Note: The family represented in this blog is coming to a theater near you. I can't say that because the family used in this blog doesn't exist.

Let the record show that I love my kids. I would do anything for my kids. I remember them as small little beings that could curl up in the palm of my hand. I remember staying up late at night and working on changing diapers, warming bottles, and just trying to be a good dad.

Then one day, these little beings in which I have raised to grow into proper humans, begin to Turn into teenagers. Those little beings who once looked at me with pride, joy and a fountain of knowledge now continually question any authority. My wife and I don't like it. Not ... one ... bit ...

It was about midday on a Saturday when I noticed the change. I was sitting in the living room, minding my own business, and my son walks in with his Tablet. I was watching a movie and wanted my son to turn down the volume on a tablet.

"Son," I asked, "Could you turn down the volume on your tablet or you some headphones?"

My son's response, "Why do you want me to do that?"

"I don't think I asked you in the form of a question? I asked you to please turn down the volume on your tablet."

"What are you going to do if I don't turn down the volume on my tablet?"

"Take it for a month."

"Why don't you turn down the volume on the TV so I can hear my tablet?"

When the things that we don't always at our house asking answering a question with a question. If I as a parent ask my child to go and do something I expect the child to get it done. It doesn't matter if it is their homework, chores, or anything else.

So I use a different line of questioning.

 I ask, "Who bought you the tablet?"

My son replies, "You did?"

"Where does the Wi-Fi come from to make the tablet work?"

"From the house."

"What about the electric which fills the tablet with life?"

"From the house."

"Do you put any funds across the table so I can pay for the Wi-Fi or the electric to charge the tablet or anything else?"

"Is that what this is about, you want money?"

It was at this time I got tired of the bulls&*t. But instead of just merely taking the tablet, which would only accomplish more animosity and more questions about questions, I had another plan.

I took my phone out of my pocket. Then I went to an app on the phone, which controls the router downstairs. I press the button, shutting off the internet in the house.

Suddenly, my son's tablet stops making noise.

My daughter runs downstairs, "I was doing some research? What happened?"

My wife runs out of the office and goes to the living room. She asks, "I was trying to pay our bills, then the Internet went out. What happened?"

My son chimes in, "Dad over here is trying to make a point."

I say, "Don't you get it? In a few days, it's going to be January 1st of 2019. What kind of person do you want to be? Do you want to be the person who continually questions their parents? How well is that working for you so far? What kind of person do you want to be in 2019? We can see that ratcheting up the questions won't solve the problem. But, in the end, what is that going to accomplish? When I ask you to do something, I expect you to do it, not give me a bunch of questions about why it needs to be done. Last time I checked, we are a family and respect each other's rights and opinions. So, when I ask you to turn down the tablet, it isn't because I am trying to challenge you for a rap battle, but because I asked you to do it."

My son is confused and replies, "Rap battle?"

I smirk and reply, "Ok. Maybe that was the wrong word, but you know what I mean."

My son understood and says, "Ok. Sorry, Dad."

I tap the app which interfaces with the wifi router and the internet goes back on.

My son turns down the volume on his tablet. Many people view the new year as a fresh start. A way to start fresh and improve themselves. It all starts with attitude. If you can't change that and have a clear vision about your future, then it is hard to escape the routines of the past.

That's all I have for the blog. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns: please let me know.