The Katie Chronicles: More Love Lessons Edition

Last evening involved multiple conversations about romance and relationships. Katie discovered earlier that day that a boy at her camp likes her. He LIKES her likes her. We talked about how she found out -- it was a Truth or Dare situation -- and how she feels about him. It turns out that she likes him only as a friend, even though he's a gymnast like her and he can do a roundoff with double back handspring, which is impressive. We talked about how much courage it takes to tell someone you like them, especially in front of others. (I think her introvert daddy would need therapy afterwards if he had to do that at 11...or 48). We also talked about how you should handle a situation in which someone likes you more than you like them, that is, very gently and kindly, but not in a way that sends mixed messages about whether you like them romantically.

Later, while we were loading the dishwasher, Katie asked me what that lady meant in the song about scrubs. I admit, I was momentarily distracted by the symmetry of being asked *about* scrubs *while* scrubbing. The question was, nonetheless, a little unexpected, as "scrubs" didn't figure in our earlier talk and she only hears the song during some Saturday morning chore sessions. After I told her the whole song is about the answer to her question, I described it in non-musical terms: It's a boy who has responsibilities like a baby he doesn't take care of and who talks big but doesn't work toward the goal. I ended with giving her the Oklahoma version: "He's all hat and no cattle, baby."

I would never have guessed that I'd be teaching my kiddo love lessons from awesome 90s R & B, but so be it. Take 'em as they come, I guess. At least she has good taste. #TeachUsTLC