Dogs.
That is what the daughter told me last night.
“Why are they like dogs, honey?”
“Because they eat, sleep, and poop”
Hmmm.
First of all my daughter loves her dog Stanley more than anything else in the world. I am on equal footing with regards to my daughters love and the dog.
The daughter also loves her father, not as much as Stanley or me, (It’s a fact, she told me this and I’m running with it) but she does love him, a lot, and currently more than she loves her brother.
I have gone to great lengths to keep the issues her father and I have from her, and so has he. We don’t argue in front of her, we actually don’t argue that much unless someone brings up money, we make decisions together and we never fight about who gets to spend the holidays together. If there is an issue we spend them together so that the daughter is not forced to choose one parent over the other. It has worked out reasonably well for the last 6 years.
I don’t know what she does with her dad on the weekends she spends with him but when we were married he was never a slouch. He always had projects going on and was rarely found lying on the couch watching TV like the dog is.
He was always very private about his bowel movements. He was not one of those guys who crapped with the bathroom door open and he was never a “pull my finger” kind of dad.
He does like to eat however. When he and I first started going out together he mentioned that he loved food.
“More than anything else”
That included me apparently.
So I am not sure what to make of this statement. And my take on it is surely different than what she was probably trying to convey. I think she is too young for the “men are like dogs” speech. One I wish my mother had had with me.
No, I don’t think all men are dogs. I have yet to marry a man as loyal as any of the dogs I have had over the years. I would give anything for a man who was like a dog. I could do without the licking the private parts in public but if that is what it takes to have a good man I’ll happily make that exception.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!
LOL now that was funny. The things kids say. I give you guys a lot of credit for working things out such as holidays the way you do. My ex and I always fought. I tried to even go outside the last time I talked to my ex and that was the VERY last time he ever talked to Brad again. That was not my doing that was all his own. That’s a whole nother story. LOL
Stacie: We do try to make this as good as it can be. I won’t lie there are times I would like to wring his thick neck but the feeling usually passes after a while.
My Dad, in retirement, is the dog your daughter described. She forgot watching tv, good dogs love to watch tv.
Buggys: I have to leave the TV on for Stanley when I leave the house. He can’t be alone, too scared. He howls non-stop and it annoys the neighbors so I leave the TV on the cartoon channel for him. That way he thinks there is a child home.
It’s nice the way you and your ex have been able to keep things friendly for her. I often wonder what my life would have been like had I had a father who wanted to be with me.
Happy Thanksgiving!
.-= Jayne´s last blog ..injaynesworld it’s time for another "Sunday Recap…" =-.
I kinda like my dog better than my “husband”…. no wait, I DO like my dog more than my “husband.” I read this post with a DIFFERENT twist 😉
It sounds like a good as you can get ex-relationship. I would think it would make it easier when the “real” doggy husband finds his way to you! Hey you never know!
Have a great Thanksgiving Jen!
(-: Melyssa
I’m new to your blog, a fellow redhead and single mom for 12 years.
I have a very good working relationship with my ex; not always easy, huh?
Your daughter sounds very level headed and sweet. I give you lots of credit
for trying to keep positive towards her dad! And being funny about it for us? Well, that’s just icing on the cake!
Happy Thanksgiving!
.-= Maureen@IslandRoar´s last blog ..A Little Sugar… =-.
Hi Jen!
Just wanted to stop by and say thank you for dropping by my blog earlier – it was very nice meeting you!
Hey… I LOVE your blog and this post is HYSTERICAL!
I could do without the licking the private parts in public but if that is what it takes to have a good man I’ll happily make that exception.
hahahahaha!
Happy Thanksgiving to you !
hahahahahahaha! I laughed at the beginning….and CERTAINLY at the END!!!! hahahahahahhahaha! I agree!I agree!
This is such a great blog to visit!!!
Deeply thought over and yet so lighthearted at the same time!!! A light heart, with many deep thoughts in the head! That’s you, I guess! 🙂
Beautiful well thought out insights! 🙂
Smart girl you have there…
Stopping by from MOTNET to say hello!
Never underestimate the wisdom of the very young.
She may be on to something….
Your daughter sounds very wise to me!!!!
It seems she gave it a bit of thought and was not being mean …..
Kids can be so amusing.
I hope you had a great holiday. I had the flu. Can you get it blog to blog?
Your daughter is on to something there. She’s deep for her age. 😉
I have to fix my linky thing on my blog so it actually gives me the latest on your blog here. I’ve missed you girl! Hope you had a great holiday!! 😉
Men and dogs…. I think she is on to something…. Wise beyond her years she is!
“I would give anything for a man who was like a dog.”
Well said, Red.
All three of our dogs are female. They are three of the most loyal and loving animals on the planet. They love me unconditionally, even though I think the never empty food and water bowl might have a lot to do with it.
Dusclaimer: They take after my wife, not the other way around. If I ever have to come back in a life as an animal, I hope I am worthy enough to be a dog.
I’m with you. If I could find a guy who’s as loyal as my dog, I’d be all over that.
Dads are sometimes like dogs, except for the pooping part. Perhaps she might have observed it on others’ dads. 🙂
Wow, out of the mouths of babies, as they say. By the way, if you find a man who can lick his own privates in public or in private, he probably won’t be interested in marrying you or anybody else, either.
I regret this comment.
They are three of the most loyal and loving animals on the planet. They love me unconditionally, even though I think the never empty food and water bowl might have a lot to do with it.