I still laugh at the fact that somebody let me be a parent

This afternoon the boys and I were getting home from school. We're climbing out of the car and, as usual, I'm yelling at them about something or other. I'm saying "Child 2, don't forget your backpack!" as he's walking up the stairs to the front door, empty handed.

"Go back to the car and get your backpack!" I insist.

"NO!" he answers, "YOU get it."

I say "seriously?" Because, I mean... seriously? Do you enjoy your freedom, child? Because I have a roll of duct tape and I'm not afraid to use it. "Seriously," he says. "You have my backpack."

Yeah, I was holding it; it was in my hands. I had carried it into the house, all on my own, and I didn't even realize it.

I'm sure there's a picture or something I could put here as a symbol of my parental greatness, but I don't feel like looking for one.

---