Making It Happen: A Non-Technical Guide to Project Management

Chapter 23. Recording the Fundamentals

"Daddy, why don't you come outside and play with Jake and me?" Sarah asked me as I slumped in front of our home computer.

"Jake and I, honey," I corrected.

"What?" she looked at me questioningly.

"You should say 'Jake and I,' not 'Jake and me.'"

"She was right the first time," Jenny called from the kitchen.

I looked at Sarah and she laughed. "Why don't you go outside and play, and I'll come out and join you in a minute."

I got up and walked into the kitchen with what I hoped was a sufficiently ferocious look on my face. "Dear, how many times have I told you not to embarrass me in front of the children?"

Jenny laughed, just like Sarah. I said, "Let me tell you about one of my favorite quotes. It goes like this: 'Any man can support me when I'm right.What I want is a man who will support me when I'm wrong.' You can just substitute 'woman' for man."

"Who said it?"

"I think you're missing the point."

Jenny laughed again. "But Sarah was right. I didn't want her to learn the wrong way from her dad. In 12 years she might be valedictorian for her graduating class and she'dmake amistake in her speech thanks to you, and be embarrassed about it forever. It would ruin her self-esteem. And she'd probably resent you for the rest of your days. You should be thanking me from saving you from a fate worse than death."

As I tried in vain to come up with a sufficiently snappy comeback, Jenny turned back to the dishes. I gave up trying and grabbed a dish towel ...