Fight Robots Not Babies

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Have you ever seen the movie “The Incredibles” or its sequel?


If so, you might understand what I mean when I say kids are like the giant robot Mr. Incredible faces when he is unknowingly working for Syndrome. 


What a statement. Where am I even going with this?


The robot in the movie is programmed to get smarter over time, so the longer someone fights it, the greater the chance the robot will learn how to defeat its opponent. More time makes for improved learning and understanding.


Kids are the same way.


Well, except for the part where we’re not trying to shut them down before they kill us. Except for those days…you know the ones.


And all the parents said, “We do.”


Here’s what I mean: as kids grow, they learn more. They observe more. They take in their surroundings on a deeper level with newer understanding. While they are not working to put their parents out of commission, they are making incredible strides of knowledge every day. Some of those gains are easier to celebrate than others (haha), but all are victories of growth and learning. 


Playing with the sound machine is fun. I cannot reach it where it currently sits. Hmm, maybe I’ll pull on the wire. Oh look, it fell down! Now I can turn it on by myself.


I’d really like to go outside, but Mom is sitting on the couch. I know! If I bring her shoes to her, maybe she’ll take me outside. As I meet new people, I must pay attention to their shoes so I can tell them I want to go outside.


The place my mom puts things into in the kitchen and they come out as bread or treats I’ve learned is hot. I know what going to the corner means. I’m learning that hot also applies to candles, fire, even the kind on the TV. 


And the list could continue.


So what’s the good news? 


Unlike the robot - who forces the “Supers” to work tirelessly to dismantle it and keep themselves safe - kids are not simply learning to make things worse. 


The longer they have to learn, the more of a person they become. While there are certainly things Liam has figured out that I’d prefer he not know how to do yet, I also love watching the sponge-like process of absorption as he figures out more of his world. 


All this to say, “The Incredibles” robot and kids. Same thing.


Well, sort of.


PS Liam and Jack-Jack looked uncannily similar. Anyone else agree?