Today, Ben discovered a Youtube video for making origami Pikachu. (That’s a popular Pokemon for all you cave-dwellers.) It was very interesting to watch, for sure. But, that wasn’t what Ben had in mind. He wanted me to make it for him.

On one hand, the video made it seem easy. But, on careful examination (the kind of examination required when your kid is watching intently as you try to fold this piece of paper into a Pikachu), it wasn’t so easy after all. First, the video quality was poor. Just at the point of the important details, the digital image would blur. And the running time on the Youtube video is 7 minutes or so. But don’t think you can complete this in 7 minutes – that’s for an expert who is making the video. You should plan for the better part of half an hour.

In the end, we succeeded – Ben pushing the play/pause button and me folding. It’s all worth it when he smiles with excitement. And, if I’m being totally honest, I’d have to admit some pride as well.

The thing is that kids have a way of teaching you about the important things in life. And I don’t mean they teach you to have fun. It’s more than that. Ben’s lesson to me was this: Don’t just watch, dad. Let’s do it.

Indeed, let’s do it!