As I've mentioned before, I'm not (and never have been, to my knowledge) a parent. Yes, having taught before helps me relate to the pre- and post-adolescent, but, as a fellow writer, it's your love of words that really engages me, and this article, reflecting your kids' creative approach to the English language was truly entertaining!
And, to have the awareness to chronicle their speech and specific words growing up is something I'd like to think I would've done! So many parents, with the proliferation of phones & social media, focus on just the pix they can take while their kids grow up, and that's certainly laudable.
But few, I'm guessing, even THINK of journaling their actual words, arguably a more entertaining way to mark their emerging creativity and understanding! Take a bow, Glenn....not a bow, or a present under the tree would be missing a key wrapping component!
BTW, my dad came up with a suitable "replacement cuss word" when my bro and I were pre-teens. He'd do something confounding, and he'd exclaim, "Aw, rat's butt!" Needless to say, we'd collapse in hysterics...each and every time! Oh, and having just brought up Christmas, here's hoping you and family have a wonderful one!
One more Dad story: While we were growing up, Dad would always use spray-canned white "snow" flock to write "NOEL" on our large den picture window just before we put up the tree. He wrote it from inside so it could be read correctly from the outside, but all my brother and I could wonder was, "Dad, why did you just write 'LEON' on our window?"
If you're not familiar with the fabulous musical wordsmith (and actor, comedian, and songwriter) Martin Mull, 78 and still with us, here's one of my favorites of his witticisms: "Some people have a way with words; others, not have way." Thanks again, Glenn!
These are gems. I will have to dig through my memory for all of the funny words the boys made up. My wife and I always talked to the boys like adults and it has shown in their vocabulary as now they are in high school.
Hilarious. Children always have such great ways of seeing the world, and marvellous ways of expressing it.
Thanks, Terry! They truly do.
As I've mentioned before, I'm not (and never have been, to my knowledge) a parent. Yes, having taught before helps me relate to the pre- and post-adolescent, but, as a fellow writer, it's your love of words that really engages me, and this article, reflecting your kids' creative approach to the English language was truly entertaining!
And, to have the awareness to chronicle their speech and specific words growing up is something I'd like to think I would've done! So many parents, with the proliferation of phones & social media, focus on just the pix they can take while their kids grow up, and that's certainly laudable.
But few, I'm guessing, even THINK of journaling their actual words, arguably a more entertaining way to mark their emerging creativity and understanding! Take a bow, Glenn....not a bow, or a present under the tree would be missing a key wrapping component!
BTW, my dad came up with a suitable "replacement cuss word" when my bro and I were pre-teens. He'd do something confounding, and he'd exclaim, "Aw, rat's butt!" Needless to say, we'd collapse in hysterics...each and every time! Oh, and having just brought up Christmas, here's hoping you and family have a wonderful one!
One more Dad story: While we were growing up, Dad would always use spray-canned white "snow" flock to write "NOEL" on our large den picture window just before we put up the tree. He wrote it from inside so it could be read correctly from the outside, but all my brother and I could wonder was, "Dad, why did you just write 'LEON' on our window?"
If you're not familiar with the fabulous musical wordsmith (and actor, comedian, and songwriter) Martin Mull, 78 and still with us, here's one of my favorites of his witticisms: "Some people have a way with words; others, not have way." Thanks again, Glenn!
Thanks, Brad!
😂
These are gems. I will have to dig through my memory for all of the funny words the boys made up. My wife and I always talked to the boys like adults and it has shown in their vocabulary as now they are in high school.
Glenn, thank you for this wonderful and HILARIOUS post! 🙌 I can barely type for laughing! 🤣
Thanks for reading! They were/are a fun bunch!
Terrific, as all your pieces are! Reminds me of times with the Mock children!
Love the last quote!
Should be more applicable than it is this December. Probably won't snow until March...