Kids always surprise you

See the missing tooth?

We were joking the other day about putting Jake in school here since we're going to be in American Samoa for at least a month.  The more we talked about it, the better the idea sounded to me.  He could get to play with other kids, learn about the culture, and I would get an idea of where he was educationally (We're doing what I call first grade stuff, but is that what first graders are really doing?).

Andy thought it was a good idea so we actually started googling schools and really discussing the validity of it.  So I asked Jake about it and he immediately said no.  I asked him why.
"I want to be with you all day"
Oh, isn't that sweet?  But still...it's a good idea.  "Just think about it," I said.
"OK, I'll think about it."

Later that evening I decided to give it a go again.

"Jake, have you thought about going to school?"
"I don't want to go."
"Why not?  It would be fun."
"I don't want to go."
So I thought I would try another tactic.  "Don't you want to meet other little kids and have someone to play with all day?  You always ask for someone to play with you...you would have someone all day!"
"But then I would make friends and we would leave and then I would miss them very much.  I don't want to go."

Wow, I didn't see that coming.  He's totally right, I just wasn't aware that he cared that much.  We've always been the ones to leave, even before we started sailing.  He left his good friends Arlie and Jett in Norfolk, along with all of his preschool teachers.  Then we left all of his friends in CA, not to mention his grandparents.   When we left La Cruz, there were at least 5 little friends he had grown close to.  I had always focused on the fact that he rarely had anyone to play with, not necessarily taking into account the relationships he makes with the few kids he meets.  While I still think we're doing him good in the long run, it really does make you stop and consider things again.  We get a good bit of criticism about the isolation, but when people meet Jake they're always surprised at how smart he is and what a great little personality he has (I have no idea why they're surprised, look at his parents! :) ).  Not to mention how well he communicates with others and how content he is to play by himself.  He's just a go with the flow kind of kid.  I could second guess myself forever and never come up with the right answer.  I think what this little engagement taught me was to not assume that I know what the little guy is thinking and feeling.  Kids are amazing little observers and it would be unfair of me not to acknowledge and appreciate that.