Kid-Netics

On yet another channel-changing expedition, I saw Fantasia, that past winner of an American Idol competition, singing the Porgy & Bess song, “Summer Time.” This video brought back a memory (or a few). My mom used to sing that song to my older sister and I in an attempt to put us to sleep. However, I was horrified by the words that told me one day I was going to “flap my wings and take to the sky.” I prayed that it wouldn’t happen, because I had no idea of where I would go.

Many, many cynical years later, in a family tradition kind of way, I was singing the same lyrics to my three-year-old son, trying to put him to sleep. His little cherubic eyes were closed as he listened. Then I got to these words: “Your daddy’s rich and your mama’s good lookin’.’” His eyes popped opened; he raised a stubby finger, lifted his head from his pillow, and in that ducky voice that all kids have he said, “Wait a secon’! My daddy’s not rich an’ you’re not good lookin’” Then he threw his little head back and just laughed and laughed.

Oh my God, I thought. He’s his mama’s son. I hope he can live with it.