Peeing off the deck and other things Dad’s should teach their kids
Dear Izzy, Max, and Kate,
As I watch you all I grow I’m always coming up with random things that make me think “hey, that was a good thing to teach the kids. Completely useless and maybe a little questionable, but a good thing.”
I think I’ll create a seperate page on my website eventually to list those as I come up with them. Here are a few I’ve discovered recently, excluding the obvious stuff like “share”, “say please”, etc:
- Teach your kids to crawl on all fours and hoot like a gorilla. I mean a rabid crazy monkey gorilla. Max, you love to mimic and you girls love to laugh at us.
- teach your kids to laugh like a clown. All three of you love it and it’s hysterical to hear you try to mimic me. Mommy generally hates it, but that’s part of what makes it fun.
- Okay, prepare yourselves for this one. Dad’s, teach your son to pee off of the deck or in the backyard. That’s right. Sometimes guys need to pee outside – just because we can. Just make sure no one is around. Max, you were stunned the first time you found out this was possible.
- Teach your kids to wrestle. I’m talking wrist control from the top, straight double leg, and stand ups.
- Go to chili-cookoffs. It’s worth the aftermath.
My alarm sounded this morning at 5am. That’s 15 minutes earlier than normal, because now things are getting real! I needed to get a 2000 yard swim in for the first time since the swim in Boulder reservoir at Boulder 70.3 in early August. The 2000 yard swim included a 1000 yards straight at half iron pace. I did in 14:45. My goal was 15:00, but I felt really fresh when I finished, so I don’t think I pushed too hard.
I’m scheduled to run 4.5 miles with my buddy Bill during lunch. I always look forward to training with my friends, especially those I’ve shared lots of stories and good times with.
I realize I haven’t been writing much about my triathlon stuff, but that’s because it’s kind of boring right now. It’s still cold outside and most of my workouts are alone and not that interesting. I promise once the race season and heavy training season starts you’ll hear alot more about it.
Je t’aime
- Daddy
Training:
Swam 2000 yards at 5:00am as: 3 x 50 (s/p/k) / 1000 straight / 3 x 50 (s/p/k) / 6 x 100 (s/p/k) / 4 x 25 easy swim
Run 4.5 miles with 6 x :45 fast
I was sitting out on my deck one night a couple of years ago and from a few houses down I heard a woman yell at her husband/boyfriend “Are you PEEING off the deck AGAIN?”. It was funny.
Here’s my confession. I potty trained my boys by letting them pee off the deck. It’s easy to potty train them when it’s fun. I did NOT show them how to do it personally, but was there to share their excitement.
Start wrestling early. We both know why.
Nathan: Ha! I try not to make it an “AGAIN” occasion. Once in a blue moon is fun though.
Kim: Thanks for the confession. The girls have done their share of backyard peeing too – usually when we have the kiddie pool out. Max is going to be an animal once he starts wrestling. He’s got the basics down!
Love this and posting on twitter for my signif other to see .. as his boys take great pride in this yet is something not everyone appreciates.
inspired by your blog and your workout posts. as of this morning I am back in the water and looking for some sprint tri’s. all i can muster the time/effort for at this point. best to you ..