The season for student stories is beginning. By now, they are comfortable with their new personalities and things a child wouldn’t have said last week let alone six months ago pop out of their mouth….

Today I helped a student work through an argument he blew out of proportion. As we talked through it I told him that a sincere statement of making peace with the other student was necessary. So, as we walk the halls to the classroom I ask him if he knows what he’s going to say. He shrugs and grumbled something incoherent. 

I can tell he needs encouragement. So I say, “It’s easy you just say something like ‘Yo about what happened earlier. I could have handled it differently. I’m sorry.” 

He stopped in the hall and adamantly said, “I would never say ‘Yo.'”

That makes sense. I said, “Of course you wouldn’t I’m 50. You’re nine.” 

I could have blown him over with a feather. When his words came back to him, he said, “I didn’t know you’re that old.” 

In fairness I rounded up. But to emphasize my understanding of our differences, I added, “I was there when gum was invented.” 

That was the icing on the cake. 

I pulled the other student out of class and before I had time to explain the kid apologizes. The friend expressed understanding and apologized. (This is all done without any coaching from me)  They walk arm in arm to class and the first kid says, “You are not going to believe how old she is.” 
And in that moment I learned the power of being old. It shocks kids into forgetting their grievances. If it wasn’t so funny my feelings might have been a little hurt.