The Bad Handwriting-Genius Link

When my oldest two girls were young, we worked a lot on their handwriting. As a result, they have legible, attractive script. By the time the third daughter came along, I didn't spend as much time helping her with penmanship; consequently, she doesn't write quite as nicely. And if I were to be honest, I don't write as nicely, either.

So we were sitting around the table talking about the third daughter entering third grade. I said, "It's good that you'll work on your handwriting. I'm sorry I really failed you there and didn't have you practice as much as you should have." She looked dejected, so I added, "But don't worry, some of the most brilliant geniuses in the world have terrible handwriting!"

Without missing a beat, my eldest stated, "Like you, Mom!"

I burst out laughing.

"What?" she demanded.

"Well, I'm not sure if I should feel complimented or offended!"

My oldest looked perplexed. She didn't realize that it could be construed as an insult. "You say yourself that your handwriting is terrible."

"That's true," I admitted.

"I can barely read your shopping lists," another child stated.

"Well, it's a shopping list," I protested, "I'm scribbling fast!"

"Maybe you should work on your handwriting, too," they suggested.

"Fine, fine," I responded. "But you have to tell me--am I a brilliant genius?"

They just laughed. How am I supposed to take that?

Of course, I guess I said just about the same thing to my third-grader. Sometimes I should just keep my big mouth shut. That would be genius.