Posted February 2, 2010 / Christina Cox

by Christina Cox, new mom blogger

The other day, a salesperson asked me how old Max was. When I replied that he was 15 months, she asked if he was tall for his age. I readily gushed that he’s off the charts with height, close to the top for weight and did she know that he has about 20 words in his repertoire, which is ten more than the average child at this age?
When I turned to leave, I reviewed the conversation and I started laughing. I can’t believe I said all that. When I didn’t have children, I thought it was so hilarious when new mothers responded in such a proud way. What were they thinking? Did they think their kid was so special because he was a little tall for his age or even better that he is some kind of child prodigy?
Well, yes actually. The whole child prodigy thing briefly crossed my mind after Max said clear as a bell: “knee, elbow and nose,” then pointed to the fire and said hot, pointed to the fridge and said cold and made a comparison between a big dog chuck-it and a small one. When I took him to the mall, he was saying hi, bye and wow to everyone while trotting by with a wickedly charming smile and then stopped to dance when he heard a guy playing the piano. Honestly, I have been truly flabbergasted at what he’s already learned with just 15 months under his belt? And, apparently I can’t help but share my amazement with others.
In all fairness to new mothers, the way these little ones learn and absorb information IS totally amazing. If we adults continued to learn at the same trajectory as all babies from birth to two, maybe we’d all be a prodigy of some sort and probably tap into brainpower we never even knew we had. The fact is that in just over a year, Max (along with most of his 15 month-old peers) really can understand almost everything we say, grasp simple concepts and beautifully imitate us. And, to me that is truly fascinating even if it’s not uniquely special.
As a new mother, you are witnessing all this for the first time in complete wonder and not realizing that most children are learning in the same way. So, the “wow, isn’t that amazing” feeling really is genuine if a teensy obnoxious to others who aren’t new parents or to others who’ve forgotten what it was like way back when they were raising their first child. And, you know, I think it’s ok to be a bit extra proud of your little pumpkin even if it means others have to endure the occasional boast-filled exclamation once in a while. After all, the bounding enthusiasm is a great way to keep little people excited about the great big world all around them. Why squash their fiery little passion for learning and life? As for me, I’m going to keep clapping when Max gets things right, keep cheering him on when he’s struggling and keep telling him and anyone else who will listen what an amazing “off the charts” little person he’s becoming.