Kids say the darnedest things...

[Peter B]

Not really a KSTDT story, but still I thought worth sharing.

12YOD and I were out for a walk after dinner last night. We live close to the edge of the city, so it's only a 10 minute walk to reach a fire trail which tracks around the backs of the last houses.

We were walking along the fire trail when we came upon an echidna beside the trail. Kangaroos are ridiculously common around the urban fringe and even into the suburbs, but echidnas? I've only seen two in the wild previously, and neither of them up close. So 12YOD and I had the opportunity to watch it for about 10 minutes from only a couple of metres away, as it wandered around foraging for ants.

And yes, one good use for smart phones is the ability to record video of stuff like this (and I'd happily share mine for those of you interested, if only I knew how!).

[Peter B]

Someone doesn't like maths...

All Australian school kids are required to do standardised testing in English and Maths in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9, known as NAPLAN, and it's happening at the moment.

At breakfast this morning, 12YOD informed me she had her NAPLAN maths test today. Then, she mournfully added, "...and I have a maths class too, and they're not at the same time!"

[Peter B]

14YOS and I were talking about vaccinations. The context was that all three of the kids (and my wife) have just had chicken pox despite being fully vaccinated.

14YOS: So, why are people opposed to vaccinations?

Me: A variety of reasons, none of them really good. Some people think the diseases aren't dangerous. Some people are worried about additives to vaccines. Some people prefer to expose their kids to the actual disease rather than the vaccine.

14YOS: I've heard that some people reckon the vaccines contain microchips to control everyone. Though that doesn't make sense, they could just put them in the  water supply...

Me: And anyway, people seem willing to control themselves with their addiction to social media...

We both look at 12YOD, whose head is buried in her phone.

She looks up blankly.

12YOD: Huh?