Puppy Bowl

Do you and your family watch the Super Bowl?

We normally do, but it’s pretty low-key. Just us and some pizza or snacks. Mainly watching the commercials and sometimes the game (if it’s competitive or we have a team in the mix).

This year, our oldest, who is a huge sports fan shared he was underwhelmed by the matchup and said, “remember how we watched the Puppy Bowl when we were younger?” I smiled and acknowledged I remembered, he continued, “do you think we could watch that instead of the game this year!” I had to work to not let a loud “ahhh!” escape my lips. His ask was so cute, almost vulnerable, and quite unlike my oldest. I wonder if he’s realizing us watching the Super Bowl (or any shows) together is nearing an end, and he’s having some nostalgia for earlier days. Regardless, I’ll take it!

Watching the Super Bowl or Puppy Bowl makes no difference to me. My kids wanting to watch with us is the prize. How many folks think there will be some puppies named Taylor, or Swift, or Travis, or Kelce in the Puppy Bowl? Guess we’ll have to tune in and find out.

Enjoy the game!

Hang Time

If you have a teen, do they like hanging out with you?

Are you laughing? I know my teens like to spend some time with their dad and I, but if given the choice, they’d rather be doing something else — hanging out with friends, watching TV, being online, or just alone in their room.

My oldest and I have bonded over the years over sports — collegiate sports specifically. He and I have watched UW (the local home team school) make it all the way to the National Championship game. I was sent an invitation by the school ( unsure how I got on list) to come to a viewing party on campus free of charge. I quickly grabbed four tickets thinking my oldest would want you to go with his friends.

As the game approached I asked him who he was going to go with. It surprised me when he said, “You’re going to come with me, right?” I let him know that of course I would join him, but had assumed he’d rather be there with his friends, not his old mom. 🥰

We ended up going to the viewing party and got to cheer on the team together. It was a bit surreal watching the game on an oversized scoreboard with 4,000 other people. It felt like being in the stadium, but also didn’t. Unfortunately, UW lost, which was disappointing but not heartbreaking for either of us. It was a great memory for me, and hopefully a fun time for my son.

Teens push us away as they get older and crave more independence, I’m grateful my son was willing to ‘hang with mom’ one more time, as he nears the end of high school I’m guessing these opportunities will be far and few between. Why do kids have to grow up so fast? 😊

How do you connect with your child? What’s the last thing you did together that surprised you?