Michael is eight and in the second grade. I’ve watched him enter and depart many stages of development since he first came into my life. But lately things have been a little challenging, and I feel as though I have become the clichéd broken record: “Tie your shoes.” “Turn off your lights.” “Close your drawers.” I have been saying these things to him since he entered school, yet he still fails to remember these simple tasks.
In first grade, even though I had to ask for the same things repeatedly, he would do what he was told to do. Now, when queried, he provides a justification as to why it isn’t done or an excuse why he cannot.
Tie your shoes.
I forgot.
I did, but they keep coming undone.
I need new laces, these are too hard to tie.
I don’t like these shoes; I need a new pair.
I need to brush my teeth.
Will you do it for me?
Turn off your bedroom lights.
I forgot.
I didn’t know they were still on.
It was dark, and I needed to see.
I didn’t have a chance to do it.
I need to rinse out my cereal bowl.
Will you do it for me?
Close your dresser drawers.
I forgot.
There are too many clothes in them.
I didn’t know they were open.
I was putting my laundry in the basket.
Will you do it for me?
Put your dirty clothes in the basket.
I forgot.
I didn’t know they were on the floor.
The basket is full.
I was closing my drawers.
Will you do it for me?
Rinse out your cereal bowl.
I forgot.
I didn’t know it was still on the counter.
I was putting away the cereal box.
Will you do it for me?
I can report with absolute certainty that repeating the words “I’ve told you a thousand times; why can’t you remember?” serves absolutely no purpose.