Where does common sense come from?

[Belle0101]

And where can I get some for DS11?

Don't get me wrong, DH & I love him dearly, he's an "A" student in school, the teachers always put positive comments on his report cards, he helps out at home, etc., but the poor kid is missing common sense.

Most recent example: we got home tonight, van is shut off, I'm getting out and he's just sitting in his seat looking out the window.

This isn't new behavior either, it's actually pretty typical for him.

Another day: it's cold out, light dusting of snow, he asks if he should wear a coat to go outside.

Love him dearly but I don't understand him.

 

[rcraw45425]

I think I have his twin sister, separated at birth! DD11 will frequently forget to bring in her backpack until it's late and she remembers to do her homework. She's also the child that actually does extra homework so she'll be ahead for the week! On Sunday the high here was around 40 with 20mph winds, we were plannign to visit some friends' farm to see the baby animals, I told her to wear something old so that she won't ruin good clothes. SHe comes out in Soffe gym shorts and a t shirt!

 

[fan_of_small_world]

Don't worry...it sounds like he's an engineer in the making !

Now, before anyone gets offended...my DDad is an EE and although he is brilliant, he is also somewhat lacking in the common sense department. Think absent-minded-professor type.

I remember him looking in the fridge one day for the butter. Couldn't find it to save his life. It was just in a slightly different spot than usual. I'd have looked around, assumed it got moved, whatever. No, if it wasn't where is was supposed to be, we must be out. And I can't count the number of times he headed to the grocery store without his wallet.

However, he is highly respected in his field, is called upon to solve extremely complex issues, and is truly a ROCKET SCIENTIST! (So, whenever I hear that "it doesn't take a rocket scientist to do blah blah blah" phrase, I just laugh to myself!).

 

[Angelrose]

Common sense and 11 year olds are not compatable. It's a simple as that. Cheer up, they do get it as they grow up.

 

[Sonya]

lol, I was kind of like this, not that bad but still. I really feel it is something that people are born with, you are either book smart or life smart. Of course you can learn common sense, usually the hard way. The freshmen I teach are a lot like this. When I say get out a piece of paper to take notes, go through my lecture, and someone will raise their hand "Should I be writing this down?" I think they are so used to people hand holding them through everything that they can't always think for themselves. Of course puberty and hormones could have a lot to do with it too!

 

[tjmw2727]

LOL - I am not sure it's common!

My dh has lots, but neither of his brothers do. My sis and I have it as did my mom but my dad - architect and sucessful not so much

My oldest dd is book smart beyond my grandest dreams but lacks it My loveable B student younger dd has hers and her sisters. Its not as common as I would like it to be - at least in my family.

A paradox for sure ~

TJ

 

[beagle744]

I have 2 like this. My DD 15 and my DS 10. The other day DD didn't have school so she was home by herself. When she does this she makes sure the doors are locked while home alone. Normally DD picks DS up from school and they walk home together. On this particular day DS was to walk home, call his sister from his cell phone to say he was heading home so she could unlock the door for him. DS calls and walks home. DD doesn't unlock the door. DS just stands on the front porch until my DH comes home 15 minutes later.

When I found out about this, I asked DD why she didn't unlock the door after DS called. She said she forgot. I asked DS why it never occurred to him to call DD on his cell phone to let him in rather than stand on the porch. He said, "I dunno."

 

[tiggerlover]

Sounds like my DS! I have been told by his gifted teacher and by his guidance counsellor that really smart children often lack common sense. I don't know, but from my observations of DS and some of his gifted friends they all lack commons sense....not sure if it is the intellectual part or the age (10/11).

 

[JoyG]

Where does it come from?

God gave it out in the "common sense line" and apparently my dh didn't get any either.

 

[lyzziesmom]

My dad used to always tell me, "For a smart girl, you sure are stupid." Book smarts are apparently inversely proportional to common sense.

 

[Hedy]

My dad used to always tell me, "For a smart girl, you sure are stupid." Book smarts are apparently inversely proportional to common sense.

Common sense and brains were separate lines, I think. (The Far side cartoon says it all.)

 

[fan_of_small_world]

Common sense and brains were separate lines, I think. (The Far side cartoon says it all.)

I'm not sure what this says about me, but I just knew which Far Side this would be even before I opened the link !

 

[minechuchie]

My DSis has no common sense at all. Sis is a deep thinker and very "book smart". Sis has several master degrees in engineering, give her any chemical problem she can solve it. Ask her how to get from point A to B no such luck. Sis just has a different way of thinking about things. Common sense is my thing...I guess that is why we are sisters. We help each other out. Terri

 

[Hedy]

I'm not sure what this says about me, but I just knew which Far Side this would be even before I opened the link !

I may or may not claim this should be on my tombstone...

 

[Aidensmom]

If you find out where to get it, please tell my mom. She was always telling me I lacked it too. I think it is just a normal trait of adolescents.

 

[DISUNC]

You must be born with it!!!!!!!

And no I dont think it gets better. I have a sister who had NO common sense as a kid...and now in her 50's with no common sense & hot flashes!

A example of this no common sense.....We lost electricity due to storms one day! She said, Why dont we just leave the light on in the Bathroom and the door open! This way we will get light!

When I explained to this 48 (at the time) year old woman....why this could not be done....she then came up with another brilliant plan to get light in the house......
"Why dont we just leave the Refrigerater Door open for light"!

 

[Belle0101]

You guys are killing me with your stories! I was beginning to think my son was the only child like this.

And that Far Side cartoon - I couldn't tell you how many times my DH has been trying to push a door open and I end up pointing to the sign and saying "p u l l, that means puuull, not puuush".

I don't know about the idea of him being an engineer or a similar type field. We've discussed different things and he keeps going back to wanting to work the fryer at Burger King, not that there's anything wrong with that, just not the best choice for a career.

One thing's for sure, raising children is never dull.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

My sister used to tell me that I got the book smarts and she got the street smarts. Unfortunately she's right. However I've gotten better now that I live on my own. I've been forced to pick up on common sense.

 

[fan_of_small_world]

...he keeps going back to wanting to work the fryer at Burger King, not that there's anything wrong with that, just not the best choice for a career...

Oh, thank goodness my DS8 isn't the only one...he occasionally says that he wants to be a fry cook like Spongebob

 

[RNMOM]

Yep, engineer material. I am married to an EE and he couldn't find his car keys yest. He used the back up set. (They were right on the top of his dresser! )