The Art of Purposefully Getting it Wrong: A Dad's Guide to Memorable Moments
FAMILY AND RELATIONSHIPS
8/8/20252 min read
The Wrongest Dad on Purpose (And Proud of It)
As a dad, there’s this unspoken pressure to be the all-knowing, never-wrong fountain of wisdom. You’re supposed to have the answers, fix the toys, and know exactly how long to microwave dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets.
But here’s the twist—some of my best parenting moments came from embracing my wrongness. Yep, on purpose.
When my son went through his Daniel Tiger phase, I knew every single song by heart. (Confession: I still catch myself humming “Grown-ups come back” in the grocery store.) One day, just for fun, I sang along… wrong. Not a little wrong, either—more like, “Brush your teeth with mashed potatoes” wrong.
The reaction? A wide-eyed, toddler side-eye that could cut glass, followed by, “Nooo, Daddy! That’s NOT how it goes!” That, my friends, was parenting gold.
Why Getting It Wrong Works
This goofy little trick does a few big things:
It shows kids adults can be wrong—and that’s okay. No crisis, no loss of authority, just a silly moment we both laugh about.
It makes the real lesson stick. Nothing motivates a kid to remember the right words like the urgent need to correct Dad.
It creates priceless bonding moments. A cheeky grin and a little “gotcha” energy? That’s parenting fuel.
Planting Seeds of Curiosity
Sometimes my son doesn’t catch the mistake in the moment. That’s fine—I just circle back later. “Hey buddy, remember when I said Daniel Tiger wears socks on his head? What was the real song again?” Suddenly, he’s the star of the show, confidently setting the record straight. That’s critical thinking disguised as a giggle-fest.
Making Mistakes Fun
Kids love it when parents drop the “serious grown-up” act and get playful. It teaches them that learning isn’t just about right answers—it’s about exploring, testing, and sometimes laughing at how wrong you can be. Bonus points if your “mistake” is so ridiculous they can’t help but correct you.
So, fellow dads, here’s your permission slip: mess it up. On purpose. Sing the wrong lyrics. Mangle a story. Tell them pizza grows on trees and wait for the debate. You’ll get laughter, connection, and—without them even realizing it—lessons that stick for life.
And who knows? You might just become the “wrongest” dad on purpose… and your kids will absolutely love you for it.