An Overheard Conversation

Greetings and welcome to today's random thought.

I overheard a troubling conversation the other day.  Actually the conversation was being retold to me by the wife but no matter.  But first, a little background for you.  We are sending the daughter to a private school this year.  Financially it is the wrong decision.  Actually it is phenominally the wrong decision.  We have cut out everything in order to afford this.  The school is a perfect fit for her learning style and even only being a month in the wife and I know it is really great for her.  We are now considering sending both children next year.  Well I considered it for about 10 seconds when I knew in my heart of hearts that there is just no way to cut corners anymore in the budget without selling an organ on the black market (you would be surprised what a healthy kidney will go for nowadays though).  Anyway, since this school only goes up until the 8th grade and since my son is the eldest of our children and since we can only afford to send one, it is likely that he will attend next year and the daughter will stay at home to be schooled.  She is very understanding about this even though she loves going to this school.  OK, moving up to my original point.

The wife was explaining the "one one kid can go" part of life to the daughter when the wife said something along the lines of, "Pretend that money does not matter, would you like to return to this school?"  It is not the second part of that conversation that troubles me, it is the first part.  I wonder how many times a conversation has started with these words over the course of history?  There are times that the wife and I are discussing matters of finance and as we weigh our options about a matter I immediately dismiss options that are financially impossible.  It is easy for me to dismiss these options and move on to the choices left after those are removed.  It makes complete sense logically.  The wife, however, does not dismiss these choices as easily.  Financial impossibilities are not impossible, just another hurdle to overcome (albeit a very high hurdle).  I think this is becasue deep down she has some all but forgotten conversation replaying in her head and the only part of that conversation is, "pretend that money does not matter."  Perhaps her mother had a conversation with her that started with a similar phrase.  I don't think I have ever considered things from this point of view.  This is akin to the "if I hit the lottery" type of daydream that some folks have (I have never played the lottery so I know winning to be quite impossible, although not that different from the odds if I actually played).  I cannot even bring myself to think of things through this lens.

Perhaps this is some sacred knowledge passed down from mothers to daughters for generations.  "Honey, some day you will grow up and fall in love.  The man you marry will at times shackle you with logic and reason using only the possible when considering your options.  Do not fear, simply do not accept his arguments that are based on money.  Always think of what you would do if money were no object and then work towards getting him to that option.  He loves you.  He wants to make you happy.  He will find the money.  He just needs a motive."  We men need to get with our sons and start a defence for this line of thought.  I have made a mental note to speak with the son on this matter.  To coach him on the falacy of this and to teach him to stay strong.  In the end though I think it will not be enough.  Women are just too tenacious and I have no doubt that somehow (goodbye kidney) the son and the daughter will attend this school next year.

Thanks for reading my Random Thoughts.

Jon