Fear of Math

Originally Posted October 14, 2011

I became aware of math as a result of my mother’s frequent admissions that she was not good at it. I grew up in the 70’s when it was still a given "that girls weren't good at math" so by the time I finished high school I had long been convinced of my mathematical short comings and had said it aloud about myself so many times it had become a fact. 

Looking back now I realize how many choices I made in life to avoid math at all costs. I recall a conversation with my mom about wanting to be an interior decorator and having clients give me the key to their resort vacation home, a blank cheque and say “Do what you want, take all the time and money you need." A big dream quickly kicked to the curb when I found out: "You’ll need math for that.”  A phrase that stopped quite a few ideas from getting to square one until finally I made sure an absence of math was the first qualification for any career choices.

I choose to do things immersed in language and have managed quite well but my math inadequacies and fear of numbers are never far away. I vividly remember being pregnant and one of my first thoughts was “How will I help her with her math homework?” Fast forward eight years and sure enough it takes me longer to correct my daughter’s math homework than it takes her to do it.

I have lost two jobs (within days of starting) due my lack of number skills, my husband likes to poke fun at me when I struggle to work out a tip on a dinner bill and for the short time I was in charge of household finances we nearly ended up homeless.

So...when my daughter was first introduced to math in school I just expected her to say it was hard but she loves it and I am thrilled, I was convinced that FearofMath was a genetic condition.

Both my kids are quite capable with their growing math skills thanks to Bright Minds and they are developing a curiosity for it, the way I did with language. Even if they don't chose a career steeped in numbers at least the doors that were locked for me will stand open for them.