Everyone should have a role model. Role models inspire and motivate us to be the best person we can be. They share our values, and serve as examples of those qualities we ourselves would like to embody.

My son’s current hero, his favourite personality in all the world right now is Bob the Builder.

Up until about a month ago, I was still pretty sure it was me, but lately it’s become pretty clear that I’ve been replaced in his affections.

He still loves me, I know that, but he loves me more when I’m wearing his yellow hard hat.

He still smiles when he says “Mama”, but he is absolutely wracked with delight every time he says “Bob”.

I suppose that means Momliness is next to Bobliness.

I keep watching with him, trying to figure out the appeal, or at least discern which truly admirable characteristics his hero might be teaching him. I can’t figure it out. Bob’s a socially awkward enabler who doesn’t know how to say no, even when he should, and who will NEVER get the girl, because he’s too big of a dope to just act on his feelings. His best friends are his cat, and his talking construction equipment. I’m not sure this is the male role model I want my son to idolize.

Owen, in the meantime, has begun talking to all of his toys, and is starting to show some frustration at the lack of a response.

I suppose it could be worse.

I have a friend who’s son discovered his little boy bits at the exact same moment he discovered a set of Mister Potato Head eyes. She was at a complete loss as to what to do when her son called her into his room saying “Mama, come see what I can do!”

I remember her asking me “And just WHAT, as a responsible parent, was I supposed to do? He was so proud of himself, having jammed that little post right in, and all I could think was ‘…and I packed your angry eyes, just in case…’ Does that make me a bad mother?”

I think she did what any sane mother would do. Called her husband to come and talk to HIS son, then locked herself in the bathroom to laugh.

I, of course, would have taken pictures first. You never know if you’re going to need blackmail material down the line.