Thursday, March 25, 2010

The Trouble With Tickling

My husband and I have very strange pillow talk. Last night we got in to a discussion about the biological response to tickling, and how it does not match up at all with the psychological reaction. If you are anything like us, you do not like to be tickled. In fact, and I will speak only for myself here, but tickling is one of my least favorite things in the world. I might even say that I would rather be strapped to a waterboard than tickled for any length of time. So, why then is the biological reaction to tickling laughter? Laughter is associated with happiness and joy, yet it is the unintended reaction to the torture of tickling that is impossible to avoid.

Let's look at other responses to physical stimulation. When we are in pain, like say when we are pinched, we grimace or yell, or even vocalize an "ouch." These can all be compared to the growls, whimpers, or snarls from other animals when they are faced with the same physical stimulation. It seems to be the correct reaction to the stimulus. When we are aroused or the like, we let out a pleasurable moan or happy sigh, akin to say a purr. Again, the correct response to the pleasurable stimulus. But tickling?

Who can really say they LIKE to be tickled. If you do, I would really like to share at least a conversation with you. As I mentioned earlier, it is the closest thing to legal torture that I ever care to experience. So, why then do I laugh in seeming pleasure? We submit our children and babies to this torture, thinking that since they are laughing they must be enjoying themselves. Are they? I sure as hell don't. So, as I pontificated the question.... I found this on wikipedia.

Some evidence suggests that laughing associated with tickling is a nervous reaction that can be triggered; indeed, very ticklish people often start laughing before actually being tickled.

Charles Darwin theorized on the link between tickling and social relations, arguing that tickling provokes laughter through the anticipation of pleasure.[9] If a stranger tickles a child without any preliminaries, catching the child by surprise, the likely result will be not laughter but withdrawal and displeasure. Darwin also noticed that for tickling to be effective, you must not know the precise point of stimulation in advance, and reasoned that this is why you cannot effectively tickle yourself.

So, there you have it folks, the laughter associated with tickling is a NERVOUS reaction. So, the next time you submit your loved one to tickle torture, realize that the giggles and super cute grin you think you are receiving are more like the exposure of the intimidating jaws of a silverback gorilla, or the snarl of a Bengal tiger.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Important Things I Have Learned From My Son (Part One)

I may be a few things, and those things may fluctuate and change according to my interests. But first and foremost, and always and forever, I am a mom. I do not take this title lightly. With a position such as this, I not only get the blessing and honor to teach but surprisingly on a daily basis, I also get the gift of learning. I have learned more from being a mom than all of my classes of higher education and my years of living combined. I would like to take this opportunity to share a few of the bits of knowledge my son has bestowed upon me so far.

1. There is no such thing as too much patience, hugs, kisses, or goldfish crackers.
2. Silly putty does not come off of remote controls, out of hair, out of carpets, or off of furniture.... EVER.
3. "But MAAAHHHMA, little boys are suppose to get dirty!"
4. You will never be able to shame someone in to good behavior. Rewards work better than punishment. Not bribes, rewards. Get me?
5. You will never cease to be amazed when your son learns new things, even if it is something gross like picking his nose, or something WONDERFUL like learning how to read (which my genius four year old son is doing right now) or writing his name for the first time.
6. Always ask what a painting is before you assume it is the pretty little birdie you suspect. Almost always you will be wrong. That pretty birdie is in fact a man eating ice cream cone and how dare I assume otherwise.
7. The favorite stuffed dog, Rufus, is in fact a girl. Duh.
8. Learn to think before you say no. Sometimes the idea seems like a catastrophe at first, but it might just be the funnest thing you have ever done. (Exception being a slip-n-slide at age 27 and overweight.)
9. Pick your battles. Let the little things go. Who cares if he wants to eat his mac and cheese with his fingers. Little boys are washable.
10. Enjoy the ride. The downs can be just as educational and eye opening as the ups are fun.

more to come

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Time Well Spent

The number of definitions of what is "time well spent" is directly proportional to the number of people pondering the idea. In other words, if "T" equals what one considers useful spending of time and "P" equals the number of people asking the question, "did I use my time well or usefully?" than T=P. That is my math lesson for today. We will discuss more on a future date. Remember to bring your number two pencils and fresh and clean blue books. Class dismissed.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

A life in progress begins its progression...

To start a blog, at least for me, is a frightening adventure. But it is one that I truly wish to, at the very least, explore. I admire those who are so willing to put it out there for the whole world to see. I think maybe, I am just not cut from the same cloth.
I am not sure where this experiment will take me. I am anxious and excited to find out. It is important for me to get out of myself, though perhaps an introspective blog might be the very antithesis of that. I am beginning to see the liquidity of life. How it ebbs and flows and changes so restlessly. Being a creature of routine, and one who takes comfort in absolute sameness, this revelation is shaking me to my very core. Though there is a tiny spark of excitement in the idea.
I am curious to see what comes out as this transpires. I am sure it too will change as I do with the passing days. I am ready to start the journey.