Set theory: Practical application

Today’s a good day to stretch the project management and set theory muscles.

Grandboy was feeling overwhelmed by the massive cleaning effort he was to do, so he did nothing. Actually he started making more mess.

So I asked him to choose one set of things to pick up and put away.

That’s all.

Just one set. We started with pencils.

Then I advised that I’d leave him to it and not watch. When he finished that set he could come out and show me his work.

We’re on set #8 now, the biggest one. Legos. But still going strong!

Unstoppable meets immovable

When an unstoppable force comes across an immovable object, an infinite amount of energy and noise is produced.

A real-world observation of this is when a littleun refuses to clean the bedroom and mamasan has taken notice of the situation.

Me: Your room is a mess.

Grandboy: I know, gwumpa. I clean it someday.

Me: Today is a good day. You should clean your room today.

Grandboy: Wellllll,… (excitedly) how ’bout Tuesday? Yes I clean it on Tuesday!

Me: …

Grandboy: What today is?

Me: If you’re cleaning your room on Tuesday then today is Tuesday . Let’s clean your room.

Grandboy: (thinks) But.. Um. Today’s a SPECIAL Tuesday. I don’t have to clean on special Tuesdays.

Momma: You’ve got ten minutes.