Necessity is the mother of invention
Necessity is the mother of invention, so they say!
I thought today I would share two small experiences of the process of lateral thought.
Hot Water Bottle (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Our kids had never seen hot water bottles before arriving in Australia. It is never that cold in Nigeria!
One evening during our first summer, I went to get ice-cream out of the freezer. Lo and behold, what did I find? A hot water bottle, chilling. Mr O Jnr 2 had applied what I think is great logic – if a hot water bottle full of boiling water kept a person warm in winter, surely the same thing filled with ice would keep one cool in summer! Problem is freezing rubber is not too good for the rubber. I just couldn’t fault the thought process!
A couple of weeks ago I was rudely awoken by the damn alarm clock arose from my slumber and staggered danced to the kitchen to make that first coffee of the morning. I found myself pouring brown water into my coffee cup. WTF??? Hmmmm – this brown water smelt suspiciously like Milo.
Later in the day I checked with Mr O. “YES!” he exclaimed! He had experienced the same thing when he was having breakfast.
Not only that, I could see the streaks down the jug from someone trying to tip Milo into the jug.
ALL denied having put Milo in the electric jug. Well, SOMEONE did. Milo doesn’t relocate itself!
About a week later one of the four managed to summon the courage to admit, yes, it was her. Again, I have to admit the idea was probably not so bad.
I’m wondering if I have a couple of budding inventors on my hands. This is just TWO examples. I will leave you with that thought.
at least they think outside the box
My kinda kids!
I’m just curious, do you still experience remnants of Yoruba culture in the kids for example;
1. The guys postrating to greet their dad and the girl kneeling.
2. Never using their left hand when dealing with adults because it’s disrespectful.
…….and there’s probably lots more.
Kids adjust fairly quickly to local customs.
As for the girls kneeling, the one time a visitor insisted on it (I had never seen such a thing) I was horrified. It was a culture clash for sure.
No daughter of mine will be subjugated like that. While many cultural aspects can be accommodated on both sides, that is just one I can’t accept. I am not one that believes all traditions are good. Some should be left behind. That is one of them.
Aaah! I’m not surprised.
They’re lucky to be young. There was a time I would spend about 30 minutes trying to draft an email of just 4 lines to my British supervisors, not for grammatical reasons but for silly things like:
Do I start with “Dear madam” or just say hi?
Am I being disrespectful to call her “Dear”
Will she be offended if I just write her name as Linda without the title prof?
and I’m still a young guy myself.
Let me share an experience of mine. When I moved here from New Zealand in 1974 and decided to stay, the next thing was job hunting. In New Zealand at that time, where I came from, it was still Miss Dunphy, Mr Stockwell, etc and work. I called my mother’s friend Mrs Croft.
When I rang a job agency here in Australia the girl on the other end of the phone called me by my first name! I was HORRIFIED!! How dare she, she had never even met me!
Australia and New Zealand are a three hour flight apart – yet SO different!
Clever stuff. What’s Milo?
You too! That’s two unfamiliar with the wonder of Milo! Here is a link! http://www.milo.com.au/
Kids certainly know how to think outside the box!
I’m curious what is milo?
I’ve added a link in the article, but here it is just for you! http://www.milo.com.au/ A hot drink the kids (and Dad) consume by the kilo!
You were lucky it wasn’t porridge!
Now THAT is a very good point!! OMG – the thought!
better not give them ideas!
Who knows? You certainly have kids that think differently. I would never think of a hot water bottle in the freezer, but it makes sense, if it keeps you hot it should keep you cold too.
Just goes to show they have survival instincts I think – faced with a problem, they find a solution!
Wow, I’ve been reading some of your blog posts and I love your story– it’s so unique. I’m amazed at your bravery and perseverance throughout. Keep writing, I am eager to hear more!
Thank you very much!
I’m with them I’m afraid