“Sorry, BUT I still don’t like you”

Being embarrassed by your kids goes with the territory. It has happened to me on many occasions (I’m not even including those involving sick....).

You can always rely on your kids to ‘not follow your lead‘. It’s basically because they don’t understand ‘little white lies’.

During a street BBQ with our neighbours, a regular yearly event enjoyed by all, we get on to the topic of cars. All very polite. In the interest of maintaining a positive dialogue - “Yes, your car is nice” I say to one neighbour, “I very much like the styling and often chat with my son about how we like it...” After a short pause... said son says “No you don’t Dad, you’ve never said that”. Please someone change the subject I pray as I feel the redness rising hoping to be swallowed up by the ground!

But nothing quite matches one experience with Grandparents. We had travelled to the Grandparents for the weekend. It was a Saturday morning, the Grandparents had needed some plumbing work to be done. A tradesman, friend of the family, was repairing a leak from a radiator. As things reach completion, my parents say “Thank you Dave, we really appreciate this”. My son, about three years old at the time, walks in “I don’t like you” he says totally out of the blue and with no particular reason. I’m mortified... “I’m so sorry I say” motioning to my son to apologise. “I’m sorry” he says....then after a short silence, he continues.... “But I still don’t like you!”

What can I say now. The tradesman leaves with a strained smile and a few embarrassed chuckles.

“To be honest he’s probably not wrong” says Grandad..... Maybe it had cost him more than he’d hoped.

Sometimes it’s better to observe than direct. I think when it comes to kids, you’ll always be the ‘directed‘. They clearly hold the power!