The scene: In the car, on the way to school.
The Boy: You know French, Mommy. Me: Not much. I only took French for a year. TB: My friend at school has had French for three years, cuz he’s six.(At this point, I understand exactly what the boy means, but I press on, nevertheless. It’s important for you to say what you mean and not force people to infer your meaning, right? At least that’s what I keep telling myself.)
Me: What does being six have to do with having had three years of French? You’re six, and you have not had three years of French. There is no one-to-one correlation between years of studying French and being any particular age. When you say “because,” son, you indicate at least a modicum of causality. Where is the causality? TB: But he started school when he was three. Now he’s six, so he’s had three years of French. He’s had three years of French cuz he’s six. Me: But you’re lacking causality, son. Being six does not necessarily indicate having studied French for three years. Do you mean he’s been studying French for three years? TB: Yes. Because he’s six. He started school when he was three, and he started learning French when he started school. He went through two years of Pre-K, and then kindergarten, and now he’s six. He’s had three years of French *dramatic pause* cuz he’s six. Me: Now that you have explained the scenario, I better understand the causality. You have to be careful with causality, kid.There is a reason I have friends who predict a legal future for the boy. Meanwhile, I’m doing my part to help him along. I never said it was easy being my children.
Roshaunda D. Cade 
RE: the last sentence, keeping the maternal tradition alive, eh? Seem to remember it not being easy to be someone else’s mother either. 😉
Wow. I have officially turned into my mother. I knew it was going to happen, but I never thought it would be this soon. Oh well. That’s not such a bad thing.