You Don't Know About Me!

Kids are so funny and the thing that gets me is that often times we learn more from them than we can teach them. Our youngest Gabriel gave me a laugh – something I still recall and laugh about today – and taught me a lesson at the same time.

Gabe is 8 now but just before Beyonce’s song Irreplaceable was released in October 2006 – the ‘hook’ to that song is “you must not know ‘bout me” and the significance of that will be explained later - he had just turned 6 the month before and he and I were hanging out at home in Tennessee. It was just the two of us for the evening as the other three were out and about. We were in our upstairs family room on the floor plowing through about 3 board games at one time. Trouble, Monopoly, and I can’t remember the 3rd. So as we are playing he begins to pass gas. Yep that part is funny in and of itself but is not the really funny thing. After about three of these little 6-year-old mustard gas bombs, I tell him that clearly his body is telling him that he needs to go to the bathroom. He insists that he doesn’t and we commence gaming. About 5 minutes later the barrage begins again! After the 4th or 5th shelling, I insist that he go and relieve himself in the bathroom. He argues that he doesn’t need to go and I again tell him that clearly he DOES need to. Well he looks at me with those eyes of his and proclaims, “Daddy I don’t have to go to the bathroom, and you don’t know about me!” Oh my gosh, that comment took me so much by surprise that I belly laughed out loud for at least 3 minutes. He thought I was nuts but he didn’t go to the bathroom that evening and I guess he was right because nothing ruptured.

My takeaways from that night are two-fold. One is that I have a funny kid. He makes me laugh about something everyday. All three of our children are funny and that makes for some fun times around the house. Two is that I think it is vital that we “know” our children. I’ve made it my mission to be as connected with my kids as possible. To know what makes them happy, what makes them sad, what motivates them, and what their dreams are. Tough love is often necessary but it is not as tough I don’t think if you really “know” your kids and they know you and where you are coming from on things.

So back to Beyonce’, when that song came out a month later, Gabe instantly had a theme song. Too funny! I can’t hear that song without thinking about that night and being reminded of the lesson the evening taught me. Hey do you think Gabe is due any royalties for the song?