I am a liberated woman. So I thought.
It happened a few years ago. I walked into my daughter’s room and discovered my husband sitting in her floor. And they were having The Talk. I was so upset that I left the room.
I don’t believe in gender roles in marriage or in parenting. He is just as much her parent as I am. But I always assumed that I would be the one to sit her down and impart this information. I was horrified, really. It just seemed weird that he was the one educating our daughter on this stuff. He’s a guy! Sure, I would expect his input with the boys. There’s some technical stuff they’ll have to hear from him, but our little girl?! Really? But there he was, holding her little hands, looking into her eyes and saying:
“Sweetie, you can’t wear plaids and stripes together…”
I know. I couldn't believe it, either.
Elyse
November 14, 2011 at 7:12 am
Well set up — you caught me!
lifeintheboomerlane
November 14, 2011 at 7:22 am
Good one. My brain did a complete saga in a fraction of a second. Whew.
twinklysparkles
November 14, 2011 at 9:10 am
The important thing is the result: did she truly understand what he was telling her? I’m sure when you find her dashing about in her matching outfits, you’ll forget all about gender roles and heave a sigh of relief that Dad did the hard work.
Well done.
becomingcliche
November 14, 2011 at 10:43 am
This has been her teen rebellion, actually. She does not smoke, drink, do drugs, etc. But she leaves the house with her clothes mis-matched. It kills him. Every single time.
lisays
November 14, 2011 at 12:01 pm
My husband is also a fashion gestapo. Bigger fish, I keep telling him, bigger fu&*ing fish.
becomingcliche
November 14, 2011 at 12:02 pm
I let this be the place where they clash. It makes them both happy.
Alexandra
November 14, 2011 at 9:36 am
You are a genius!
Gilly
November 14, 2011 at 9:58 am
Bahahahaa! XD
Sidenote: IMHO, if you are a plaid and stripes kid of girl, go for it! Mix it up!
becomingcliche
November 14, 2011 at 10:44 am
Don’t ever, ever, ever say that to my husband. I am no fashion maven. My most solid rule is that my Harry Potter T-shirt and jacket must both come from the same movie. For him, however, the red sneakers with purple pants represents a child not well-brought-up.
ashazenzi
November 14, 2011 at 11:05 am
lol!!!! it’s best that she heard it from someone who loves her
autumnbarlow
November 14, 2011 at 11:38 am
Brilliant.
It does remind me of my dad *trying* to have The Talk with me. He sat at the end of the bed and blurted out something along the lines of “I just want you to know…I mean…your mum…you’re growing up…periods…I know about periods…if you…if mum is ever away or out…and you need…you start…uh…I know where her sanitary towels are.” And he fled.
becomingcliche
November 14, 2011 at 11:40 am
God bless the brave fathers everywhere.
Kimberly Pugliano
November 14, 2011 at 12:02 pm
Bastard
becomingcliche
November 14, 2011 at 12:06 pm
It was MY JOB! MINE! I should have been the one… Even if I can’t match garanimals.
motherofwonder
November 14, 2011 at 12:04 pm
I loved this so completely!! To the point laughter blurted out… my children eyed me suspiciously and ran away!
mommysaidaswearword
November 14, 2011 at 12:20 pm
Hahahaha. <3
fiercemommy
November 14, 2011 at 6:10 pm
Loved it! Does your hubby make house calls? I need him to stop by and have the talk with my hubby and son. Can we say Fashion Challenged!
nevercontrary
November 14, 2011 at 9:46 pm
Ha Ha Ha that was awesome!
lameadventures
November 14, 2011 at 10:41 pm
Never in a million years did I see where that was headed — you being married to the second coming of Mr. Blackwell.
becomingcliche
November 15, 2011 at 6:50 am
And my husband has already given up his biggest hot-button. She knows exactly how to get under his skin now. And she does.
Ribbons Undone
November 15, 2011 at 10:06 pm
HAHAHA!!!! Loved that! I so totally thought you were heading for the birds n the bees talk.
tarantulalove
November 16, 2011 at 1:53 am
Wow I am glad you posted on my blog, so I can stumble across your stuff! This was great!
becomingcliche
November 16, 2011 at 6:56 am
I’m glad I stumbled across your blog! I work in a zoo, and I am always looking for interesting angles to educate visitors. Few people keep spiders, so you’re now my go-to spider keeper.
ifiwerebraveblog
November 16, 2011 at 8:48 am
You are hilarious. And he is an enlightened man.