I was having a conversation with my 13yo, about his grandfather and some conversations that they had in the past.
My son said to me that grandpa thought the only reason that their house didn’t burn too, was because of the double-glazed windows. This surprised me, I wasn’t aware that my son knew what double-glazed windows were.
I was right – the next question was – “mum, what are double-glazed windows?”
I then explained to him that double-glazed windows are two sheets of glass with air in between, held in the window frame, so that the two pieces don’t touch and the air in the middle is like a cushion, that stop s the house getting too hot or too cold and during the fire it did the same thing.
Mstr13 then pipes up and says, “Yeah, that’s what grandpa said. He said single-glaze windows cracked and then the drapes (USA speak URRGGHH) caught fire and then the house burnt.”
Mstr13, then went on to say that Nanna burnt her fingers when she touched the window frame, when the fire was outside.
I knew these things, but had never discussed them with my children, I didn’t want to scare them anymore that I did that Sunday/Monday when I went to Marysville.
As it was Mstr13 was nearly suspended from school, for checking his mobile phone during class on Monday, thinking that I may have called. It took some quick talking with the school to avoid that.
This conversation has only come to light in the last week. I’m not even sure why or how.
Children are constantly thinking and talking, you’d be surprised, don’t think your children don’t want to know, they do, share your knowledge, it might save their life one day.
Absolutely!
ReplyDeleteEvery little morsel is ferreted away in the back of their minds and will suddenly pop out when it's needed.
Jayne - I know kids can remember when the dinosaurs were around (at the most inappropriate times!) It just didn't dawn on me - that a) he had discusses this with my father and b) that he remembered it.
ReplyDeleteI suppose what I'm alluding to is that even though we were in the path of the fire (he hasn't dicussed that yet) that he has taken this in and perhaps sometime in later life, will use this information to make decisions, that are hopefully life-saving.
Mstr13 always enjoyed going to to Marysville from the minute he could dress himself, and would wander around the town, the townspeople knew him because of the parents dog.
Now he wanders around the town, and he says it seems so much smaller than before (the fires)
He has made comment about the houses that burned, but not why - I suppose this is the first reference to that.
Don't know - thanks for the comments
Kids are just sponges for all sorts of information and you never know until suddenly they do something that reminds you of yourself!
ReplyDeleteGreenstone Gril - you are right. Kids are sponges. I suppose I just never thought this sort of thing would be of interest and therefore bypass the brain all together, but obviously not!
ReplyDeleteI just hope he never has learn a lesson the hard way - and I'm glad my parents, his grandparents are around to tell the tale. Marysville was a hideous place that night and still a sad place to be, especially if you've decided to remain and face the aftermath.