On the way down the shore Saturday afternoon, Madeline slept nearly the whole way. Nick did not. From the third row of my SUV, he volleyed off questions faster than I could answer them. He spoke so low that every time he had a question, I had to lower the radio. I may or may not have done so with an exasperated sigh. It could have had something to do with the timing his questions had with songs I really liked. Or the fact that by the time we reached salty water and sea air, we had covered Daddy’s girlfriend and her clothing, if cancer is contagious, if we can get another dog and the differences between dating and having a boyfriend. And everything in between. Being a parent is mentally exhausting sometimes all the time.
The topic of dating someone versus them being a boyfriend or a girlfriend has come up a few times over the past week. I’ve explained the difference. For those approaching these fun topics with their own children, I went with “dating” is when you see different people and a “boyfriend or a girlfriend” is when you have decided to be exclusive. That works, right? It does here.
I didn’t think Madeline was really paying attention, and honestly, doubted the topic interested her.
I was wrong.
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