Grief and Gratitude, Grok

[grok]

Popsicles and parenting today

D17, "Dad, take me to the store to get more shorts like the ones I found last week. Oh, and you said we could get more popsicles and I want to do something outside."
G, "OK, lets go in an hour. And yes, we do need to be outside for a while. S12, you are coming too.” He groans, but accepts a bribe of popsicles.

After getting popsicles (box x12 = 4 each), shorts, bird treats and misc., we headed over to a local nature preserve. I had noted months ago a table on the shore of a small lake a 5 minute walk from the entrance. Of course we ate one each on the drive over. Of course since it was hot we ate one each on the walk to the table. No one else there and a pretty view. Hot with a slight breeze and a little shade. Popsicles 3 and 4 each were promptly devoured. We noted they were small…shrinkflation taking its toll.

D17 wanted to talk about the kittens at the pet store a few weeks ago. They were cute but I said NO. Span of control for me is limited for now with our current arrangement.

D17, “S12 you should have been there to tell daddy to get them. Although the dogs might be a problem.”
G, “I’m not sure… a swipe of claws to the nose keeps the dog away…”
D17, “True, True.”
D17, “Well, I think I’ll want six kids, thee goats, three dogs, chickens, cats, um… and some more.”
S12, “What! You won’t be able to do all that. It’s too much D17.”
D17, “no, you just have to work hard and not be lazy!"
D17, “ I mean Daddy is taking care of and parenting three kids and like ten pets. It just takes work.”
And on they talked about number of children, creatures, and property sizes needed.

O Huh. No mention of Mommy in there. I said nothing and kept practicing my STFU skills. Don’t know quite what it means. It just stuck in my head.

D17, “Daddy, what is this new item on your calendar? “Parenting”
This was the mandatory parenting class required for divorces.
G, “Hmmmm. That is a class because the state makes single parents take a class in being a parent.”
D17, “That’s stupid. Why would that make you a worse parent.”

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