts or discover new ones. But I can’t shake the fear that my son will recognize my shortcomings and lose faith in me. With the complexities of Common Core math, I might only have a few more years before he realizes just how clueless I can be.
The reality is that, as children surpass their parents in knowledge, I genuinely want that for my son. I hope he’ll have experiences I’ve never had—like backpacking through Europe, conducting experiments at prestigious universities, and immersing himself in cultures that expand his worldview. I long for him to pursue his passions with zeal and master fields of study that ignite his curiosity.
But with that growth comes a diminished need for my guidance. In this digital age, why would anyone reach out to their mother for advice when the entirety of human knowledge is available online? If I want to know how to cook a steak perfectly, I can Google it. Need stain removal tips? Or advice on the best time to plant my garden? Google has it covered. Even when it comes to matters of the heart, I’ve often hesitated to ask my mom for insight, thinking, “How could she understand the intricacies of my modern romantic life, given her own experiences?”
I sometimes wonder if my mother feels a sense of disconnect because she no longer feels needed the way she once was. The transfer of knowledge is just a fraction of the parent-child bond. Why consult a parent for answers to life’s everyday questions when I can simply Google them?
What I truly need my mother for, and what I believe my son will need from me, transcends the information available online. During my moments of anxiety, it’s my mother’s voice that reassures me, “This will pass, trust me.” When I doubt my writing ability, only she can encourage me with words like, “Don’t give up; I believe in you.”
I am prepared to embrace the reality that I may never possess the knowledge or experience to be the perfect mother my son deserves. One day, he may be disappointed in my limitations. I won’t be pursuing a Ph.D. I struggle to remember the difference between alligators and crocodiles, no matter how many times I look it up. But ultimately, when my son needs comfort and reassurance, I want to be the one to say, “It will be alright.” Because, when it comes down to it, I am the only one who can make him truly believe it.
And—sorry, Google—I’ll always be here for him.
For more insights on parenting, check out this related post about the value of maternal support here. If you’re interested in at-home insemination, consider reputable options like this syringe kit available online. Additionally, for further information about pregnancy and home insemination, Progyny offers excellent resources.
Summary
In a world where information is just a click away, the role of mothers may seem diminished, yet their emotional support remains irreplaceable. As children grow and surpass their parents in knowledge, the bond between mother and child evolves, emphasizing the importance of love and reassurance over mere information.
Leave a Reply