Hormonal Issues

Yesterday, my son tried to kiss his Chinese teacher at the school gate.

It was kind of a misunderstanding. At pick-up time, Wang Laoshi said goodbye in Chinese (Zai Jian) to Luke, to which he responded with “bye.” To make her point, Wang Laoshi turned Luke’s face towards hers and repeated, “Zai Jian, Guo Lu Lin (Luke’s Chinese name),” hoping that he would reciprocate in Chinese.

Luke reciprocated by pucking his lips and leaning forward towards Wang Laoshi’s…

(Wang Laoshi politely declined the favor and responded good-naturedly with, “how cute!” I think I saw Luke blushed.)

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Today after school, Luke brought up the issue of “friendship” when we were waiting for the bus home.

L: I think Laura likes me.

Me: (Wow, I’m so not prepared for this one.) Yeah? What makes you think that?

L: She’s always smiling at me.

Me: I see. Did you smile back?

L: No.

(Way to go, Luke…)

Me:  Well, if you try smiling back next time, it may be the beginning of a nice friendship. That’s how we make friends: when people smile at us, we smile back. And there we have a new friend.

L: Oh. Maybe next time. (yeah, sure mom…)

Me: What else did Laura do? (Hopefully nothing else…)

L: She always tries to sit next to me during snack time and talks to me.

Me: (Phew…) I guess she likes being with you.

L: I think so, too. (Well, who doesn’t?)

 

I thought these kind of conversations are not due to be raised until teenage years.