Ahh, being a parent.

[Skulhedface]

I remember the good ol' days, before the married with children thing happened to me, where I could afford to be the long haired, bearded, cynical badass participating in badassery and general shenanigans. After all, I had an image to uphold (chuckles).

But fast forward a few years later. My little boy goes to day care and loves it. He always has a smile on, even since the first day. I guess he, too, had an image to uphold, but for some reason, today he chose to bawl like... well, like a baby when I dropped him off. And since I've never seen him react like that, it made me, too, start crying.

So, uh, what the eff? I'd like to forget this happened and go back to speculating whether Guile or Kid 'n' Play were the originators of the flat top haircut.

[Misdemonar]

KILL THEM BOTH AND YOU CAN BE COOL AGAIN

[Colonel Flagg]

My 2-year old has been going to pre-school for the past 2 weeks. He's very excited about it at home, reminding me to get his jacket, shoes, etc. Then we get there and he turns all shy and needy, you know "don't leave daddy daddy daddy!". I've learned (the hard way, it turns out) that you need to steel yourself, kiss him goodbye, say "See ya later, dude!" and walk out the door.

Hard to do, but it's easiest on everyone, including him.

EDIT: Did I mention it also helps if you've been drinking heavily?

[mburbank]

Yeah, you'll get used to it. Mine are 9 and almost 14 now and my self image is a distant ghost. You stop worrying about not being cool, because it's so crystal clear you aren't.

Oh, wait, you're the Dad, right.

Yeah. Yeah. Belly up to the all you can eat humiliation buffet.

[Tadao]

Take video of him with your phone and tell him your gonna show it to his future girlfriend. Remember, as a parent, it is your duty to collect as much blackmail as possible. Imagine if your dad carried a camera/video recorder EVERYWHERE HE FUCKING WENT.

[Sam]

KID N PLAY MAY HAVE INVENTED IT, BUT GUILE PERFECTED IT.

[LordSappington]

Whenever you get tired of doing the whole 'Santa' charade, just tell them you caught him breaking in, and murdered him. Your kids will either think you're a total badass, or they'll fear you and never act up again.

[Skulhedface]

Max: I kinda thought kids would think their parents were cool regardless until the teenage years. Maybe I'm a nerd but I still think my dad's cool, and I'm (hours away from) 28.

Sam: I think I agree. More people remember Street Fighter than House Party.

Sappington: My kid's too young for the Santa charade just yet. I always told myself I wouldn't bullshit my kid, therefore no easter bunny or Santa or whatnot, but now, I dunno, I kinda feel like that'd rob it of the magic. Meanwhile, if I go the whole nine yards, I just hope I don't end up like Phoebe Cates's dad in Gremlins.

[Dr. Boogie]

[Colonel Flagg]

Happy Birthday Skull. Tomorrow.