When your kids use your words against you

Whether a spontaneous insight into reality, or just a child being funny—kids say the darndest things.

When your kids use your words against you

When your kids use your words against you 1024 768 Looking out Loud

This is Daily Dadspeak—daily reflections on becoming a dad, while still growing up myself. You can find the full mini-pod audio list here.


This morning I walked my kids to school for the first time in a couple of weeks. We’ve been grabbing the car recently because of the windy, sub-zero temperatures.

But today it was a balmy 32°, just barely freezing, so we walked. I had really missed these walks and I was looking forward to it. But since we were in the two-week habit of hopping in the car, we left a little later than we should have. And since we hadn’t walked in a while, we took our time and enjoyed it.

As we were getting near the school, my oldest kid mentioned with a big smile on his face that it was the first day of February. His birthday month.

I said that I was exciting about his birthday. Then I added that February is a short month, so we’ll have to really enjoy and appreciate every day.

A minute later I noticed we were cutting it close on time. So I said that we needed to pick up the pace. Without losing a beat, my youngest looked up and said sarcastically, “But Daddy, we can’t go fast, we have to enjoy these moments.”

Now, had that been a spontaneous insight into the nature of time and reality, I would have been awestruck. But he said it to be funny, and it worked. I laughed out loud. Still, you have to admire the connection.

So, we found a happy medium pace for that last stretch. And they made it to school on time. Barely.

This moment was also a reminder that, even when it doesn’t seem like it, your kids are always listening, for better or worse.



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