In honor of Global Day of Parents, we’re celebrating the humor that so often shows up in parenting, caregiving and supporting loved ones. Through this special DIVE In blog post, Blue Yonder associates share funny, honest and unexpected moments that remind us laughter is often one of the best parts of caring for others.
Rajesh Kumar Konda, Manager II ITG, India: When my son was a toddler, COVID-19 restrictions meant he could not play with other children. It was hectic for us to manage our work while engaging him. One day, one of our neighbors said something which put all we were going through in one single sentence, “When a kid is sleeping, we as parents will be waiting for them to wake up. But soon after they wake up, we will waiting for them to sleep back.”
Melanie Priestley, Associate Success Lead, U.K.: When my son Sam was a toddler and spotted a heavily tattooed man in a supermarket aisle he asked in a very loud voice, “Mummy why has that man drawn all over himself?” Every time I see a person with tattoos it reminds me and makes me smile.
Leo Valaris, Sr. Customer Success Director, Australia: "Dad, may I ask you a question?" Me: "You just did". This soon developed into, "dad, may I ask you two questions?"
James Hollywood, Solution Architect, U.K.: On World Book Day, my son dressed as Darth Vader. He turned to me and said, "Daddy, I am your father!" Still makes me smile.
Courtney Armstrong, Associate Success Lead, U.S.: We had just bought a brand new white couch the week before when I walked into the living room and found that my 2-year-old son had colored all over it. I gasped, “Oh no, Finn—why did you do this?!” Without missing a beat, he looked at me and said, “Because I wanted to.”
Wade Mengel, Expert Support Engineer, U.S.: We lived near a racetrack. My daughter visited in the summer when she was about six and asked, 'What is that noise?" (referring to the buzzing noise of the racetrack). With a straight face, I told her that was the great mosquito migration that the path of millions of mosquitoes migrated up the road from us. We can still see her jumping up and down at the window trying to see far enough up the street to see the "phenomenon." She was not (and still is not) amused.
Anna Cruz, CVP - Associate Success, U.S.: One morning, I was driving my three kids to school—each three years apart in age—when we stopped at a light and saw a young woman asleep on the side of the road in a sleeping bag. My oldest, who has always had a deeply empathetic heart, put her hand on her chest and said, “Oh no, mom! There’s a girl sleeping on the side of the road!” My son, who sees the world through logic, immediately said, “What? Why is she sleeping on the side of the road? That’s stupid!” Harsh wording, yes—but in his mind he meant unsafe and not logical. Then, just as the light turned green, my youngest daughter stretched out her hand and said, “Mommy, stop! We need to go back and get her and bring her home so she has a place to sleep.” In one brief moment, all three of their personalities showed up so clearly: empathy, analysis and action. It is such a vivid reminder that you can raise your children the same way, yet each one will still see the world completely differently.
Melanie Holden, OTC Coordinator, U.S.: One winter day while driving, my daughter asked me, “Mom, why are all the trees naked?” Now every winter, I can’t help but laugh at all the “naked” trees because of her.