The Jerk
Oct 24th, 2007 | By Chuck | Category: Humor Central, Papa Prattle
One Saturday this summer my family and I were visiting a friend. The day was really nice. BBQ in the backyard, billiards in the basement, a good time. The only problem was my twelve year old daughter was being a bit moody and giving me lots of attitude as a result.
One particularly difficult exchange between the two of us left me following her upstairs at which point I muttered, “Jerk”, under my breath. Not brilliant on my part, especially because she heard me. I don’t know how she did, but she did and it resulted in her tears and me feeling like a rotten dad. I apologized many times and thought the incident was behind us.
Fast forward several months and my daughter and I are finishing up dinner, the last two at the table. Somehow our conversation led me to saying, “I hope I never do anything so stupid to keep you kids from visiting me on my death bed.”
She looks across the table and says that could never happen. She would visit me for sure. She then adds that she would even be there if I was so far gone to not even know she was there.
I was touched, and told her so.
She then said with a smile, “If you are unconscious I’m going to lean close and whisper in your ear, Jerk.”
Nice. It seems I’m forgiven but she isn’t likely to let me forget.
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that’s so funny. it reminded me of little exchanges that my father and i had. actually, i’m 38 and…we still have little fights and i still pull attitude on him. i guess, some things never change!
Melissa - Thanks for commenting! My daughter and I have a pretty good relationship. I’m glad she knows that she can joke around with me. Er, it was a joke…wasn’t it.
So funny - just goes to show that kids are resilient, but they don’t forget a goddamn thing — except to hang their jacket up when they enter the house.
LOL! I have three young daughters…I need to start watching what I say! Yikes man. I really need to stop saying…”little sh-ts.” under my breath.
Hi. I have four daughters so I guess I should be super careful -especially when they hit those teen years. Really like your site. The blogs are well written. Cheers
the radical blogger
your review can be seen at
http://myradicalblogs.com/?page_id=19
BusyDad, Joe and Les - thanks for the comments.
Also, the review is really appreciated Les. - Happy parenting guys!
I’m a new dad with just under 6 months under my belt. I’m already constantly fearful that my daughter will remember on some level of consciousness the things I say at 3 am after she’s been up for an hour shrieking her wee head off. NOt only did this post make me laugh, but it definitely carved out a deeper rut of paranoia in my psyche.
Let’s not even start on the lyrics to half my mp3s - let the content editing begin!
All kids, except for mine, are smart enough to know that adults say stupid things. Two weeks ago, I told my 10 year old, who was having problems finishing his homework: “This is bullsh*t!”
My 10 year old is now pushing the envelope with a new list of words he thinks he is allowed to use:
stupid
“effing”
bullcrap
freakin’
retarded (in Boston, retahded)
dang
My one slip up cost me 6 borderline words from my son! Oh, that and I dropped an F bomb the other day.
Excellent post!