There comes a moment in every parent’s journey when their child begins to surpass them. For me, that realization struck when my son recently outperformed me in a test of strength—and in other areas as well.
I was struggling to open a jar of gourmet nut butter (you know, the fancy glass jars with metal lids), and no matter how hard I tried, it wouldn’t budge. My recent neck injury, likely from lifting groceries or attempting a “core strength” workout video, didn’t help matters. As I grunted and wrestled with the jar, my 11-year-old son casually enjoyed his breakfast nearby.
It appears that waning grip strength is a common issue for adults as they age. So, yes, I’m losing my grip—at least when it comes to jars and cans.
“I can do it, Mom,” he said confidently. With a few taps of a butter knife on the lid—something his dad often does, though it hadn’t worked for me—he twisted the lid open with ease. I heard that satisfying pop. “Here you go,” he said, handing me the opened jar with a proud smile.
In that moment, I understood how my mom felt when my sister and I figured out new technologies, like VCRs, back in the day.
Strength and Speed
Right now? My child is officially stronger than I am. He’s also faster—he could outrun me as a toddler, and he’s even beaten a local NFL player in a race at the track.
Tech Whiz
When it comes to technology, he’s a whiz. He’s currently learning coding in school and knows how to navigate our TV setup that requires juggling three different remotes.
A Sense of Humor
He might even have a better sense of humor than I do. When I jokingly referred to my new egg cooker as egg-cellent and egg-citing, he quipped, “Mom, you need to egg-spand your repertoire of egg jokes.” Ouch!
Academic Achievements
Academically, he leaves me in the dust, especially in math. Recently, while I was explaining some current events, I was taken aback by his knowledge of history. “I read about the fall of the Berlin Wall in a book,” he told me. He’s even considering joining a stock club at school where kids simulate investing in the stock market. Honestly, whatever he chooses, I might just invest for real.
Every parent has that moment when they see their children excel in various ways. It’s a natural progression, and as parents, we wish for our kids to be happier and more successful than we are. We hope they will tackle the big challenges—like climate change and finding a way to work fewer days while still earning a good living.
I genuinely want my son to outshine me in as many aspects of life as possible.
Seeking Help
As for my jar-opening skills? While shopping recently, my son spotted something called the “Mighty Gripper”—a rubber pad designed to make opening jars easier. “Get a grip!” the packaging said.
“That looks like something you could use, Mom,” he commented. Indeed, I could use a little help.
The four-pack of Mighty Grippers was inexpensive, so I bought it. Now, I’m able to open jars with the Mighty Gripper’s assistance. But I know that if I ever encounter a jar that even the Mighty Gripper can’t conquer, I can always turn to my son for assistance.
As we both grow older, I guess I’ll need to adjust to seeking his help rather than the other way around. Time flies, and before I know it, I’ll be asking him to activate the teleportation device in my retirement home since I won’t have a clue how to operate the latest technology.
Though, I doubt he’ll know how to set up a VCR to record a show—then again, I never quite figured that out either. But there’s always hope, right?
Resources
For more information on home insemination, you can check out this guide. If you’re interested in related topics, Make A Mom is a fantastic resource. Additionally, for insights into fertility treatments, visit WebMD.
Summary
In the journey of parenthood, there comes a time when children begin to outshine their parents, as seen through personal anecdotes of strength and intelligence. The author reflects on their child’s achievements in strength, technology, humor, and academics while embracing the changing dynamic of their relationship.
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