Don't Coddle the Child

Today, instead of working at metamorphosing myself into a monkey, I thought I ought to read about them. So for lunch I went to park to read and to soak up whatever sun I can get before the summer ends. Summer is ending way too quick, days are already much shorter – I know this because I love walking at the park after work and previously there is daylight out at 10, now it’s dark by 9.
A bunch of books came in for me during my week away from work…a couple by Cavell, some hiking trail books and “Love at Goon Park”. I was reading the Goon Park book and was mentally shaking my fist at Watson for thinking that kids should not be coddled and that they should be raised in baby farms away from the parents when my brother, Jeremy (24), called.
I had sent him to go pick out a bicycle for our youngest brother, Alec (11). He called to see if he should pick up some elbow pads and knee pads for Alec.

Me: What the hell? Did you think he was just going get on the bike and fall off?
Brother: I don’t know, he might fall.
Me: Yeah, and he’ll skin a knee, he’s 11, he could use a skinned knee. Be sure to buy him a helmet though.
Brother: Okay.

After I hung up with my brother, I went back to cursing Watson for his don’t-coddle-the-child psychology.