Why my son won't go to University

A.K.A. I am a neurotic Mother

Someone innocently asked me if Owen had started rolling over yet.

Rolling over??? Huh?

I didn't know he was supposed to do that. Well I guessed that eventually he would be able to but I didn't know we should already be in training for it.

And all of the sudden, all my dreams of a lawyer/ NFL player/ part-time doctor for a son were dashed. He was going to be behind all his peers. The other babies in the "Mommy and Me" class were going to mock him as they casually rolled over- both ways! He was going to be three and still scooting around on his butt, refusing to walk. And worst of all he was going to refuse to potty train! I could see it now: Showing up at kindergarten with a sheepish look and a diaper bag over my shoulder.

I never imagined I would be one of those mom's who compared her child's progress to all the other kids. (Why I thought I wouldn't be neurotic is beyond me. It should have been obvious and inevitable!) But I guess I thought I would be one of those casual mom's who proudly exclaimed that he will do things in his own time and that I (read society, thank you very much) shouldn't be trying to conform him at such a young age: Owen is a free spirit. But of course, in my fantasy he was also casually reading Shakespeare on the potty at 18 months.

I guess I just really didn't want to answer the inevitable questions that always come; "So is he rolling over/walking/talking/composing symphonies yet?". And then I would have to say no and feel like I had to make excuses for Owen ("No he is too busy learning the Periodical Chart"). I of course realize that EVERY baby moves at their own pace and that the developmental milestones are just guidelines. But oh it's nice to have an over achiever!!

So after tearing up his Mensa application and putting away the "Baby Einstein" movies (for the 9 months old- trying to get ahead there too), I resigned my self to having to wait for him to figure things out at his own pace.

And then he rolled over.

HE IS A GENIUS!! I was so excited I screamed so much he almost cried. Realizing he may never do it again if I freaked him out, I quickly stopped screaming. He has done it a total of 8 times since Monday! Only one way- but please, don't pressure him. He is mastering the one way. He wants to make sure it's executed perfectly before moving along to the other direction. He is a perfectionist. Kids eh? All ways try to keep up with the baby Jones'...

I think I can tape the Mensa application back together. And I am pretty sure I saw something about early LSAT prep tests too...