Stealing a River Helped Teach My Daughter Important Life Lessons
If you’re not supposed to be doing something, you can rest assured that somebody will come along and tell you
“Come on sweetie, we’re going on an adventure,” I said. “I need you to bring a swimsuit, water shoes, the ace of spades, a harpoon, a laser, three hairpins, a box of colored markers, a roll of duct tape, and a hammer.”
By giving a list of bizarre items, kids are less likely to complain that they don’t want to go.
“I don’t think I have all that stuff, Daddy.”
“Fine, then just put on your swimsuit and water shoes. I’ll handle the rest.”
“Where are we going?”
“We’re going to steal a river! That’s our adventure for the day. Every day has to have an adventure and today I have chosen river piracy. Come on!”
With the right mix of curiosity and confusion, kids will follow you anywhere. They are very much like readers that way.
How the heck can you steal a river?
A mile up the road from my house, there is a gigantic city park. It’s an amazing place with hiking trails, hyenas, two tigers, and a white buffalo. I’m serious. The place has a zoo.
