I Am Shamed. Shamed!

My kids are confused by this weird thing called Daylight Savings Time. I could completely understand if it was Micah or even Luke who are foggy about this, but it's my oldest. My teenager. My blonde daughter.

Last evening she asked when it started getting dark at 6:30. I told her that it's actually 5:30 because we hadn't set the time back on the clock she was looking at. She looked very confused about the fact that we change time, and only a little more shocked to know that it now gets dark at 5:30 PM.

Which, by the way, is just wrong.

So this morning she gets up, stumbles into my room, and says "why is it so light out at 7:00?" I reminded her that really it was like 8:00 because of the time change. She did the whole confused routine again while trying to comprehend just what her parents did to mess with her mind.

Do teachers not talk about this in school any more? How can anyone be so in the dark about DST? (No pun intended. Trust me, I'm not thrilled with the dark evenings.) I worry a little bit about our kids since they are the next generation. Will their kind phase themselves out from sheer stupidity?

**************

And it's not just her. Their cousin started with a blonde joke last night, and Becky takes all kinds of offense to them. So they tried twisting it around to make the outcome so much better.

Cousin: How many blondes does it take to change a light bulb?

Becky: I don't know. How many?

Cousin: One.

Josh: One fourth. That would be even better.

Becky: You mean one half?

Cousin: One.

Josh: No, one fourth. What would that be?

Me: That would be someone cut into four pieces. The answer is ONE. (I also had the overwhelming urge to smack that boy upside the head.)

**************

Josh came home from school saying that there will be a mock election tomorrow. I was sure to ask who he was voting for, because I would not hesitate to disown him if he voted for the other guy. I may or may not be kidding. (Why yes, we do feel our convictions strongly. Isn't that what a conviction is?) He said that it's going to be a historic election. (I know that the teacher told him this because that is not a word he would have come up with on his own. But it is indeed the truth.)

You know that if John McCain gets elected he'll be the oldest man ever to be president?

Yep, you're right. And Sarah Palin will be the first ever woman vice president.

And if Obama gets elected then he'll be the first African American to be president. He'll also be the first black man.

*sigh*

Surely this all cannot be a reflection of the years they were home schooled, can it? Please tell me that I did not pass along permanent damage on this grand of a scale.

21 comments:

Pam said...

hee hee hee! Thanks for the giggle! I thought my daughter insisting that the saying is beets sake and not Pete's sake or calling a blister and blistern was silly. I'm glad to know she isn't alone in her ways! Oh what does the future hold for them! By the way- be sure to tell your kids if they don't vote my way (I think you and I are on the same page) I will be sure to come slap them for you ;) I'm a good friend like that!

Leanne said...

Basically I think you become stupid when you're a teen and when you're a new Mom.

They'll be fine. But thanks for the chuckle...

Burgh Baby said...

Well, there are a lot of blonds at your house . . .

Flea said...

Burgh has a point, Karen. :)

Anonymous said...

Hmmm. Becky really thinks you are just screwing with her?

Michelle said...

Trust me... I had my own issues with DST. In fact, I'm pretty sure that's the topic of tomorrow's post! :)

The Sports Mama said...

Just to reassure you and Becky...

We do not observer DST here in Arizona. She will love it here. Well, she'll love it in about ten years when we've decided they're old enough to love it.

And I told you that one of my boys (way back at the beginning of this entire campaign) wanted to vote for Obama simply because they thought the black President on "24" has always done such a fantastic job, right?

Karen said...

Funny.....Becky and DST and blonde jokes.
The whole historic election phrase I have heard so much this election sort of irks me, since aren't all elections historic. Yes, I get the significance of this one, but couldn't the media find a better word?

Trisha said...

I love the comment about Obama! the whole African American and black thing can be very confusing!

Anonymous said...

I am still confused about why we do DST! Growing up in Indiana we never did and the only confusing thing was sometimes we were on eastern time and sometimes central...

As for the election my 5 year old niece told my sister it would be fair if "Rock A Bomber" was president because no one who is black has had a turn...

Why 5 year olds do not get to vote...

Debbie in CA : ) said...

Whew! Girl, you are prolific!!! I have to read in chunks these days (and your site takes a lot of chewing). All good stuff!

The time change always confuses our family flow, but strangely enough my autistic son isn't affected all that much. HE JUST FOLLOWS THE INTERNAL CLOCK -- Yep, he's up waaaaay early, asks to go to be before dinner, and on it goes until he naturally assimilates. Spring AHEAD causes more problems though -- the sun confuses all the internal clues. Life keeps us dancing, might as well enjoy it.

Glad we homeschool and eat all of our meals at home -- who cares if we don't ACTUALLY shift like all the rest of the US? We smile our unique little smiles and live our unique little lives, and enJOY ourselves all the more as we eat about an hour later. : )

Paula Lynn Johnson said...

Don't worry. There was a picture of an attractive black man on a sales display at Target, and my son went, "Look Mom! It's Obama!"

And he's public schooled, all the way . . .

Andrea said...

Whuahahaha!! Obama!! that is too funny!!

I just can't decide who to vote for. I like certain things about both, why can't they work together? I know that would never work!!

And I hate daylight savings time. My horses are most confused about it. They will stand up at the fence at 3pm wanting to be fed. Poor horses think I am starving them, making them wait.

JennyH said...

Alright Karen your blog is always so funny! I can always count on you to make a smile!

Love the stories!

ALF said...

A friend of a friend is a full grown, college educated adult who had never heard of time zones.

Maria (also Bia) said...

I love how you made sure your son was not voting for the other guy...nothing like voting along familial lines! I'm all for it!!

Karen MEG said...

Oh but Karen, they're trying, they really really are!

You're a hoot!

caramama said...

That is just too funny! Kids these days, eh?

I get DST, but I just don't like it!

CC said...

You must come by my blog for yesterday's post. Please join my movement!!

imbeingheldhostage said...

wow. I never thought of it that way-- Obama was making history in two categories ;-)

You know K, if Josh chooses to end his schooling now, he'll make it on his looks-- he's one handsome kid.

KG said...

I am a natural blonde.

*hangs head in shame*