I spend my work days almost exclusively with children and no adults, so sometimes I’m tempted to have a more intellectual conversation than they are capable of having.

After reading this segment of a larger article on how pioneer children entertained themselves….

Kid: “Ok…but then what?”

Me: “What do you mean?”

Kid: “How is that a game? They’re just swinging a button.”

Me: “Right…well. I think that’s the point of the article. To compare and contrast how pioneer children entertain themselves with how children entertain themselves now.”

Kid: “Oh my god. I feel so bad for them. They must be so bored!”

Me: “Ironically and interestingly, I don’t think they were. Because they had to work harder to entertain themselves, they were probably better at it and more content than today’s children. Having to work harder for your entertainment makes you appreciate it more.”

Kid: (blank stare)

Me: “Ok, never mind. That might have been a bit over your head.”

Kid: (blanker stare)

Me: “Sometimes I overanalyze and put more of a psychological spin on these things than is necessary.”

Kid: (blankest stare)

Me: “Let’s get back to the article. What was the main idea?”

Kid: “Pioneer kids’ toys SUCK.”

Me: “Ok…not exactly….”

Kid: “I’m going to send them some better toys!”

Me: “But…you can’t send pioneer children toys…”

Kid: “Because they live too far away?”

Me: “No…”

Kid: “Or maybe their parents don’t let them take stuff from strangers?”

Me: “Stop talking and put down the pencil.”