be careful what you say

I'm pretty calm most of the time. I have my share of patience. I've only lost it a few times. And when that happens I really feel like an idiot. Like some half-wit took over my body briefly. I'm not that guy. In times of patience being tried - at the hands of my sons and often on the cusp of bedtime - occasionally I'll say something stupid. Something like "no story for bedtime tonight" or "no t.v. tomorrow". I don't mean it. So they're a little goofy and light-of-hearing before bedtime. It's usually with considerable joy and laughter. What's wrong with that. So they go to bed five minutes later than I'd planned, five minutes more laughing. What the hell's wrong with that. Rhetorical questions don't get question marks.

So when I put my foot in my mouth, I usually regret it instantly. So I'll take it back. They know Dads aren't perfect. I can screw up. They're far too young to know just how badly I can screw up, but it takes a man to apologize. That's an expression, obviously. Woman, and children for that matter can apologize, but I think I made the point. So, you say something regrettable, apologize for it. Tell them you meant what you said about doing what you asked, but no, story time is not lost, t.v. time is not lost. They're kids, not robots. There should be some level of grace period. I'm not raising tiny Marines here, they're my children. I'm not "sir" and they'll never be beaten by their parents (some folks call it "spanking"). I deserve their respect but they most assuredly deserve mine as well. They're listening, just not always intently. Be careful what comes out of your mouth, and if you screw up like me, apologize and give them a good long tickle. They'll remember it.