Last Tuesday, one of Niko’s classmates invited him, along with the rest of the class, to her birthday party in a few weeks. When we asked Niko if he wanted to go, he screamed happily – YES! I told Niko that for his birthday, we can also invite his classmates and find someplace fun to celebrate. For all of his previous birthdays, the three of us have celebrated at home with a homemade cake.
This is a first for him, and I know he will have a blast playing and eating with his classmates. Immediately, I panicked as I had no clue what the parent protocol is for birthday parties. Do we drop him off and leave him or do we have to go with him to make sure he doesn’t break anything ort get hurt? I was hoping that we could just throw him out of the car without stopping and then Nina and I could go have a quiet lunch without somebody interrupting us or asking hypothetical what if questions. Don’t panic, I won’t actually throw him out of the car without stopping, it’s just how my writing brain thinks and works.
Nina texted her mom to RSVP, she told us what her daughter is into so we could bring a gift and as far as parent protocol, well, we have to attend also.
You know that is fine with me as maybe I can meet some other dads and talk sports.
Wait, I haven’t paid attention to sports since Niko was born, so that won’t work for me.
Maybe I can meet some other dads and talk beer.
Wait, I don’t drink, so that won’t work for me.
Maybe I can meet some other dads and talk about the book I am currently reading or just read.
Wait, I don’t think they will be interested in Paul Newman or Geena Davis.
Maybe I can meet some other dads and talk cars.
Wait, that probably won’t work either because I drive a Honda Civic, not a big FORD, CHEVY, TOYOTA, or DODGE truck.
Maybe I can tell the other dads that Niko kicks a soccer ball and basketball in the backyard and about half of those times, I am protecting certain parts of my body from being hit; we drink water, lemonade, chocolate milk, and sometimes orange juice; we read Captain Underpants books; and we build cars and trucks out of Legos.
That may indeed work as those are just some of the many definitions of the word DAD.
Wait, I know…
Maybe I can meet some other dads, and just be myself and see how far that gets me! Yes!!!
