Lessons From Junk Mail

E-Man: (perusing through a sale add reads) "75% off. Mommy, what does percent mean?"

Me: (a bit confused about how to explain this to a five-year-old) "Well, if you have a whole and you divide it into four parts, one part or 1/4 of the whole equals 25%, two parts or half of the whole equals 50%, 3 parts or 3/4 of the whole equals 75%, all the parts or the whole thing equals 100%. (thinking it is too confusing for him to grasp I add) It's okay if you don't understand it now, you have plenty of time to learn about percents later on."

That same afternoon we attended a star show at the Planetarium. Admittedly, it was a little boring. Part way through, E-Man asked, "How much longer until it's over?" I had no way to know so I just said, "It's almost over." He replied, "So are you saying it is 99% over? Because that is 1% less than 100."

I just hope he will use his powers for good, not evil, when he grows up.