It's Called Parenting, Stupid

You cannot, I repeat, CANNOT, babysit your own children. Ever hear a guy casually say that? Here's an exchange I heard recently:

FRIEND: Going to Steve's for poker on Saturday?
   DAD: Wish I could, but I gotta babysit.
FRIEND: Why can't your wife stay home with the kid?
   DAD: She's got a girls night out or some such sh*t.
FRIEND: Man, that sucks.
   DAD: Tell me about it.

SOURCE: dreamstime

There are so many things wrong with the above convo, my head is spinning. That said, I'm just going to focus on the one thing that infuriates me - this guy thinks staying home on a Saturday night with his kid is babysitting. This is an ABSOLUTE pet peeve of mine. Listen boys, I know you aren't totally stupid (or maybe I just hope), but perhaps you don't know what the word "babysit" means. Here's a refresher:

babysit: : to care for children usually during a short absence of the parents 

Notice that last bit - absence of the parents? If babysitting is the act of watching kids in the absence of their parents, then PARENTS CANNOT BABYSIT THEIR OWN CHILDREN (sorry for the all caps, but that was really important). When you say that you're babysitting your own kid(s), you are telling me one of two things:

1. You are an @$$hole. 

or 

2. You aren't man enough to parent your child(ren). 

If you're wondering, yes, I just called every clueless dad* out. And, no, I don't feel the least bit bad about it. Are you a father or your wife/girlfriend/partner's sexual lackey, who occasionally watches the kid so your lady can get a little break from all the solo parenting that she's clearly doing? If you said father, then wipe your mouth clean of such an idiotic (and hurtful) phrase. Whether she admits it or not, the mom is NOT amused by you calling your time with the kid babysitting (temporary job) instead of parenting (full-time, no vacations, no overtime pay, never ending job).

Certainly, folks can agree to disagree on things - I know my opinions aren't shared by all (keeps things interesting). This, however, is not an opinion, it just is - a parent cannot babysit their own child. And, just so we're clear, if you disagree about this one - you're dead wrong!

* Frankly this cuts both ways, but I'll be honest, I have never heard a mom say this. If you do, shame on you too!