My son is absolutely obsessed with dinosaurs. While many kids go through a dinosaur phase, we’re now entering year two of his dino-obsession, and it shows no sign of slowing down. He spends hours each day immersing himself in everything prehistoric, claiming he’s only beginning to scratch the surface of his knowledge. Dinosaurs are his one true love, and he ensures we all know it.
From the moment he wakes up until he drifts off to sleep, he’s chatting away. If no one’s around to listen, he talks to himself. The moment the murmurs stop, we know he’s finally asleep. His imagination is endless, and I cherish his enthusiasm for sharing his thoughts.
However, combining his relentless chatter with his intense interest in dinosaurs can be downright exhausting. Don’t get me wrong, I adore my son, but I’ve reached my limit on dinosaur discussions. Before his obsession took off, I could name a handful of dinosaurs, and I was perfectly fine with that. Now, thanks to his relentless teaching sessions at home, I can identify a dimorphodon from a dilophosaurus, and I’ve learned that I should never mistakenly call a quadruped sauropod a brontosaurus again.
Since we’ve all been home together, my son has taken the opportunity to conduct a never-ending dinosaur seminar. It’s non-stop—sometimes I can’t even make breakfast without being interrupted by a lecture on rhamphorynchus.
I do my best to keep up with his excitement and I never want to stifle his passion. He loves dinosaurs more than I have ever loved anything else. However, I also recognize that it’s essential for him to learn when to read the room and engage in reciprocal conversations. Everyone deserves a chance to share their thoughts, and I want him to understand that sometimes, he needs to set aside his favorite topics to show interest in others.
A few weeks ago, while driving, I was listening to a podcast as he worked on his schoolwork in the backseat. Once he finished, he started enthusiastically sharing facts about the carnotaurus and insisted I turn off the podcast. I did, but then I took the moment to gently discuss the need for some boundaries around our dinosaur conversations.
I expressed to him how proud I was of his knowledge and passion, but I explained that I wanted to finish my podcast. He could draw dinosaurs or watch a video on his iPad, but I needed a break from the dino-talk. I also shared that it’s important for me to discuss things that excite me too.
Although it was tough to introduce this idea, it was essential for his growth. After a few questions to ensure I wasn’t upset, he suggested a brilliant idea: “What if I asked, ‘Would you like to hear something about the acrocanthosaurus?’ before sharing?” I agreed that this was a fantastic way to check in before diving into his favorite topic. Now, when I say I need a break, he’ll say, “I’ll check in later to see if it’s a good time.”
I’m so proud of how he responded to this lesson in boundaries and respect.
With his birthday approaching, he’s requested a dinosaur-themed celebration, and I’m thrilled to oblige. We’ll have a volcano cake and a mountain of dino-themed presents. On that special day, we’ll dive deep into dinosaur discussions without any interruptions. I’m confident he’ll remember to ask first, and that fills me with pride.
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Summary:
In navigating my son’s intense dinosaur obsession, I’ve found a unique opportunity to teach him about boundaries and the art of conversation. While he passionately shares his knowledge, it’s essential for him to learn when to engage and listen to others. By fostering respect in our communication, I’ve helped him understand the importance of checking in before diving into his favorite topics, ultimately strengthening our relationship and his social skills.
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