Thursday, November 10, 2011

"I don't know."

Dear Son;
If I tell you I don't know the solution to your problem, it's because I have learned from experience that, even when I *do* have a perfectly good answer, you will not accept it.  You will waste my time and yours explaining to me why my solution will not work until eventually, you will come up with your own answer or discover reluctantly that my way does, in fact, solve your problem.
So, if I tell you "I don't know", it's because I cherish your time just that much.
You're welcome.

Now, get out.

7 comments:

Christie Critters said...

oh my! Was it a girl or a teacher or a best friend that is "acting strange"? Good luck.

Thumper said...

That seems oddly familiar...like it tumbled through my head a hundred times or so about 15 years ago...

Roses said...

Christie: Oh no. It's never anything THAT important. Today's drama was figuring out how to pack a billion things in his backpack without bending one folder.

Lemon Stand said...

Now why didn't 'I' think to say that? It's absolutely perfect and I'm stealing it immediately!

diamond dave said...

Heh. Gotta love those know-it-all teens.

Andy said...

Roses, having suffered through three boys that are now "on their own," I can tell you that "I don't know" is a VERY wise answer in most cases.

Saves a lot of aggravation for you, and it's almost like assigning a research paper to your own kid.

And, sheesh!!! It gets harder and harder to hold your fire as you realize that the problems will have more long-term impact on them if they get it wrong.

But, the good thing is that you finally "know" when it's time to be straightforward with an answer. You'll know. And dangit, I hate that you'll have to...

Moogie P said...

I wish I'd come to that conclusion some 15 years ago -- it would've saved all kinds of time and emotional capital. But, it's amazing how smart I've come to be in my daughters' estimation these days!