Janet Christie on parenting: ‘Men are stronger, on average’

“It’s a pity they’re not in the same place.”

Eldest Child is sitting at the kitchen table with Youngest.

“We’ll use our phones and Google maps. Boys are good at that. We have that kind of brain.”

I choke on my gin. “Oh really?”

“Yes. It’s a fact. It says it in that brain book that YOU gave me. And pointing out a difference doesn’t mean I’m saying one is better. Men are stronger, on average. I’m just saying, if a girl gave directions, they’d say it’s past that shop that sells whatever, then by the shop with the shiny display, but a boy would say, ‘go 75 yards ahead then turn left…’”

Youngest and I wait, eyes hard.

“Personally, I’d probably describe it the more female way because I don’t know what a yard is.”

I’m about to concede there may be gender differences, and say environmental and behavioural factors need to be considered, plus I may have a bit of a knee-jerk feminist reaction, when Youngest smacks him across the cheek.

“There. That’s for saying boys are stronger.”

Aw, bless. Why go to The Weeg when we’ve got Tiny Temper at home?