Let’s face it, when you’re over 40, with a bit of a pot belly, hair beginning to thin, laugh-lines moving inexorably toward your ears - and especially when your jaw is fast becoming jowls - it’s embarrassing to try to be as cool like your kids.
It’s hard for a lot of men (and women) to admit “Once upon a time, I was cool.”
I’m not saying Alternadad is wrong. (I agree with his concern to not become “uptight or out of touch” simply because he was becoming a father - although I find it funny that he prides himself on being able to tell the difference between the Ramones and the Sex Pistols… hey, not exactly contemporary bands…).
I’m not saying Dad’s can’t surf, listen to emo music, or get a piercing. Be yourself, be funny, be playful. Be alive.
… just don’t act 13 when you’re 43!
It’s like the guy who tried to impress his son but got arrested in Boston last month (thanks to A Suburban Mom for the story). Or the great (although possibly fictitious) dialogue posted at College Humor between a university student, his Dad and one of his mates. It’s well worth the read and includes the following perfect example of what I’m talking about … and with this, I finish:
John: Nice to meet you, Mr. Peterson.
Dad: Word. Better yet: Phrase.
John: Huh?
Dad: Exactly. You are my dog.
Son: Dad, what the hell are you talking about?
Dad: Check it out, son. I got this new Nintendo Wheat System.
Son: It’s called a Wii. Pronounced “Wee.”
Dad: Oh, fat. Fat. So, what’s up for tonight? Are you boys going to be hollering at some shorties?
15 responses so far ↓
themolk // Jun 19, 2007 at 11:53 am
I want to be the dad with the bad “dad” jokes (some friends and I are already compiling them ready for when our kids can roll their eyes at us), but not the dad that ‘tries’… they are the worst.
The line between being cool, being a friend and being their dad is a fine one to tread - many have gone before me and struggled to walk the line… I just have to keep my eyes open and put one foot in front of the other…
Pete // Jun 20, 2007 at 8:40 am
Bad Dad jokes will be my very next post.
You can tell I’m not cool can’t you, especially when I write mangled English like “try to be as cool like your kids”…
themolk // Jun 20, 2007 at 3:15 pm
you’re the coolerest…
Pete // Jun 20, 2007 at 4:14 pm
No no. You’re much coolerer than me are.
Bad Dad // Jun 22, 2007 at 4:37 am
Bad jokes from a Bad Dad:
Q. What’s yellow and points to the North?
A. A magnetic banana.
Q. Why did the chicken want to play in the band?
A. ‘Cause he had the drum sticks.
Gautam // Jun 22, 2007 at 6:05 am
WEIRDO’S
Pete // Jun 22, 2007 at 8:43 am
Gautam, when yo’re a dad, you’ll understand what turns us wierd; we used to be cool calm and together just like you. But now we are wierd, and we embrace this wierdness as a badge of honour …
… sorry, shouldn’t be bloggin before I’ve had my morning coffee.
Bad Dad, those jokes are going in my next post, due today. Thx!
Jonathan // Jun 22, 2007 at 11:49 am
A guy walks into a bar…He should have ducked.
Pete // Jun 22, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Zing!
Or should I say:
Ouch!
SaRz // Jun 25, 2007 at 5:38 pm
Good post - I agree! Don’t TRY to be cool…cos it doesn’t work.
Eg. Don’t listen to emo music unless you really DO like it! Kids are cluey…they can pick when a parent really does like something, and when they’re just trying to be like them.
You dont have to try to be like them to be cool..actually that has the opposite effect!
Just showing an interest in your kid alone is enough to be rated “cool” i think
I’m no parent, but that’s my view anyway hehe
Pete // Jun 25, 2007 at 5:59 pm
Great comment, Sarz. I think the perspective of the “kid” is often more valid at times, and this is one of those times. “Just showing an interest in your kid alone is enough to be rated “cool”” - that’s what lots of parents need to hear (and practise!)
themolk // Jun 26, 2007 at 11:16 am
That’s right, SaRz, Pete thinks your’d a “kid”…
Pete // Jun 26, 2007 at 2:21 pm
Nice one, Molk. Way to help me relate to young people and be cool.
themolk // Jun 27, 2007 at 9:10 am
Like my spulling is gr8 towo…
Pete // Jun 27, 2007 at 5:01 pm
I was being nice in ignoring the “your’d” above.
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