Could you maybe talk with him a little bit in general terms about how parents are around to help their children when they need it and can teach them things when the children would like to learn something? Maybe give examples that would be relevant to him, but not make any explicit offers to help. Maybe even make the examples about all sorts of things, academic and not, both past (e.g., helped him learn to walk) and future (e.g., can help you answer questions about words he doesn't know). Maybe even put in some reassurances that kids aren't supposed to know everything already and that no one, child or adult, knows everything. This would put it out there that you're available for help if he wants it, but keeps it in his control, which seems to be what he likes.
I feel for you. Sometimes our little ones don't like to let on that they don't know everything. It makes them feel vulnerable and incompetent. I was a child just like that, so I get it, I think.
Last edited by mnmom23; 06/04/10 08:42 AM. Reason: Add stuff
