March 2026 SOLC–Day 27
A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow.
http://www.twowritingteachers.org

Thanks for this slice’s inspiration goes to someone who earlier this week wrote about asking their first grade students the question, “What’s the hardest thing about being a grown up?” (Yes, I’ve already forgotten who! Sorry! If you read this, please let me know!)

Yesterday morning, we were gathered at the rug for our Morning Meeting, and had just finished our greeting. It was time for our Share. Sometimes I ask a “Would you rather?” question or maybe have them to share a thought or an idea about something. Yesterday, I asked,  “What’s the hardest thing about being a grown up?”

I pulled a popsicle stick and J’s name was pulled to go first. He can be a hesitant participant, but not on this morning.

“Well, if you work in a school, everyone doesn’t be that good, so you have to deal with it and not get much money.” 

I wasn’t sure I’d heard the last part of what he said correctly. “Can you repeat the last part of what you said, J? I couldn’t quite hear you.” I said.

“Teachers don’t get much money,” J¹ said.

“Oh, yeah, teachers don’t make any money,” another kid commented sagely. A few more nodded. I shifted uncomfortably.

We moved on, and the next student² commented, “Well, my dad always says, ‘I don’t like work. I’d rather be with you.’ Oh! and they have to pay taxes.”

We kept moving around the circle. Every student was invested in answering. No one passed.

“Well, kids don’t listen. You need to respect your guardians. That means your parents,” M³. said.

“You have to pay the bills or take care of kids. And you have to go to work, and pretty much a lot of stuff that kids don’t experience.”

“They have to work and can’t ever buy what they want without their kids wanting to come, too.”

“They have to pay for all the fun stuff for their kids.”

“Taking care of kids because your kids are a lot of work,” said R⁴.

On and on we went, each student taking turns to share their opinions. There were lots of comments about having to work and having to pay for things. It was interesting to hear how often taxes came up. As I said to my husband later that night, “I’m 100% certain our kids would never have had a clue what taxes were when they were in second grade!”

Next week I plan to ask them, “What’s the hardest thing about being a kid?” Stay tuned!

1. Later that day J was yelling out “Chicken butt!” during a lesson. ↩︎
2. This is the same student who earlier this month said, “I want to be a beaver when I grow up!” ↩︎
3. At recess a teacher pulled M aside to help her work through a conflict she was having with another student. In a nutshell, M. said that if someone teaches someone to do something and then they do it incorrectly, it’s the teachers fault. The teacher said, “So, if someone teaches you to write, and you choose to write on a bathroom wall, it’s the teacher’s fault?” “Yes,” she insisted. As you can imagine, this was not the only conflict resolution discussion she’s had during recess. ↩︎
4. I won’t go into details, but R. definitely knows what she’s talking about on that one! ↩︎