Like Cosby Like Son

So earlier this week when I picked up Milo at daycare I noticed a banner in the classroom that had all the kids' handprints in paint on it. All of them except for Milo's.

I asked Milo where his was and he said that he 'didn't feel like doing it.' We've had a few issues with group participation in the past and as a dad it's tough to find balance on how to address them.

I think one of the most enduring moments in TV history took place in the pilot episode of The Cosby Show when Theo and his dad were talking about his poor report card and the parents' expectations for his schoolwork. When young Theo asked 'I wouldn't love you any less if you weren't a doctor.... Maybe you can just accept me and love me for who I am anyway.' and Dr Huxtable responded with "Theo that's the dumbest thing I've ever heard! No wonder you get D's in everything!"

So... once again I tried to put my own spin on something and ended up with a lesson for both Milo and I.

I said to Milo, "You know.. there will always be things in school that your teacher asks you to do that you might not want to do. It's important that you do them anyway... because do you know what happens if you don't do what your teacher tells you to do? You'll be a dumbass!"

Thankfully, Milo agreed that he didn't want to be a dumbass.

I tried to drive the point home further by saying "What if I didn't feel like being a dad anymore? And didn't feel like making sure you had food and clothes and toys and a home. What would happen then?"

Milo's response.... "You'd be dumbass?"

While we still have to work on consequences... at least he was paying attention.