drwex | I am not your usual parent

Recording this for posterity, mostly, and amusement value.

This week we are having the dining room floor redone. To make that possible, we've emptied the room and as part of that emptying the liquor collection is now a mass of bottles in the computer room.

This led to Thing 2 being curious and asking if he could taste various things. Since the kids had already had a reasonable dinner I agreed and they got shot glasses into which I poured very small amounts (a sip or two) of different alcohol types. We sampled a couple rums, gin, and some sweeter things like creme de cacao, Godiva's chocolate liqueur, and so on. Along the way we had an extended discussion of alcohol and why it's restricted so heavily. We talked about how alcohol is absorbed into the blood-stream and some of its effects (*).

All went well to the point where Thing 2 asking if we could repeat the experiment last evening. I suggested it might be good to wait, but no he wanted to try so we continued. A little Oulde gin, some port, and then we got to tequila. I explained the tequila rule (**) and on we went.

Later that night Thing 2 came downstairs feeling quite unwell. A little emotional comfort (***), some chamomile tea, some resting on the couch, and he was ready to go back to bed.

This morning he comes down and tells me that he agrees with my tequila rule. I am BEYOND amused, but all I did was gently point out that he's lucky to have learned it in such a mild manner and that many people have much worse experiences.

Yes, I plan to let my kids sample alcohol with me in the future. No, I'm probably not the usual parent. But damn I'm enjoying this.

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(*) Lately the kids have been more open to these sorts of in-depth discussions, which I love. Earlier in the evening we had talked about why the Reformation had to come after the Renaissance and what that had to do with the founding of certain colonies in America. Trying to do as much of this as possible through Socratic dialogues delights me.

(**) The (my) tequila rule is "no mixing with other alcohols." Drinking tequila means I drink only tequila. I have a similar rule for champagne.

(***) Speaking of emotional comfort, Saturday night Thing 2 was awakened by the sounds of a fireworks display. He came downstairs concerned, I explained, and then there was this awkward pause where he just sort of stood there. I said, "Would you like me to tuck you back in?" He nodded yes, so off we trotted and I got him re-settled, fetched his water bottle for him and kissed him good night on the head. There will come a day when this is no longer possible - in fact, it's pretty rare now that he wants emotional comfort from me - and I am utterly treasuring the days I have.