The Cito is stupid
“That is not a girl, that is Ali B.” The kindergarten teacher and I go through the Cito test that my youngest girl did not do so well according to Cito standards. That my girl can name all the planets in order (“Except Pluto, mom, that one doesn't count anymore”) and could read at four years old, doesn't matter for a moment. In the Cito, she pointed to a little figure with a blue sweater and curly hair at the neck as a BOY. As a BOY. The idea. “But teacher,” I mumble. “Boys may not have looked like this when the Cito was conceived (in 1880), but this is normal. For a boy.” I did not agree.
I call friend F for some much-needed support among mothers. Smart move, because she also had some Cito frustration over the years. Her daughter saw a Bakelite phone, at least a receiver and a base, and had to say what was missing. A cord. Ah! You know, one of those things from the Pleistocene. That your mother has an iPhone 6 doesn't matter for a moment, this is a blunder in Cito test land.
Another thing. The kettle. Our children don't know it. We have an electric kettle or at least a Quooker. Who still has a kettle? Those are the people who have a cuckoo clock. Our children didn't know that either. She knows all the planets. And the international alphabet too and yes, she can also count to 80 and back. But that doesn't matter for the Cito company. I sigh and sign that report. For seen. Not for agreement.
