My daughter Julia came to live with me a year ago for school. It isn't easy for me to raise someone who is practically my 9-year-old clone, but that is exactly what I find I am doing with Julia. Through our judo and soccer practices, reading, writing and arithmetic, Girl Scouts, and Japanese language classes, we occasionally have a conversation that connects us both in a sometimes deep and usually humorous way. Hopefully, you will be as entertained as we are.

Sittin’ in a Tree

Daddy is helping Julia’s class with a field trip. He is in charge of Julia and two other girls at the zoo. Things have been very diplomatic until five hours into the day when his social life becomes the topic of conversation…

Girl: Mr. Greene, are you married?

Daddy: Ummm… No.

Julia: He’s had some girlfriends. One was named Anne, and what was the other one’s name? 

Daddy: I don’t think we should be discussing my social life. Let’s look at the monkeys…

Julia: My mom’s name is Judy. That was one of his girlfriends!

Girls: (unison) Shawn and Judy sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G…

Daddy: Hey, let’s not, ummm…

Girls: First comes love; then comes marriage…

Daddy: Sigh.