Is a Fifth Grader Smarter Than You?

There is a game show on TV called "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" which we watch as a family because we have a fifth grader and really need to know the answer. The problem is that, so far, no contestant in the show's nearly two year history has indeed proven him/herself to be smarter than a fifth grader. (Apparently, they do not pull their contestants from the same intellectual contestant pool as that in which the "Jeopardy" contestants swim.)

Our fifth grader, Trevor, and his third and second grade siblings, often know the correct answers to the questions long before the contestants and they laugh at the silly reasons those people give for not knowing them. That's what the show is for...no one would watch if adults weren't constantly forced to confess to the world that they are not smarter than fifth graders. Trevor thinks his dad, who always has the right answers, should be a contestant so he can win us a million dollars.

Just because a person cannot remember obscure facts from a fifth grade textbook, does not make him less smart. We should ask, "Is a fifth grader smarter than you?" (Sad to say, based upon the guests that have appeared on that show, the answer for many of them may truly be "Yes.") The reason we pose this question is that precocious children who watch the show somehow get the idea that they know as much or more than adults. That's not a problem unique to this show, but is prominent in a host of others that Hollywood continually pumps out for kids to soak in. Parents are made to be the fools in nearly every sitcom and movie available for child-viewing.

Tonight, we were discussing the President's decision to have the Navy shoot a missile at the errant satalite that is rapidly heading toward our planet. Trevor naturally had his own ideas of what should be done to remedy the situation. I pointed out to him that actual rocket scientists have studied the problem and determined this to be the best solution. And he pointed out to me that one of the contestants on that show was an actual rocket scientist. Somehow, he seems to think that if those scientists could just talk to him for a bit, they could gain some new insight. Pride...

I wonder, how many times have I had that same proud attitude toward God? I've never literally suggested to God that if He had consulted me first, things would have been better, but my responses to situations may say it for me. I guess I need to take the plank out of my eye so I can see clearly to get the speck out of my son's eye. That's going to take some work. And prayer. We better all work on it together.