Emily has found her way to some nonsense video on YouTube. Another American family living life on camera.
I tune out but hear her ask, “Mummy, this family has more people in it than we do, and they are getting a new baby.”
I refuse to respond, remaining buried in emails.
“Mum! Did you hear me? There are more children in this family than ours, and they are getting a new baby.”
“Wow,” I respond.
“Yeah, so why can’t we have a new baby in our family?”
I pause. How can I explain? “Who’s going to look after it?” I ask.
“We all will. Except the diapers, I’m not changing diapers.”
I remain silent, unsure whether to be proud of her ability to set T&Cs, annoyed that this rubbish encourages her to want something seemingly simple to her but complicated in reality, or terrified that using the word diaper reveals how much her language is being influenced by forces other than school, or me.
“Good call Emily.”
Triple Trouble Tribe 