My family has been very busy this week hosting a 14, turning 15 year old Japanese exchange student. (Her birthday was yesterday.) We’ve been having a lot of fun, especially because the adults planned five days of elaborate sightseeing and general tourism mayhem. My 14-year-old son signed up for all five days, and my younger son and I tagged along for the Friday trip.
I sat next to the Japanese middle school English teacher, who complimented me on my son’s Japanese language skills. She also commented on how my son and his host sister had engaged in a long and spirited conversation in Japanese about the pros and cons of buying used clothing. I don’t think of my son as being the biggest proponent of The Compact, but apparently my love of seeking out fabulous second hand goods has gotten through his thick platinum blond mane.
He may not have converted our lovely little Japanese girl, but he certainly made an impression on the Japanese teacher.
Love this kid. He’s one in a million!
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
That’s awesome! It’s great to know the values you have are showing up in your child. You must be a wonderful mom 🙂
Beth,
I’m like all other mothers. Good at some things, not so much at others.
-Katy
Awesome!
Yay for him!
Funny what they pick up from us parents and reveal only in a foreign language 😉
It’s always nice to have confirmation that your values are sinking in to their psyches (and not just the bad stuff/mothering mistakes, which is what I always fear!). When I told my son (9) that his grandmother (at age 74) had bought a Mini Cooper painted with racing stripes etc., he said, “if she had some extra money, why didn’t she give it to charity?” I was so proud of him! Most kids would have thought, “hey, cool race car” or “why didn’t she buy ME something?!” but not my kind-hearted kid. Keep up the good work, Katy. You are right to be a proud mama.