he grows up. That last one made me smile. It also gave me proof positive that, yes, he really is my child. Last week I wasn’t so sure. But I digress. My youngest, Mr. Smarty Pants, gave me definitive answers. He wants to be a paleontologist in the summer and a zookeeper during the winter. Period. Alrighty then. It was now my mission to find mentors for my kids. Luckily, my friend’s husband is a scientist. He has a doctorate in something I can’t even pronounce, let alone spell, but I know it’s a really fancy job. I wonder if he would be up for a play date with a 9-yearold? As for the little one, his dreams were a teensy bit more challenging. And when I say teensy bit more challenging, I mean entirely impossible! After internet searches and Facebook pleas, I realized paleontologists and zookeepers are a covert bunch. I would have had an easier time if my son had said he wanted to be the President. At least I know where that guy lives. With no money to hire a private investigator, I focused on my oldest. Gleefully, I informed him of his upcoming internship. I practically sung out the words, “Guess what? Momma got you an afternoon with a real scientist! We’re talkin’ Petri dishes, test tubes and white lab coats. Aren’t you pumped?” In my head, Reese would immediately fall to his knees, praising me, his sainted mother, for all of my effort. What really happened was this: The kid looked at me funny and snorted. “Moooooommmm. I don’t want to be a scientist. That was sooo last week! I want to be an astronaut now.” Seriously? A spaceman? Who knows them…? *Sigh.* After canceling the laboratory play date, I pondered my own lot in life. Even though I’m not famous (or even a veterinarian), if I really think about it and squint my eyes just right, most of my dreams really have come true – especially the superhero gig. Honestly, what mom doesn’t have a cape flowing underneath her street clothes? As for my future astronaut and dinosaur hunter? Well, I think they’ll find their own way just fine. Even without my help. And should they falter, I’ll be right here to give them a boost. After all, if I can grow up to be Wonder Woman, then the sky is the limit for them, right?
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Jane Suter is an award-winning writer and mom of two very energetic boys, one in kindergarten and the other in second grade. Born in Chicago, she is proud of her Midwestern roots. MI CHILD MAGAZINE | MAY 2012
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