Know thyself

Today one of my fellow SNBC/kickball friends had replied to a general kickball call-out e-mail after which I sent him a one-off message inquiring how he and his "happily-pregnant-with-first-child" wife were doing. He indicated the usual stuff--wife feeling good but getting tired, swelling up in the summer, so he's helping out more, etc...

He then told me they were starting on their daycare search and asked if I had any suggestions.

I let him know how very fortunate we were to have family care for our children and gave him the name of a mutual co-worker who quite recently went through a very thorough daycare selection process and would have a ton of information to share.

In my infinite wisdom though, I thought I should send him some little parental nugget. Instead of giving him suggestions on daycare, I went this route:

So the only advice I have to give is this (and it also applies to raising your
baby and everything else down the road): each person’s opinion is just
that—opinions. Many people will try to influence you with their
perspective of how things should be and that their way is better. You do
what you feel is right for your lifestyle and your child’s needs.

I hit send.

He was kind and replied: Thanks for the advice!

I processed that for a moment, then replied back:

Ooh! And I should also warn you---I am probably the biggest offender of
sharing my opinions or offering unsolicited advice. Just tell me to shove
it anytime and I won’t be offended.

His response: HAHAHAHAHAHA

I think that was his polite way of telling me to shove it...

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One more thing: I will have you all know that the "tell me to shove it" offer is not extended to everyone who reads this (you know who you are!).

:)