The library closed in early March.
We finished our bedtime reading book a few weeks after and tried – unsuccessfully -to find another title to read.
Judy Moody was “too boring” for the 10-year-old.
Percy Jackson is “boys stuff” according to the 7-year-old.
Chuck Klosterman went over both their heads.
Finally, after running out of options on the bookshelf, a trip to Target for toilet paper and new running shorts involved both kids agreeing on a book to listen to before bed.
I’m not sure if they’re too old to be read a book before bed since both can read but it’s one of the dad jobs I want to hang onto for as long as possible.
Kids absolutely judge books by the cover and the 10-year-old gravitated towards The Strangers.
“How about this one?” he asked, handing it over.
I read the synopsis out loud.
“The Greystone kids thought they knew. Chess has always been the protector over his younger siblings, Emma loves math, and Finn does what Finn does best—acting silly and being adored. They’ve been a happy family, just the three of them and their mom.
But everything changes when reports of three kidnapped children…”
And I stopped and said “ok, nah, how about something else…”
The 10-year-old asked why I stopped and the 7-year-old just stared.
I know why I stopped. The kids are dealing with enough – pandemic, no school, moving – and don’t need to added child abduction as another reason to not sleep at night.
The 10-year-old knew why I stopped. He’s the King of worry.
“I want that one,” he pleaded.
“Yeah, me too,” said youngest, not understanding but backing up her older brother for once.
So I bought the book.
Sometimes, the kids are more adult than their father.
***
Other Stuff I Did When I Wasn’t Writing On Notes
I started a podcast about the running life with my friend/co-worker Nick called We Run This. Our first two episodes are live. Please listen and subscribe on Spotify, iTunes or check us out on YouTube.
These musicians spent quarantine learning to play songs on appliances and the results are awesome.
I wrote this piece about an insane but real tale about a lie that a girlfriend told her parents about her boyfriend and I’m still shaking my head over the story.
And that’s about it.
Stay safe out there.
Chris
***
PARENTING NOTES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED
- Parenting Note #726: Going Through The Emotions
- Parenting Note #725: The New Normal
- Parenting Note #724: Giving Up
- Parenting Note #723 – Covid Slide
- Parenting Note #722 – This Is Nothing Like ‘Groundhog Day’
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