In the end, I had to appeal to his empathy, rather than his intellect, by having an emotional breakdown.
If anybody is curious how this conversation actually went, it was something like this:
Me: Hey, bud, time to get up for school.
Some back and forth whining and complaining.
Him: Why do I have to go to school?
Me: Well, René Descartes said, "I think, therefore I am." That means that people are thinking creatures. More than any of the other animals, we have the capacity for learning, and reasoning. And school is going to teach you critical thinking skills that will serve you well in your life and generally give you a more fulfilling life.
Him: I don't want to go to school!
Me, my voice faltering: Can you please just get out of bed and get ready for school‽ I just want to move on with my morning. Please, just give me a break!
Him, begrudgingly: Ok.
@danjones000 Sounds about right to me.
Here I am at 6am, sitting on the floor of my 8-year-old's bedroom, quoting René Descartes, in an attempt to convince him to get out of bed and get ready for school.
#Parenting