My uncle asked me this not too long ago being funny. We were watching something on television and he looked up and said “I want a polar bear. Can I have one?” I laughed it off and thought that was that. After all no one would really want a polar bear and the kids know that you can’t have one. At least you would think so. Then on the drive up for our vacation a lone little fairy voice from the backseat asked.
“Can I have a polar bear, please?”
What do you say to that? I went on to explain that we live in a place that is very hot and polar bears don’t like hot weather. They prefer the cold weather and wouldn’t like it at our house. I was very careful about how I explained everything and thought that she understood what I had said. Now Maggie is four and she old enough to understand that it is too hot where we live.
She did actually understand that and asked me where polar bears live. I told that while I wasn’t 100% sure I was certain there were some in Alaska and I knew there were some in Antarctica but I wasn’t sure where else in the world. I told that was something that we would have to look up and find out, figuring it would be a great learning experience.
She had other questions and I answered them. Why she thought about polar bears during the ride is beyond me. She was the only child awake but I was like that on road trips growing up as well. After about thirty minutes or so she grew tired of the conversation and went back to listening to her book. I found myself laughing (to myself of course) imagining us trying to pen up a polar bear in the backyard. I mean can you just imagine? We live in the woods and while there is a lake nearby I’m certain it isn’t what a polar bear would love. The best body of water nearby is the swimming pool at the state park.
Four hours after the whole conversation we pulled in at my brother’s and unloaded the car. No one had gotten home yet for the day there but it allowed us to get unloaded, put our stuff away, and be fresh for when everyone did get home. Not one time in the five or six hours that we were waiting for them to get home was the polar bear mentioned. In fact we didn’t even bother to look up where all they lived. Although I did make a note of it on phone to do at some point.
My brother walked through the door and the kids went crazy. They were hugging, and all talking over one another when I heard in the clearest voice ever:
“We’re moving to Almasmka to live with the polar bears!”
That was how she said Alaska too. My brother just smiled at her and said “Oh, really. Well I will come and visit you all the time because I love the snow.” There are no words. Just none. So if you some crazy family with a polar bear as a pet don’t worry, that’s just us!
I live in a small Georgia town that you most likely have never heard of and I LOVE it! My house is more than full as I am a single mother of four & caregiver to my aging mother and uncle. Lover of all things Outlander. Goes to the beat of her own drum woman.
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LOL What a great story 🙂
Thank you so much.
The things kids think of are hilarious. It’s definitely a great memory and you’ve put it in print so it will be remembered and treasured. I would not want a polar bear but that’s another story, ha.
I don’t blame you for not wanting a polar bear but am curious about the story! They are hilarious and I hope when she is older and reads this she will remember the event as one of great joy. That is what she has brought into my life.
Maggie is absolutely adorable. The mind of a 4 year old is an amazing thing.
Thank you! She really adorable and her little fairy voice that sounds like a 45 year old sometimes is so great. She will threaten her brothers and he sounds so serious but her voice isn’t big enough for her yet.
Great story! Kids say the most hilarious things.
They really do and mine seem to pick up on some of the strangest things ever. They will quote a movie back to you in a minute which is both funny and scary.
It’s surprising what kids take in and repeat. Perhaps a stuffed polar bear?
I’m thinking a stuffed polar bear for sure. I am on the hunt for the biggest one I can find and then maybe a smaller one as well. One she can put int he corner of her room and the other she can hold. However my brother told me she could adopt a polar bear and I looked into it with worldwildlife.org and she gets a whole kit with a stuffed bear. That may be what we do and give her for her birthday which is in December.
Kids are so innocent.
They really are and I love that innocence about her.
I worry about the Polar Bears all the time. I worry about them not having enough food to eat.
After this event and some research we did I worry about them now as well. I didn’t realize things had gotten as bad as they are.