Call Me Mr. Archbold

Doesn’t anyone want to be a grown-up anymore?

When I was a child I wanted to grow up to be an adult. But now it seems so many of the adults I meet seemingly want to be children.

I met an old friend recently and had my five kids in tow. I introduced him as Mr. So-and-so. And right away he interrupts me and says to my kids, “Oh, just call me Ed. Mr. So-and-so was my father.”

So my children look nervously between me and “Ed,” and they opt for quick hellos and avert their eyes.

What is it with people?

I know he meant it as a way to connect with my children, but isn’t it really an obstacle in that it confuses the relationship? My mother has friends who I wouldn’t dream of calling by their first name. In fact, I don’t even know their first names now that I think about it.

Read the rest at the National Catholic Register.