There’s a moment in every parent’s life when it happens. You’re minding your business, casually asking, “How was your day?”—expecting a shrug, a “fine,” or a two-word summary. But then, the floodgates open as it always does. Then you wonder why you were expecting anything else though.
Suddenly, you are no longer a mere guardian of snacks and bedtime schedules—you are now the chosen audience for the epic saga of their day. And let me tell you, it’s always a rollercoaster of emotions, a lot of unnecessary details( necessary if you listen between the lines…if you know what I mean), and oddly specific reenactments.
It starts with an innocent phrase: “So, at school today…” But before you know it, you’re knee-deep in a dramatic retelling of how Timmy took the last red crayon (because apparently, the blue one was not an option), or how Miss Johnson said something “super funny” but your child can’t remember exactly how it was said, and how a random bug was spotted outside the corner of the classroom, causing mass hysteria. You’re nodding along, trying to keep up, mentally questioning how they remember every single detail except where they left their shoes 🙄 .
And just when you think the story is winding down, it takes a wild turn. “Oh! And then—” That’s when you realize: there is no end. It’s an ongoing saga, a Netflix series with infinite seasons.
You’re stuck, fully invested, trying to decipher why the main character (your child) suddenly switched topics from a math test to a discussion on why hamsters would make great astronauts. You glance at the clock. It’s been 37 minutes. Your dinner is cold. But you wouldn’t trade this for anything… so you decide to maybe multitask while you’re at it. That can definitely work!
But enjoy every moment of it, because here’s the thing—someday, they might not tell you everything. Someday, their stories might shrink back into one-word answers. But today, they’re letting you into their world, with all its tiny triumphs, wild imaginations, and overly detailed lunchroom politics.
And as exhausting as it can often be, you realize—these stories? They’re the real magic of parenting.
One tip that works for me every time? I ask, “And then what happened?” even when I think they’re done. That little question keeps the stories flowing, makes them feel heard, and sometimes leads to the funniest details they almost forgot to mention. Try it—you might be in for an unexpected laugh (or a 45-minute monologue on why ‘eating swallow’ should be outlawed)
Do your kids ever turn a simple question into a full-blown TED Talk? What’s the funniest or most unexpected story they’ve ever told you? Share in the comments. I promise to listen (just like you do).😂
XOXO
Yours Truly
Nikimandi
