My daughter’s has a tough road ahead. Her parents do, too.

My five year-old daughter’s declaration to me:

“Daddy, I’m a person, and that means I can say whatever I want. Anything. Whenever I want.”

Nothing was said to incite this comment. I hadn’t corrected her or scolded her in any way. She simply looked up and made this declaration.

I was filled with two simultaneous and divergent thoughts:

1. My God. She’s just like me. That poor child. Her life will be interesting, but it won’t always be easy.
2. My God. My wife and I have a tough road ahead.