Some of the challenges of being a modern parent

“Daddy,” he asks, “when I grow up, do I have to marry a girl?”

“You don’t have to marry anyone,” I tell him

“You can stay here and hang out with me forever.”

He screws up his nose a little at that.

“Maybe,” I say, “you’ll meet a lady you really like

Someone funny and kind, and you’ll marry her.”

“Like mummy.”

“Exactly,” I say, in case she’s listening behind the door.

“Or maybe you’ll meet a nice man

And decide to marry him.”

“A man?”

“Like our friends, Andy and Ben.”

“I like them,” he says. “So can I marry Felix?”

“You can’t marry your brother, no.”

“Oh. Can I marry Ava?”

“No, we don’t usually marry our cousins either.”

He rolls around, trying to align the covers perfectly

The duvet and quilt have to be perfectly square

Touching the corners of the foot of the bed.

Despite this he sprawls out like a drunk starfish.

“You don’t have to decide yet,” I reassure him

Tucking him back in for the fifth time.

“Do you think you might want to have babies

When you’re a grownup?” 

I ask wistfully.

He’s already so big.

I remember when he was so tiny and frail

And trying not to tear up.

I tousle his pelt of hair, and lightly kiss his brow.

He scowls up at me, like I’m the stupidest person he’s ever met.

“Don’t be so silly,” he tells me

“Boys don’t lay babies.”