It all sums up to ignorance

I am a reasonably intelligent woman. I graduated from high school in the top 10 percent of my class. In high school I took both algebra and geometry and made good grades in each. In college I audited a remedial math course. I was in a car pool that didn't leave the University of Maryland to return to Washington until very late in the afternoon and it was better use of my time to refresh my math skills than to just sit somewhere drinking a coke. I did well in it and was always glad I took the non-credit course.

When I transferred back to the University of Missouri I didn't take any more math courses but I did get through a chemistry course that was required. So you can see that even though my stronger side is English, language, communication, etc. I wasn't a complete dummy in math.

So why is it so hard for me to help our 12-year-old with her math homework? I look at the problem and can't even understand what they are asking. It seems that a whole new vocabulary has developed since the few short years since I was a student.

Sure I still understand the words such as add, subtract, multiply and divide. But when the question explains the process I am lost. I will not even attempt to tell you what some of those confusing words and processes are. But I will tell you, that even though I can get the answer MY OLD-FASHIONED WAY I can't be a good tutor in helping her learn the process.

Since I am not using or understanding the same words, my best help is to keep quiet and just give encouragement.

This makes me realize that when we are "up on" a certain subject we feel very confident and smart. But nothing makes us feel more ignorant and helpless than to get involved in something in which we are not current.

Just as I wrote this line, an ad for Everybody Loves Raymond" came on the television. In the little clip of the show that was given, Raymond is telling his kids, "I may appear to be stupid but that is just my way to keep your mother from asking me to do stuff." Maybe if I don't learn the new terminology and process I can be excused from helping with the homework. But that runs the risk of appearing to be stupid in the eyes of my great granddaughter. I may have to decide which road to take here.

For years I got by with not learning to milk a cow so that I wouldn't be left with that chore when Lester was busy or away. I got by until our son became old enough to fill the gap when needed. I also have managed to avoid learning how to run the dishwasher in the church kitchen ever since we returned here in 1988. In each church that Lester served I often had to be the one who knew where everything was and how it operated. I told myself that I was through with that phase of my life. So I haven't learned about using this wonderful dishwasher, except to take the dishes out. That much I can do.

With the cow, I had the help of my son. With the dishwasher there is a church full of other women who may or may not have that knowledge. But with our girl with the math homework, sometimes I am the only one here. If it gets done she either has to try to understand it herself, not get it done, or ask for my help.

I'll keep trying. As I said, I am not stupid, but I don't think I am in the top 10 percent of homework helpers.