Duct Tape

If only you could anticipate when some allegedly loving family member is going to come out with something hateful or hurtful or just astonishingly clueless. But it often comes out of nowhere, doesn't it? A question in the midst of an otherwise safe conversation, a few words in passing, an overheard exchange among nearby relatives. And by the time you realize that, oh my gosh, he said THAT! it's too late to give a comeback that defends your child, or cover your child's ears to keep her from hearing. If only you could anticipate, you could make good use of a roll of duct tape. As it is, at least those Say WHAT? comments make for good stories later on.