That Time I Punched a Bus Driver

As a former classroom teacher, and certified girl dad, one of the things I have always believed is that some of the most important lessons in life happen around dinner tables, during car rides, walks, and in the random conversations our children initiate when we least expect it.

As such, for this Father’s Day edition of the Crim’s Class Podcast, I decided to turn the microphone over to two of my favorite people in the world, my oldest daughters Chloe and Caylee. In the first installment of “Ask Daddy Anything, Ask Daughters Anything,” (A.D.A.) they got to ask me whatever they wanted. Mannnn, they definitely didn’t hold back.

One question about whether I got into fights growing up led me to share a story that’s featured in my book: the time I completely lost my temper and hit a bus driver after he took my toy car. We also talked about the importance of listening to our kids, emotional regulation and the role squishes play. This episode is more than a headline about “fighting bus drivers” — it’s a deep conversation about anger, emotional regulation, anxiety, frustration, and how we can learn to manage difficult emotions without hurting ourselves or others.

Additionally, this episode reminded me why conversations with our children matter. It’s important that we do more talking WITH our kids as opposed to simply talking AT them to better understand what they’re grappling with in an era of heightened anxiety and depression. In a world where so many young people turn to social media, influencers, and algorithms for answers, we have an opportunity to create spaces where curiosity is welcomed, hard questions are encouraged, and honest dialogue can thrive.

I hope this conversation inspires more of us to spend a little more time talking with the young people in their lives and a little less time assuming someone else will and should.

Sometimes the most powerful thing we can give our children is our willingness to have a conversation with them.

I hope you enjoy this Father’s Day edition of Crim’s Class on Juneteenth weekend!

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