Tonight’s dinner conversation was nothing less than insightful for both me and Kylie. I asked her how her day at school went, to which she began telling us what she did, who she played with, what she ate. But whenever the topic of her day at school comes up, it always somehow turns into her telling us how naughty some of… most of the boys in her class are. “They always talk back and interrupt the teacher and hit each other… I don’t know why they’re so naughty.”
Well today she got quite a shock when Michael revealed to her that he actually was one of THOSE naughty boys when he was little. Her eyes widened as he described getting in trouble at school for not doing his homework or not being able to sit still, and how he used to beat up his older brother. I could see the astonishment in her face when he told her how his neighbors called the police on him for using a bb gun in his back yard. Her only response to the conversation was “you really didn’t do your homework daddy?” As if that was one of the worst things she could ever imagine.
I think she just pictured her daddy being the way he expects her to be, a well-behaved, respectful, rule follower. But maybe it’s good for her to know that her daddy was not a shining picture of perfection as a child. She tries so hard to be a good girl, and she needs to know that even if she messes up, nothing could change how much we love her and how proud of her we are. 
After dinner the girls thought it would be fun to give daddy a taste of his own medicine. The wrestling match that ensued was pretty hilarious. Kylie of course can’t hurt a flea and has not one mean bone in her body, but none the less, she got in on the pile up, but Keira, she has a little animal inside that quiet, shy little body. I’m thinking soccer or karate might be a good idea for her. She threw a couple kicks and punches to Michael’s face that probably had some sting to them, and she was so proud of herself afterward, it was really comical.
I think sometimes it’s just best to be transparent with your kids. In this competitive day and age it can be so hard to “measure up,” and letting them know it’s ok, I’m not perfect either, can go a long way in building their self-esteem. And letting them beat you up a little might help too.
I shot a video towards the end of their fight. Click below to watch it:
