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Thursday, January 31, 2013

"CONDREY-ISH"

I love to read. Perhaps this is why my boys read at such an early age, why there are not enough bookshelves in my house to contain our library, and why Tanner's favorite place is Barnes & Noble. I don't often read fiction, but read to learn - which may explain how I came to be a teacher or why I can't seem to stop accruing student loans!

One of my favorite self-improvement books is "Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys", by Stephen James & David Thomas. It is, according to its own cover, "a practical guide to understanding the way, the mind, and the heart of a boy". It covers a wide range of topics, from the stages of a boy's life to the way a boy's brain functions. It describes how a father's upbringing impacts his relationship with his sons and their mother, and it is eerily accurate.

In one of the chapters, James and Thomas discuss the importance of the family name. They explain the pride a father has in his surname, and how he should present it to his children as such. I took this advice to heart, often telling my boys how "Condreys never quit" or "Condreys work hard to be smart". 

This evening, after having a heart-to-heart with Tanner, he looked at me and said, "Maybe your last name should be 'Condrey---ISH'." I asked why, fearing the usual candid answer. He replied, "Well, your brain doesn't have big ideas like mine. I'm a Condrey, and you're just Condrey-ish." Touche' my little wild thing, touche'.
 

3 comments:

  1. Condrey--ISH! I love it. Tanner does have big ideas. Hugs!

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  2. That is more than adorable-ish! He and Luke are always amusing....<3

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  3. Jennifer,

    I've enjoyed reading your blog. It is understandable why your Mom is so proud of you! I think it is an enjoyable way for people to learn about autism through your experiences and attain greater sensitivity and empathy that they previously did not have for behaviors in children (& adults) that they did not understand.
    Jo Ann

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