My children don’t let me take myself too seriously. I get really angry, move close to their faces, and raise my very-adult sounding voice. They laugh.
I try to say something impressive, something that surely must sound cool. They stare at me with blank expressions.
Enough to wear a parent out, right?
Yes. But they are teaching me a valuable life lesson.
To laugh more. Give in more. Relax. And to take life a whole lot less seriously.
A few years ago, I had to do this radio interview. I was so nervous. My stomach was tied in knots because I really wanted to do well, to sound intelligent, to really impress.
After the interview was over, I asked my daughter, “How did I sound?”
“Fine. I thought it was fine.”
Okay. Not enough detail for me so I stupidly continued to press.
“Did I sound…goofy?”
My 2-year-old was listening at the time and decided to try to help.
“No,” he said. “You sounded like Mickey Mouse.”
If you’re like me, you’re learning…aaahhhh…whatever…Life is not that serious.
Kendra Timberlake, October 25, 2006
