Social Media Made My Kids Think I Was Cool..For A Minute

(Note: This post is pretty much off my usual subject of Social Media)

First, I know I am not cool. So, let us take those jokes off the table right away. I know I am a geek. I get it. I can live with it. It works for me.

A little background information on my family and let me  answer the common questions I get, when I tell people I have 5 kids:

-Yes, I said 5

-Yes, with the same woman

-Nope, we did not plan it that way

-… no medicine or help was involved

-3 boys, 2 girls.. last set is boy/girl twins

– Let me see, they are 10, 8, 7, 3, 3 going on 16

-Yep, it is a lot of work, my wife is a rockstar

Okay, now moving forward.

The oldest kids are now easily embarrassed by the things I say and do. Especially when they are with their friends.  On different occasions, I have threatened to stand up in their class and dance or sing. They do not like that idea at all. It works great to get them to make their bed.

So, the other day I was in the car with them and one of them asked: “How was work today Dad?”

After the shock of being asked this simple question wore off, I explained I had been speaking at the Netroots Nation: Bay Area New Media Summit.

After the shock of hearing people actually wanted their father to stand up and speak on a subject, I was asked: “What did you talk about?”

After the shock of the kids being interested in something other than, what was for dinner, when we are going to see then Wolverine movie, or if their friends can sleep over, I replied stunned: ” How to Socialize Your Video”.

I then quickly continued before they could lose interest or notice the billboard ad for Cold Stone Creamery, ” I was on a panel with Hooman from the local radio. As well as a person from YouTube.”

“Youtube!!! No way! Can we go to YouTube? Can we make a video to put on YouTube? That is so…COOL!” (okay so they did not say I was cool, but its the best I can get, Ill take it) Then one of  them said ” I cant wait to tell Susie you know someone at YouTube. ”

Trying to keep this open line of communication going on, I tried to think of what they would consider “cool companies” I added “Yep, I also know people  at Club Penguin and Google too!” They were still in awe. They looked at me with, well… Pride! Not like an ATM like they normally do.

This is the point where I should of quit, while I was ahead.  I stupidly said,” Lets see, I know people who work at Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter…” the look of pride quickly changed to a look of “What is the fat old guy talking about? Why is he not giving us McDonald’s?”

The oldest quickly said, “That is great Dad. My birthday is coming up in July, I want to discuss what plans you are putting together… ”

So, thank you social media for allowing me this moment of feeling..cool. Now back to being the geek I am.

Just an observation to add to this. I am shocked somewhat  that companies are becoming “cool”.  I recently went to SXSW and brought the kids back a ton of swag. They weren’t interested in the shirts, the Frisbee, the squeeze balls or even the candy. They all wanted the items with the logo.. Google.

Times are changing.