I’ve been a stay-at-home dad for 12 years.

It amazes me when I’m out in a public setting, like a doctors office, with my whole crew and the women in that space feel the need to “help” me with my children.

I don’t think I telegraph a lack of confidence or cluelessness about how to shepherd children in public spaces, but the women are always ready to jump in and give it their all.

The most irritating thing is that they default to the tactics that they use, unnaturally loud and rapid speech, directed two grade levels below the child they address. All the while, countering my calm and clear attempts to get the child to do what we need.

I guess they missed the clue that these kids are used to responding to a different type of direction. That clue was when they walked into the room and all of us were seated quietly, reading our books.