<p>In my house, taking out the trash without being asked would be considered a miracle right up there with parting the Red Sea or the Second Coming!</p>
<p>We have no school today, and want to know what my "Mr. Macho", computer geek, soccer goalie is doing right now? Playing out back with the day care kids. He asked if he could take the 16 mo out with him. Actually, that is how he spent most of his summer -- soccer practice, IM'ing friends, and playing with the toddlers/elementary school kids. Will any of this day care stuff show up on his college ap? You've got to be kidding! But he's happy, and he's learning a lot about young kids. And he has them all raking leaves (except the 16mo old)!</p>
<p>Peggy, I think he SHOULD put the daycare kid playing on his college ap - certainly it is more genuine that what many kids include! And what a great experience and so much fun. I wish more adolescent boys had childcare experience. They'd become better daddies for it!</p>
<p>Heavens, yes, Peggy - the patience, tolerance, organization and leadership that demonstrates. He probably doesn't see it that way - he's just having fun with the babies - they'll likely end up rolling around in the pile and burying "big brother", but what a wonderful essay, what super qualities that shows about him.</p>
<p>It is awesome to see in the summer. About 10:00, the older kids start asking when Chris is going to get home from soccer practice "so he can throw balls at us". And his first question when he gets home from school is "Where's Baby?" (our nickname for the youngest) (who just wiped her nose on my arm . . .)</p>
<p>I would love for him to do his essays on this. To be honest, he's a good kid, very smart, but there is nothing that is going to make him stand out from all the rest of the "very smart, good kids". But I'm not sure he is secure enough to admit to the world what he does :)</p>
<p>One more story, then I'll give the thread back to the original poster. One day last summer, he was supposed to be raking cut grass. I looked outside, and there were three elementary kids raking grass with him, and three toddlers picking up piles of grass and putting them in the wheelbarrow! And everyone was having a blast!</p>
<p>Moral of all my ramblings: It's OK for them to just relax, enjoy life, and be themselves. Even if it doesn't go on the college application.</p>
<p>I have two in HS. My D is in a million clubs and activities, the busier she is the better. My S is your typical poker playing, IMing, hanging around the house kind of guy.</p>
<p>One day I asked my D about who was joining the clubs she is active in and all she named were girls. I asked "Aren't there any boys in these clubs" to which she replied (insert rolling eyes and sarcasm) "MOM, girls are joiners, boys aren't".</p>
<p>Anxiousmom and Peggy, I think you both sound like you are raising wonderful young men -- the kind I'd want a daughter to marry, if I had a daughter! LOL.</p>