And the nerds shall inherit the Earth

In 2010 I was forced to take a computer programming class as a pre-requisite for library school. Surprised? So was I. Why would a librarian -- let alone every incoming student to library school -- need to learn how to code?

Turns out that working with large information systems requires some degree of computational thinking. Shocker. Unfortunately, I struggled through computer programming and only made it through with the assistance of a wonderful freshman who took pity on me since we were pretty much the only two girls in the class.

Kenia, my computer programming godsend. 

To wit, I was not a programming prodigy, but I did learn some things in that class and in the intervening years since. One of the most important things I learned is that I want Aidan to know how to program. I've come to think it's one of the essential skills, like typing or knowing a second language, that his future job market will require.

The problem is that teaching Aidan anything can be a challenge. He is stubborn, easily distracted, and his work ethic leaves something to be desired. But for some reason, computer programming lights a fire underneath that kid. He wants to do it. Last Sunday he spent a total of three and a half hours on code.org. Last night we coded for half an hour before bed. This morning he coded for 45 minutes before school. Most encouragingly, he's pretty good at it. If he solves problems before I do, I just assume's right. Because he usually is.

This means a lot to me because I believe in a parenting theory called "compensation." Compensation basically says that life is going to get really, really hard for your child at some point, probably junior high and high school. Kids get teased. They get acne. At some point, they'll get their heart broken. What makes them feel, at that point, that life is worth living is confidence derived from something at which they excel. That thing can be nearly anything: sports, an instrument, dance, theater, lawn bowling, whatever. As long as they love it and know in their gut that they're good at it.

I've worried that Aidan hadn't yet found that thing.* He's good at school, but that doesn't quite seem to fit the bill. He doesn't have a great love of sports and music lessons have been touch and go. But I think computer programming is something he could be really good at if he chooses to stick with it. And unlike my childhood love of volleyball,  it's something he could turn into a marketable skill as well.

So I will keep encouraging this hobby. I'll stress to Aidan that programmers are the new rock stars and point out all the ways they make our world better. When he's old enough, we'll watch Hackers and the Social Network.  Whatever makes him know at 14 that he's awesome and worthy and primed to take over the world someday.


*Lest you thing I'm stressing prematurely, compensation becomes important around eleven. Aidan is nine.