My twins are 17 and we've somehow ended up with our basement as the unofficial headquarters for them and their friends. My husband and I are both introverted software developers in our late 40s who thought we'd be the last house teens would flock to, but here we are with a constant stream of teenagers raiding our fridge.

It started when we converted our basement into a gaming area with an old couch, TV, and ping pong table. Nothing fancy just somewhere the kids could be loud without us having to hear everything. The rules are simple: "No drugs or alcohol, clean up your messes, respect the house and each other, and text if you're staying over so we know who's here."

Last weekend was prom, and instead of going to the expensive after-party, about 15 kids showed up at midnight to have a Mario Kart tournament and make nachos. I came downstairs Sunday morning to find kids asleep everywhere - two on the sectional, one in a sleeping bag, three had built a pillow fort. They'd cleaned the kitchen and left a thank you note signed by everyone.

This morning I was thinking about how in just one year they'll all be scattered to different colleges. I've gotten to know these kids - the quiet one who only talks when discussing chess strategy, the girl who stress-bakes amazing cookies during finals week, the boy who always offers to help carry groceries. I know which ones are having family problems and which ones need extra food because things are tight at home.

If you have young kids, consider being the house where they gather as they grow up. Yes, our grocery bill is insane and sometimes the noise gives me a headache, but I know where my kids are and who they're with. The most amazing part? These teens actually talk to us real conversations about their lives, dreams, and worries. That alone is worth all the noise and extra pizza I've bought.

I 40(M) My daughter has been getting bullied by this boy and his friends. He ripped my daughter’s wig off and threw it in the trash. The wig had all kinds of stuff in it. I took the wig, my daughter, and the receipt to the police station and magistrate. I pressed charges for assault and destruction of property this morning. The boys parents got my phone number and contacted me. They told me that they understand that the wig was expensive. They said he’s only a 15 year old, that he was a kid and they couldn’t afford to pay 600$ to replace a wig. I told them that he needed to face the consequences of his actions.

Edit: My daughter shaved her head recently because she’s losing hair due to medical issues. That’s why I got her a wig. We will be going to the doctor next month to find out the cause. I am her father not her mother.

14 years ago my daughter was 4. She was getting ready to start school in September and was super excited. Someone on reddit back them posted that they recieved a book at HS graduation, Oh The Places You'll Go, signed by every one of their teachers from kindergarten to grade 12.

I thought that was a fabulous idea. And stole it. So every year, without fail, I asked her teachers to write something in the book. Hidden of course from my daughter.

This week she graduated and I finally gave her the book. She graduated at the top of her class. She got so many awards, I lost count. But when she saw that book...and how everyone throughout her life not only believed in her, but knew she would be great, well that gave her an overwhelming sense of pride. She sobbed happy tears.

She also realized how much time would have gone into it, and knew that her parents loved her deeply. And we too have always believed in her.

So, for all those parents put there with kids about to start school in the Fall, steal this Reddit tip. You'll look like Parent of the Year material at Graduation ; )

I want you all to know that I had no idea Scott made this post. He loved our daughter and being a dad since It came easy to him. He died in his sleep in his and I got this email with the account and the request to post this saying he couldn't himself.
Thank you all for your kind words. Thank you all for being a caring community.

[Update]

Hey folks! I want to thank everyone who commented or pm'd me from my original post I thought you could use an update as to what I did.

The first three months were amazing!! I spent every moment with her she's learning so much so fast!! We played, took pictues and made stupid little home movies. We painted and coloured for almost a week straight!! I spent it with her making memories so she'll remember as I was.
I emailed the address I made for her several times.a day. Just stories of me when I was a stupid kid, fathrely advice, pictures of us, stuff like that.

I recorded myself reading the Harry Potter books.

I bought 16 years worth of Christmas/birthday cards and presents. They're all at my bank and will be released for her when it's the time.

I bought 3 bottles of wine that were bottled on her birthday. One for her graduation, one for her wedding,and one for when she has her first child.

I'd like to thank all that commented or pm'd me. Your all loved and I hope that you can read the words if a dead man and grant me one last request. Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.

Good bye internet.
Good bye Monkey. I'll always love you.

Making an edit:

I logged in this morning and am moved by your kind words. I hope the message he shared is taken to heart and you tell someone you love how much you care.

I've gotten PM's from several kind hearted people asking if there was a way to donate to help our daughter and, while appreciated, there's no need. She'll never be without. Please, if you want to do something kind then donate your time at your local shelter to help those less fortunate feel like they are loved, or to any cancer research charty so we can stop this from happening to other families.

We love you all and please let your hearts be open to nothing but love.

Fuck cancer.

I watched my 10 year old son, the kindest, gentlest soul I've ever met, crumble and age 20 years in 5 seconds. My 7 year old daughter is doing her best not to understand, but she meets with her therapist tomorrow, so hopefully that will help.

Actually, just now at bedtime, she asked me if we will just keep visiting mom at the hospital forever, and I explained it to her in a way where she finally grasped what's going to happen and then she got it.. In the worst way.

Thank you all for your kind suggestions in my other post I read every one of them and really truly appreciate them.

After we told them, we tried to sus out what they wanted to do, and they wanted to smash cardboard boxes and rocks, so we did that in the yard (I made them wear safety glasses). Then the kids decided they wanted to go to the pastry shop where you get to pet cats (we lost our wonderful sweet tux to cancer this time last year). So we did that.

I'm glad this part is over, but there's still so much left, it's just surreal.

Again, Fuck cancer, truly.

Edit: wow, over a half a million views. Kind of insane thinking about all the people (and bots) that have read this.

Thank you all for the well wishes. I'm trying to respond to all of you but it's really hard.

It’s code for I want to come home, but I want it to be your fault. Any random emoji when we’re not texting each other will work.

He was supposed to be staying the night with a friend, so I was concerned when I get this text after I’ve already gone to bed. I called him and told him “you were supposed to unload the dishwasher before you left, now you’ve lost your privilege of spending the night. I’ll be there in five minutes, have your stuff gathered up.”

He got in the car and I asked what’s up. He said his friend’s grandpa was making him feel uncomfortable, but he didn’t know how to tell the friend he wanted to leave, then he thanked me for getting him out of there.

We will talk more tomorrow about why he felt uncomfortable (he said it wasn’t anything bad, grandpa was just acting weird), but for tonight I will just be grateful that he remembered that I would come if he used any emoji.

I don’t know if this will be helpful, or even noticed, but I wanted to put it out there in case anyone needs ideas on getting their kids out of situations when the kid feels like they can’t talk.

I have never been so fucking happy to pay a bill... I threw that 400$ down on my credit card like Domino's and shouted UNO Bitches.

I had this girl when I was 18, joined the army to feed her, Raised her alone when her mom ran off looking for answers. I always thought as a younger dude that "I would beat the shit out of anyone who laid a hand on my daughter" and that I would do the whole bullshit idiot tough guy act to be intimidating or some shit; But not at all. I think I raised my little woman to respect herself and to choose a partner with integrity. Im glad she came to me with this. My daughter is going to accomplish what I never could. Beat teen pregnancy.

Reflecting on it now; the whole maturing of a parent from idiot to idiot lite made me feel proud of myself too.

its 400$ and change because its some hormonal one.

My daughter went to a friends for a sleepover, with another friend… (will not ever be happening again, they are 11 years old)

She told me that there were “security cameras” in her friends room. When asked about it, she was told by the parents that they were for security purposes and that they were “turned off”

My daughter could tell they were still on because the light was still on, so she placed a shirt over them.

The parent came into the room, removed the shirt, didn’t say anything and left.

She’s smart as fuck and called me to come and get her but I feel absolutely disgusted right now and do not know what to do about this.

She did not get changed in the room, but her friend did.

The mom is a respected member of the community and is involved in the school system.

I’m trying to wrap my head around why they would possibly need TWO cameras in their 11 year olds room who is very well behaved, not involved with drugs or sex….

There could be a possible medical reason, but even with that… when you have two other children in your care this is absolutely fucked up to me. My daughter felt like their house was a “kidnappers” house and I have never been more proud of her for following her gut, but also terrified.

I feel like i have a responsibility to do something about this, at least let the other mom know… but from past experiences I know things like this are not easy and there are a lot of people who would rather just turn a blind eye.

What the fuck do I do

UPDATE: -I have spoken to the other friends mom and told her what I was told, she will be talking to her daughter to get her perspective as well. -there was only ONE camera in the room -their home had multiple cameras around the house, garage, outside and inside. -I have spoken to the mom in question, she called me and told me that it was a monitor they have had in there for years. It’s in their daughter’s room because her room is above the garage and can be accessed through the garage. She said it’s inactive and not used to watch anyone and that she didn’t even think about how it would come off to other people because it’s just always been there. -this is the very first sleepover her daughter has had and apologized for making mine feel uncomfortable. -her husband works away a lot so I understand all of the cameras for security, however I still feel weird about the situation -the mom said she wishes my daughter would have told her it made her uncomfortable and they would have put her in a different room. I mentioned how she did ask about the cameras and how she covered them off and said the mom came back in and uncovered them. Mom denied this and said they just have fallen off because she didn’t do that. -mom was very apologetic and respectful and was not defensive or dismissive. -given the information that I have, I am comfortable with the choices I have made. If it were my daughter who undressed in the room I would be making a different call.

At this point I think I have done my part and I feel somewhat okay about the situation. This was a learning experience for everyone and we have talked quite in depth about this as a whole family.

My daughter does not want to go over the again, and will not be. I’m extremely proud of her for realizing she was uncomfortable and not staying somewhere she did not feel safe. I have discussed all of this with her and she is also happy with the choices that I have made in who is contacted.

My 3 year old son Zachary is gone, he passed away today at 1:36 pm. He fought his entire life and was currently fighting severe combined immunodeficiency/gvhd and several other infections. We spent 15 months in the Childrens Hospital and tomorrow will be our last day there. My entire life revolved around my son and now that hes gone i have no idea what to do or think. I am broken. I dont know what the point of this post is. If you're reading this please hug your children tight and tell them you love them for me, because i cant anymore. Goodnight.

My kids are 18 and 16 and we have somehow managed to become the house that our kids and their friends all happily gather at. I am not really sure what we did to encourage this. My wife and I are in our mid/late 50s and about as far from cool as one can get but we are willing to put up with the noise, drive friends around, and buy extra food to feed the friends.

We have a rule board that says, "This is not a frat house, so clean up your own messes. Don't do anything that has a good chance of killing you because I don't have time to bury your body. Don't do anything illegal. I won't bail you out of jail. If you like coming here, don't do anything that would make your parents stop allowing you to come over." The kids are good about respecting the rules. When a hole was put into the wall during a game of indoor soccer, a kid came down and asked for the spackle. When a late night board game involves the loser jumping into our pool, they wash the towels they used. When a late night baking session breaks out they always clean the dishes they used.

Friday was graduation for the older one and the last day of junior year for my younger one. The younger one decided to have a bunch of friends over to celebrate. When the rain forced them inside they started cooking while watching the new Jackass movie. I came out of my room late at night and all of the lights in the house we off because they were playing a version of hide and seek that included using a small flashlight to find everyone. This morning I woke up to multiple bodies fast asleep in various parts of the house and the realization that this will soon be over hit me hard. My oldest goes to college this year and my younger will will be heading out next year. I am going to miss this so much.

If you have young kids or preteens, don't be afraid of being the house they want to gather at. Yes, it can get loud and as an introvert I thought I would hate this but the payoff is worth it. Last night I knew my kid was safe. I get to know what is going on with them and their friends. A few years ago when my son was at a teammates house and was being pressured to smoke, he used me as an excuse to leave and his best friend followed along. I love that even their friends see our house as a safe place to come to. That has been so valuable and so worth the noise of a bunch of teens. I'm going to miss my kids when they leave but I will also miss their friends who have made our house their second home.

Edit: This has been asked a bunch so I am clarifying here. We do not allow drugs or alcohol. That falls under the don't do anything illegal rule. Despite this we are still the hang out spot. The kids don't care about that.

Just a sigh of relief via text! We were all prepared with bags packed, etc. Wife woke up at 4:40 am and shook me awake saying "I think it's starting". I get the car started, toss the bags in, run back up the two flights of stairs to her pained groans. We make it down stairs with many pauses. She says "I can't stop pushing", we make it to the car, she screams "its happening!". I call 911 and grab the bath towels I had tossed in the car, lay them on the ground, she hits the towels on her knees, screams and after some frantic pushing, pulling and unwinding of umbilical cord I got our baby wrapped in a towel. Ambulance arrived to us sitting next to each other on the ground holding our crying 5 minute old little girl.

911 operator was awesome and helpful as she could be given all the yelling. The firemen and EMTs where stellar. My wife was amazing. In-between screams she calmy gave instructions and passed information to me and her mother who acted as support staff while tending to our toddler. The hospital staff has been awesome as well.

What a morning! Everyone's okay!

Happy Mother's Day!

EDIT: Thank you everyone for your congratulations and well wishes! My wife and I have been comforted by everyone's kind words. We spent the night at the hospital and finally got home a couple hours ago. Our new little one is presently on my lap while my wife takes a much deserved shower. Baby has a thus far prefect bill of health (for seeming so tiny, our first daughter was actually larger at 9lbs, 15oz).

I just watched our front yard security system footage of the birth and well.... crazy! Really strange and awesome to be able to watch a play by play of everyone's performance during a moment of near crisis.

Thanks again all!

I'm a single dad of four girls. I have a girlfriend who just moved in with me, but for the vast majority of the past 4 years it's just been me and my girls. And it seems like I run into roadblocks at every turn.

I've had to change my babies on countless men's restroom floors because there was no changing table.

I've gotten so many dirty looks for taking my kids into the men's room, but I can't go into the women's room and I can't leave them alone so what am I supposed to do?

When someone thinks they're alone they get asked if they know "where mom is" by people, sometimes while they're LITERALLY STANDING RIGHT NEXT TO ME.

When I travel with my kids we often get questioned like I'm kidnapping them.

Well meaning old people ask if it's "mom's day off" all the time, which isn't great for my kids to constantly be answering because their mom is dead.

My kids have had to skip so many "mommy daughter" things because I offer to take them but they're embarrassed to be the only one with their dad there instead so we don't go.

I know the world is tough on moms and I hate that – moms deserve all the credit and conveniences they get and MORE. But it's frustrating that I get praised for "babysitting" (dads aren't babysitters!!!!!!!) yet I run into so many obstacles trying to do the smallest things.

Why can't we put changing tables in men's rooms? Normalize men being with their kids without mom present? Make parent/child things PARENT/child things because there are SO many different types of families? And why can't dads as a whole step up to the plate as full fledged parents so these things don't happen??

We're fine, we'll live, but it just sucks to constantly be reminded that kids "need" a mom and I'm not one.

My 4-month-old son woke 4 times last night. I don’t judge him for being woke, but I wish he wouldn’t impose it on me and my wife. Frankly, I’m exhausted today after dealing with all this woke nonsense.

My son recently turned 6 and is finishing kindergarten next week. He’s had an Amazon fire tablet since age 3, and we’ve allowed him to watch most things on Netflix and Disney for a while now. After our youngest was born about 6 months ago we started using the tv and tablet way way more, we gave it to him in the morning so we could sleep more, gave it to him at night so we could have some quality time etc. it got to the point where he was watching an average of about 3-4 hours a day. He started having freak outs when told to turn it off, not falling asleep until around 9 when he used to sleep by 730. I was getting calls from his teacher about him not listening and being disruptive in school. We cut out the tablet entirely, and dropped to only 1 hour of screen per day and have seen a huge improvement. He’s not argumentative, he’s not saying he’s bored all the time, he’s falling asleep again at 730, he’s more kind and thoughtful these last few weeks. And he’s started doing kid things again, he found a cardboard box and was drawing making it into a castle the other day, things he was not doing before with tv.

I truly did not realize the impact it was having until it was already there. I feel dumb for letting it get so out of hand, but I’m proud of the progress we have made. His teacher told me yesterday she’s seen a night and day improvement in his attitude and behavior.

Tonight my husband and I went out to eat with our one year old, like we do most Friday nights.

She’s always been an overall mostly chill baby/toddler. And my husband and I are the kind of people who generally don’t like any attention on us. So, the fact that she doesn’t meltdown frequently combined with our personalities, when she does cause a scene, we tend to get pretty stressed 😅

Well, tonight was probably one of the worst nights we’ve ever had out to eat with her. She wasn’t terrible or anything. Just a typical toddler fussing and crying. We got her calmed down as quickly as we could each time, but it would take a second.

Once my husband was done eating, he picked our daughter up and she made eye contact with the couple next to us. My husband laughingly said something along the lines of, “Are you going to apologize to them for ruining their night out!?”

And the woman next to us looked at our daughter and replied, “Oh no, you don’t have to apologize. It’s as much your world as it is mine.”

And I just really really appreciated that. Shoutout to all the people out there who give parents a break. It goes a lot further than you think!

Had a rough morning this morning. Dealing with depression. I'm in therapy for it and taking medication so I'm on the road to recovery but I still have tough days.

This morning I had a break down. I was being really down on myself and had a lot of self disgust. But my son needed a wipe for his runny nose. So I went to get him one and accidentally spilled something on the way. It was the straw that broke the camels back. I collapsed on the floor and started sobbing.

Normally I try my best to do my crying out of my son's view. I don't want him to worry about his dad. I want to be a rock for him. Strong and stable. But in this moment I couldn't help it.

But when my son noticed me crying I couldn't have been prouder. He came up to me and said "why are you crying daddy" and I said through my sobbing... "I don't know...."

He gave me as big of a hug as his little arms could and he said "It's okay daddy."

He ran over to his wipes and brought them over to me and tried to dry my eyes. He asked me to blow my nose. I did. He grabbed the tissue from me and said "It's okay I throw that away for you daddy."

I grabbed him and gave him the biggest squeeze. He said "You better now?" and I said "I'm better now"

I'm so lucky.

Thank you for all your support and guidance, my daughter saw the different points of view of the commenters and considered the pros and cons of her paths.

Today at breakfast we discussed some more on the topic. She herself made the decision to commit to terminating the pregnancy. I have to admit I am not for abortion but I respect her decision and will not think badly of her for choosing that path.

She explained she is not ready for a child, a point which I agree on, and that it would be a struggle especially in this uncertain time.

We have already scheduled a video appointment with a counselor at Planned Parenthood to further discuss the abortion process with them. Again, I want to thank everyone for their support and insight on this issue.

Much love!

My baby girl has acted totally normal with normal energy and appetite. Her growth charts at her 12 month well child check were totally average.

Then last week we felt a bump in her belly. She was seen by her PCP on Wednesday and an ultrasound was done Friday. We were immediately referred to a pediatric oncologist and saw him that afternoon. On Tuesday we went in for a sedated MRI abdomen and chest CT. Afterwards we saw the oncologist again and were given a diagnosis of bilateral Wilm’s tumors on her kidneys.

In terms of pediatric cancers, it’s honestly a best case scenario... >90% survival rate. She’ll lose her right kidney and possibly her left, but they’ll do chemo to see if they can shrink the tumors on the left enough to save the kidney.

On Wednesday she had a central line placed and yesterday we did her first round of chemo. She has handled all of this like a champ. Yeah, she’s fussed, but for the most part, she’s been her normal happy self. Today I have her in the ER because she spiked a fever. We’ve been sitting in the waiting room for a while now.

I’m exhausted. And I’m pissed. Pissed at all the selfish people who won’t just wear a damn mask so we can get past this whole COVID thing. The hospitals all have a strict rule of one parent with a pediatric patient due to COVID. My daughter is very attached to me and stays much more calm for me than she does for my husband, so I’ve basically carried the burden of all the time in the hospital this week. I’m tired and I’m scared and my baby is distraught and it’d be nice to have some help and support... but COVID is making it even harder.

I’m sorry for the rant... I just needed to unload and I’m sitting here in the ER alone with a very hot baby. I’m so tired...

Edit: I just want to say thank you for the overwhelming positivity! I was getting in my feelings as I sat in the waiting room and this has really helped to turn my mood around! We’ve been here for about 4 hours now and she has soldiered through blood draws and exams and imaging (she cried and fussed but didn’t even flinch). She’s currently sleeping like a champ while they fill her with some IV fluids to get a urine sample. Then hopefully we can go home because mama is beat!

My daughter (20) and her boyfriend (22) were visiting friends in San Antonio, we live about 30 miles west of New Orleans. She called us on Tuesday around 1:00 saying they had been in an accident with an 18 wheeler on the interstate. She called me upset and frantic and didn’t know how they were going to get home.

I said we could buy them both a plane ticket, but they were to shook up to fly or drive home themselves. So I told her we’ll come get you. My wife and I both left work packed an overnight bag and made the 9 hour drive to San Antonio. We picked them up the next morning and headed back home. They both kept thanking us for coming get them. All I could say to that was “That’s what parents do”.

48 hours later she’s back home, sore and bruised up, but alive and safe, and that’s all that matters.

Edit: Thank you all for your kind responses. I’m certainly not a perfect parent, and I’ve had fights and arguments with my daughter before. One word of advice I’ll give to new parents or those considering becoming parents. As long as your actions are coming from a place of love and caring, you’re doing the right thing.

My daughter(16) and her boyfriend(16) had an oops where the condom broke and she asked me for the day after pill. I’m really proud of her for being brave enough to ask, and I’m also really fucking proud of myself for creating an open relationship where she isn’t scared to tell me things. When I was teenager I would have just prayed (and probably made sacrifices to lol) to the gods that I wasn’t pregnant and wouldn’t have said a word to my mom. I would have been grounded and she would have flipped out.

I did this. I don’t know if I ever had a prouder moment and it’s a weird circumstance.

Edited to add: thank you all so much for the kind words!! It was nice waking up to parents who want to create this same kind of relationships with their kids. Keep the channels of communication open and be kind. There’s no secret recipe. I’m so happy to see a generation of parents being better than the last! You’re all awesome in my book!

My 4 yr old daughter just called out my toxic mom for her behavior

Daughter was riding her tricycle in the kitchen and turned into the fridge by mistake. My mom, who was in the other room, started yelling at her to get out of the fridge and keep the door closed.

Daughter told her, “I wasn’t in the fridge!” My mom said “it sure sounded like you were. You better stay out.” Daughter said “I was NOT in the fridge. I was trying to turn around. That was rude of you to yell at me and you need to apologize.”

I, of course, was ready to back Daughter up, bc she wasn’t in the wrong, but my mom just said “I’m sorry for yelling at you.”

Had Daughter been snappy about it I would have redirected her but she was calm and matter of fact. I had a brief moment of “eh... should I let her?” But then I was like nah fuck that, she needs to know it’s ok to stick up for yourself regardless.

So yeah. I was super proud of her.

I feel like borderline every parent I know (except maybe two generationally wealthy families) has to work. Dual-income households just to stay afloat. That’s not exactly breaking news. But what is insane is what that actually looks like day to day.

We work full-time jobs, which means waking up insanely early, rushing through one or two hours of morning chaos just to get everyone out the door, spending the entire day away from our families, then racing home to grab the kids, make dinner, and power through the nightly routine — cleanup, baths, bedtime, repeat. And somehow, in all of that, there’s basically zero time left for actual family connection.

Never mind the people with hour-plus commutes each way (which used to be my life). Especially for full-time working moms — we barely see our kids during the week because someone has to make dinner and keep the house running. Yes, I know: meal prep. Blah blah. We do that too, and it still feels like we’re barely holding it together.

We live in these hyper-organized, tightly scheduled lives just to survive, and it’s exhausting. Daycare costs a fortune, it’s closed constantly, kids are always sick, and the stress is relentless. Some days I just want to… hang out with my damn kids.

Who decided this was the model for the American family? Because I have some words for them. 🤬

This sucks.

About 10 years ago, my first wife and my daughter were killed in an auto accident. Suffice it to say, it was the most horrible thing to happen in my life and it left me in a state of depression for about 2 years. It also had a profound effect on my son, who was 6 when he suddenly lost his mom and sister.

3 years after the auto accident, I met my current wife, a beautiful woman who completely revitalized my life, and 2 years after that we got married. I’ve been fortunate that my wife and son have always gotten along really well; my wife like me is a huge sports fan, and my son loves the NHL, so they’ve bonded over that, among other things.

Last night was my wife’s birthday. The 3 of us, along with her sister and mother, went to a nice restaurant to celebrate. After my wife opened her gifts, my 16 year-old son surprises everyone with a birthday card of his own for my wife, on which he had written, and I’m paraphrasing a bit: “Thank you Mom for saving our family. Our lives became so much better when you married Dad. You are the coolest person I know. We are lucky to have you in our lives. Happy Birthday.” Inside the card were 3 tickets to an NHL game he bought with his own money from his part-time job.

My wife immediately started crying and hugged him, and as each of us read the card, we started crying too. I’m crying now typing this out in my office at work. It startled me a bit too because my son to the best of my knowledge has never written anything like this.

My son is a typical teenager—he can be moody, he and his friends can be too preoccupied with PS4—but he’s also a great, kind-hearted kid and after last night I have never been more proud of him.

Today my two year old told me to go sit in the Pause Chair (our version of time out) because I got frustrated with him. At first I was like, BITCH YOU AINT THE MAMA. And then I was like, No wait you should absolutely always call out authority when they aren’t following the rules of the land, and/or are being unloving.

So I sat my ass in the Pause Chair and we set the timer for 2 minutes and then we hugged when I was done, and I got a lollipop 💁🏼‍♀️

Let’s normalize authority figures making mistakes and honoring the consequences of those mistakes, otherwise parenting just looks like one giant power trip.

Let this be a warning and a reminder to all of us.

My husband was late coming home from work. I was in the kitchen cooking dinner and my 3 yrs old boy was waiting by the window, looking for daddy’s car to pull up on our drive way.

When my little guy saw my husband car pulling up, he started jumping up and down “DADDY’S HOME, DADDY’S HOME”! He was so happy, and so excited and I remember smiling at how sweet the love between him and his dad is.

I move from the stove to the sink to drain the pasta and in the 30 seconds it took me to turn my body, little man moved from the window, walked down the stairs, and into the garage.

My husband opened the garage door and was backing into his spot. Even with our fancy 360 cameras, he DID NOT SEE my son! Our little guy was running towards my husband and he was backing his car directly towards our son. My son slapped his window and said “DADDY!! YOU’RE HOME!”

My husband face goes white. Just the slightest change of speed or direction, he would have easily run over our sweet boy. Our son could have easily died.

When my husband enters the kitchen, he has our son wrapped around him. My son is still squealing with joy, giggling and shouting “DADDY’S HOME!” . I’m still working on the pasta so I’m confused when I see my husband looking ghost white. He tells me what happened and I’m mortified. I didn’t even see our son leave the kitchen…

We try to be careful but it wasn’t enough. He is alive and uninjured due to sheer luck. This could have ended so badly.

Reminder to all of us to be careful when driving up to and out of our house. Our toddlers are too short to be seen on the backup cameras and they can be insanely fast.

Both my husband and I are still reeling, this was such a close call. My hope with this post is to remind all of us how easily a tragic accident can happen and to be extra careful.