Oh Ian

Children have the power to take away your ability to speak. And then to make you laugh about it.

I don't know how it came up or how it crossed his mind to say it, but yesterday Ian asked Michael why Michael has "girl hair".

Michael was understandably stunned for a moment. Then he rallied and asked Ian what he meant.

Ian was stunned at that question. Clearly, he meant that Michael's hair was like a girl's hair because it was long like a girl's and shouldn't be.

And to prove his point, he turned and pointed at Cory, who is now sporting a military high and tight, and said "HE has boy hair."

Michael just laughed.

It wasn't the time to get into a great debate about gender roles in society and their implications on our culture.

Besides, it's a lot funnier to remember that you can get an honest response out of children, although not often a tactful or gentle one. If you want an honest assessment of something, you can ask a child - but only if you can handle the truth. Because they don't sugar coat it. And once they say it, you can't make them take it back. Like NEVER ask your kids if something makes you look fat. Because if you are wondering, you either already know that it does or you are fishing for a compliment. Neither of those is a great reason to invite a child to crush your soul.

-k