Mom's Learning Block

Lego block, that is.

I have discovered a serious learning disability I have. It surprised me, since I'm a pretty creative person. I write, I create, I scrapbook. I have a very vivid imagination.

But I can't build with Legos.

Little Man is way into Duplo blocks--the bigger, chunkier version of the tiny building blocks. He likes to build "tall towas" (tall towers) and "hosses" (houses). So to encourage this behavior, Husband and I purchased him several Duplo theme sets--a racecar set, a farm set--along with a couple of real Lego sets we build with him.

Only I can't do it.

I have to think really hard about it. I have to study the instructions to put each of the itty bitty projects together. I can't have any interruptions or distractions. So, you know, doing it with a two-year-old is a total breeze.

So far I've built a tiny dragon, a Harry Potter potions chest, and a fire truck. The fire truck almost did me in. I was following the directions just so, when on the third step, they just stopped.

"This set is defective," I told Husband. "The directions stopped, but I just have the base of the fire truck."

"You're supposed to use your imagination. It's open ended," Husband replied with a raised eyebrow.

I freaked out. "But how am I supposed to know I'm doing it right?"

"There's no right way. That's the point."

Hurumph. I like doing things the right way. However, I do realize this is not the point of building with Legos. Don't worry...I'm not the mom who corrects her kid when his Lego house looks like a Picasso creation. I encourage him to make more. I love his buildings. I take pitures of them and send them to my family.

I just can't seem to do it myself.

I eventually finished the fire truck. I was exhausted afterwards. And I was very relieved when Little Man wandered by and said, "Ooo! Fire truck! Wee-ooo-wee-ooo-wee-ooo!"

I think life was easier when it was all banging sticks against trees.