Bear Foot Family

My son has a pair of bear slippers. During a routine shopping trip he convinced me to buy a pair too (they were half price after all). He was so excited on the ride home. He started thinking about all the possibilities that were opening up. His Mom could get a pair as well, and then we would be The Three Bears. His sister could be Goldilocks because she’s a girl and has blonde hair, “even if she doesn’t like hot cereal.” (He offered to eat her share.) She could sleep in his bed, too, and we could all stand around and wake her up. He was immensely happy.

I realize that this phase doesn’t last very long in parenthood. Your kids only want to copy you and be like you for a few years, and then they want to… differentiate. Which is all the more reason to speak in a gruff voice and embrace my new role as Papa Bear, as we bond in our bear feet and live the fairy tale while it lasts.