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 nine-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.

Summer Vacation

Ever since kindergarten, it has been Daddy’s regular practice to give Julia a healthy dose of daily homework involving reading, math, Japanese and journal writing. It’s morning as both are getting their day started…

Daddy: On the table I have a multiplication sheet; I want you to read a chapter of your book, and I want you to write an episode in your journal.

(pause)

Julia: Daddy, you know that, um, I have that Spring Break? Um, what is this one called; Summer….?

Daddy: …Vacation?

Julia: That’s right! VACATION! I’m on vacation!

Daddy: (sigh)