When you have kids,
older parents love to tell you, "They grow up so fast."
Blech.
It's like the only thing older parents say.
But that's because it's true.
They're born, then suddenly talking,
then getting their ears pierced.
Before you know it,
they smell weird and make confusing choices.
I read that 80 percent of the total time
you will spend with your kid in their entire life
is over before the age of 12.
- What's the baby's name? - Minerva, sweetheart.
Say hi. - I like the name Lily.
Hi, Lily. - Hmm.
We're sticking with Minerva.
Minerva.
Minnie. Ah. - Mm-hmm.
Nerva. No.
I'm forcing it. Nicknames will come.
I will say, Minerva is a lot fancier than Corey.
Well, I hardly think Coreyander is a plain name.
Corey's full name is Coreyander?
Mm-hmm. It's European.
I'm hung-y. - If we don't eat lunch soon,
we're gonna forget about it and then we'll all be mean.
But I'm not done visiting Lily.
She doesn't even know you're here.
- She does, too.
No, she doesn't Viv. Yes, she does.
There's another expression that parents use,
"The years are short, but the days are long."
You're not hungry, you're hangry.
No, I'm not!
Just listen to yourself, you're so hangry.
I'm not hangry!
- I don't understand. - Well, we swapped those two
because this one starts earlier and I can do that this week.
Okay.
So, this Saturday is the only day
we all have free 'til summer's over?
That appears to be true.
Let's do one awesome,
memorable family activity, as a whole family.
Yeah, can you think of a single memorable thing
that all three children enjoy? - Sure!
Mm-hmm.
Riding an elephant.
Ice cream... festival. - Okay.
Can we think of something that all three children will enjoy,
that is in the city and exists?
No!
Stop being a butt-munch!
Give it back! - Nope. You're not getting this.
You're not gonna get it. Stop!
Okay, stop.
Hey. - Disengage.
Viv drew a picture of me being stabbed by an alligator.
And Felix won't give it back!
Okay, don't draw mean pictures anymore.
And where did you learn the word "butt-munch?"
Oh, Jimmy Millions. It's my favourite podcast.
Here, check this out.
He's getting out of his car.
He's pulling something out of his pocket.
What is it?
Quick!
Okay, Felix, turn that off.
I don't know what they're doing. But here's what we're doing,
something fun together this weekend as a family.
Hey, put those groans back in your mouths!
We have one free day this summer
so we're gonna do something fun together.
I don't want to-ah. I wanna go outside-ah.
Yes, so do we. Some of the most fun stuff
happens outside of this house, believe it or not.
Good-ah.
Okay, get ready for school-ah, okay?
Felix, you too. I'm leaving in ten minutes.
Easy, easy. All right, get outta here.
Okay, come on, you heard Mommy. Let's go.
I got my ear pierced again.
Dad, I got another piercing.
What?
I said Felix farted on me.
Oh, uh, tell him not to do that.
No, it was funny. I just wanted you to know.
Okay, the last of the yarn is on its way to Gero's.
And we are officially done in Bo's basement.
Hey, did you book your summer vacation yet?
Ugh, what vacation? It's a week.
I didn't even get the same week Astrid got.
You? - Hmm. Not yet.
But Zinnia hasn't had a drop of friggin' alcohol
in nine months, so we're about to drink our friggin' faces off
all the way through Europe. - Hmm.
You guys, guess where I'm going for the summer?
Robotics camp. I have a girlfriend there.
- Yeah. - Huh.
I did not know he was there.
Did I say anything a child shouldn't hear?
You said "frig" a bunch. A weird amount of times.
Oh, my girlfriend just sent me a really funny text.
Going through Europe, without a destination?
Just like going? That's the dream.
Just like, travelling on a whim.
- Whim is my compass. - Did you make that up?
It's from a song. - Oh.
Gentlemen...
Time is money. Spend it on family.
That's very good advice.
It's the name of my lecture series,
based on my essay about working less
and focusing on family.
Just, you are focusing on family though, right?
Because it kinda sounds like you're starting a new business.
- James, I won't make that same mistake again.
Oh, my God. Dad, look.
My girlfriend just sent me a poem.
Oh, my God, that's so wond...
- Right?
SlowBo Enterprises. Bo speaking.
But the po... Dad, did you see?
President of Gero's wants to see us.
Frig.
Dawn. Hello, hello. Hi.
Listen, I really can't stay.
Yeah, we've overbooked the entire summer.
So, we only have a day
where we can all hang out as an entire family,
so I have to find a fun activity for us to do on Saturday.
Now Astrid, what kind of activity are you looking for?
I don't know, I was thinking
maybe a picnic by the Humber River?
- A river? - Oh, watch out for snakes,
ticks, and that invasive fish that secretes poison.
And bring a frisbee.
You know the company that throws that Halloween party
that I invite you to every year? - Nope.
Well, they're doing an immersive
Alice in Wonderland experience. Foods, costumes, rides.
It's not to my taste, but your river family would love it.
Oh, would we, Dawn?
Would our simple brains enjoy a chance...
Oh, my God, this looks amazing. Yeah, we'll do this.
So, where's Marla?
I don't know, she told us to meet her here.
Look, she's gonna want us to work on the weekend.
I can't do that. I need your help just
backing her off on that idea, okay?
Okay, I'll definitely give it a shot.
Hopefully she's in a reasonable mood.
Welcome to my mobile office.
Congratulations, Marla.
You finally made it to the iron throne.
Okay, just here you go. - Oh.
That's from both of us, by the way.
- No, it is not. - Thank you.
I have spent my entire life clawing my way to the top.
And now, I finally get to do what I've always dreamed of.
Start a family.
- Oh, Marla, that's amazing. - I'm so happy for you.
I didn't know you wanted to do that.
Of businesses.
- Right. - There it is.
Gero's is the mommy. GoBo is the first born.
I want more children.
Dry cleaners, pharmaceuticals, a pro rugby team.
I want a list of business babies on my desk by Monday.
Oh, now Marla, it's Friday, so.
So, you want us to find you a bakery to buy?
- No, no, Ennis. - Yes! Exactly.
Catch up, James. - Yeah, James, ketchup...
...factory, eh? Ha, ha!
Big list, on my desk, Monday.
I'm up! Thank you for letting me sleep, my family.
Dad. - But did you finish your work?
Ah, yes, I found a candy store,
an auto repair shop, and an indie record label
for Gero's to swallow up.
I'm good. - Great.
That means that our super fun family activity day can begin.
Yeah!
Okay, can anyone guess what we might be doing?
- Going to school? - No, it's the weekend.
- Paintball? - No.
- The zoo? - No.
Are we going to the concert?
No.
Fireworks? Nope.
I can't do any of that. I'm hanging out with Maya.
You mean, making out with Maya.
- No. No.
I'm not.
Are we getting a dog? Are we getting two dogs?
No, no.
Okay, it's better than that. Let me tell you.
We are going to Alice's Immersive Wonderland Experience.
It's like a big carnival.
There's rollercoasters, there's cotton candy,
there's twirly bits. - There's a rollercoaster?
Can we please go to this?
- Yes! - That's, yep,
that's what we're doing. - Just said that.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Ready to get immersed?
Welcome to Alice's Immersive Wonderland!
This is like if "yikes" was a place.
Okay, well, let's just give it a minute.
Maybe it'll be fun.
Welcome to Wonderland!
I'm late! Chase me.
We would very much like our money back.
No, no, but you don't understand, I'm very, very late.
I'm not even close to being on time. Look!
Where's the rides?
Well, the best ride of all
is the one in your imagination.
Second best, piggyback ride. Hop on!
No, don't. Hey, back off. Just...
What? Ah, my timepiece!
Is this from "Star Wars?"
Guys, come on. Okay, oh my goodness.
Guys, guys, guys.
Welcome to Alice's cotton candy stand.
I am the Mad Hatter. - In what way?
That doesn't matter. This stuff looks good. Tell us about it.
I've been making artisan cotton candy
for 28 years next year.
- So, 27 years. - Yes.
What flavours do you have?
I have sundried tomato and thyme,
lovage, egg, and plain.
Egg cotton candy.
- Mm-hmm. - I'll try the plain, please.
Thank you.
It tastes like a t-shirt.
It's very hard to do.
Ooh! Oh.
- Time is running out! - Oh, no.
♪ Time is running out, tick-tick ♪
Okay. Just, okay.
Even for the kids, it'll come for you.
Come on, guys, let's get outta here.
Time is running out! Easy, easy.
For all of us! - I said, get outta here.
- Wanna go to the tea party? - Get outta here! Get out!
Oh, I love it!
Why don't you come to the tea party?
It's far away! We gotta take a bus!
But there's snacks!
Oh no! My surfing trip is ruined.
I was a fool to believe
there was a magical thing we'd all enjoy.
A fool, James.
Remember when we could just go someplace on a whim?
God, when we just got in the car and we drove
to the West Coast to visit your mom in Tofino?
Yes. That was so fun.
Hmm, little complicated 'cause I haven't seen my mom
since she left me when I was six.
And then, on the way back,
you caught that bunny with your bare hands.
Reggie? - Yes, Reggie!
Oh, Reggie, baby.
Ah, being in a car with you was just so fun.
You know what? I'm not giving up on today.
We're together, that's all we need.
Let's do something simple.
Yeah, we did this last time, remember?
We um, invented a whole board game with the necklaces.
"What The Neck?" Yeah, "What The Neck?"
Everybody loved "What The Neck?"
Well, what the neck are we waiting for?
Yeah!
What the neck!
So, I get a red necklace, and that puts me in the lead.
Ha, ha. Viv, your turn.
- First randomizer, six. - Six.
Morris randomizer is a six!
Queen of Hearts! - Yes!
Now what happens? Hmm? Hmm? Hmm?
Oh.
I'mma pick another one.
Well, hold on a minute.
Queen, 12 means something.
- Right, yes, it does. - Yes. It does.
Okay, so if the middle bowl has more blue...
Right.
How about while we play
we listen to some Jimmy Millions?
Do you see this?
Is it like this one?
Yes, but now it's one of these.
Felix, we can't.
No one understands what's happening.
The sounds are different things.
Okay, so...
Viv, Viv, honey.
Guys, come on. Everyone pay attention to our fun.
Come on, listen to Mom.
Mom, is everything okay?
These are the instructions for my plants.
Why am I taking care of your plants?
Where are you going? - I'm working.
I told you this.
Uh, no you didn't.
Remember? Your friend Bethany
with the green eyes and the cool tattoo?
Well, her mother started a clinic in Iqaluit,
and they need nurses.
So, you're moving to the Arctic?
No, not moving, just going for a while.
With all my stuff. To live.
Mom, you can't just zip off to a new geographical region.
Why not? All my friends have adventures.
Losing their feet, or, or burning their faces off.
You want a face burning story?
I want my own story to tell.
I wanna see the Northern Lights.
Anyway, I leave in a couple of weeks!
Wait, Mom, no you can't
because you have to watch the kids
the first week of summer. We don't have camp.
You never asked me to do this.
Well, I was supposed to, Mom, quite honestly.
Well, honestly, I would have said no.
My flight's booked. I leave in a couple of weeks.
I'm really excited.
Yeah, they're, they're lucky to have you, Mom.
We'll figure it out. - Yes. Yes, you will.
Aw.
Ah, look, I can enroll Viv in bread camp this week.
Different loaf every day. - Ovens in the summer, James?
That's a bad idea.
Mom, Dad, come quick!
Yeah, one second!
Okay, I think I can move
Felix's skateboarding thing up here,
but Morris' play camp is across town.
You know what? I think I can get this week off.
Okay, but Marla only gave you one week.
It doesn't line up with my week. - One sec.
Hey, buddy.
Ennis, have you booked your week yet?
I need your week. - Ooh.
What do you mean, "ooh?"
We just booked the week off work.
We're going to Ireland. Forget Europe.
Ireland is in Europe, buddy. Sure, sure, sure.
We were at an Irish pub trying to see
who had the worst Irish accent
and we decided to let the Irish decide.
I'm Oppenheimer.
Here's me hat.
Have you ever tipped a ewe?
That's a sheep. Hi, James.
Isn't she the best?
I'm very happy for you, buddy. I'll see you on Monday.
Oh, see you. Bye!
Ta, ta!
That's British. - That's fine, it worked.
Mom, Dad, come quick!
What's up, guys? You figure out a new game?
Queens mean exchange necklace with someone.
- Yes! - Yes, and Kings mean
you switch places on the board.
I did that all the time with Mommy.
You did! You were my nemesis.
Okay, I want my revenge.
Okay, let's do it. - First of all,
these go over here, and these go over here.
- And the rock! - Rock has to go in the forest.
I think we could probably push bedtime
a little later tonight. Yes!
And what do you wanna eat? Do you wanna eat that quiche?
Or I was thinking, hmm, here's an idea, pizza?
Pizza! Pizza!
- Pizza! Pizza! - Okay, James, go, go, go.
Here we go. Got the red one.
Oh, Queen of Spades.
Ooh, okay, so that means
I have to switch necklaces with Viv.
What the neck?
Ugh, Viv has a bug! No, I don't!
- Wait, what? Felix. - What do you mean
she has a bug? - Behind your ear.
I just saw it.
Let me see, let me see, let me see.
What do you mean, there's a bug? - I don't have one. See, Mommy? Look!
- James, she has a tick.
She got it from that Wonderland nightmare.
Lyme disease. Anaplasmosis.
Relapse fever? Sounds like that comes back.
The doctor said the tick wasn't in her long enough.
Doctors say all kinds of stupid stuff, James.
"Drink eight glasses of water per day.
Get eight hours of sleep."
What, is eight the magic health number?
That game was so fun. - I know.
I wanna play it again. In the fall I guess?
Mm-hmm.
Can you believe my mom's leaving?
She didn't say anything before.
Did she mention anything to you?
James, is this a new kind of spiral?
Or what's, what's happening? James?
Whoa!
I wanna drive across the country with you again
and I wanna take the kids.
- For spring break? - No, now.
I wanna take you and I wanna take the kids,
and I wanna drive across country.
What, what about our jobs? And school?
And being trapped in a van with our children for weeks?
Maybe months.
Months?
What?
How would we even afford that, especially if we're not working?
James, that's insane.
Yes, it is insane. It is absolutely insane.
But there's never gonna be a perfect time to do this.
And right now, we are having a hard time
fitting our family into our schedule.
Okay, and all our other issues, we just... ignore
and quietly worry about at night?
As we do. I mean, we're gonna worry anyway.
Might as well do it under the Northern Lights.
- Or the Rocky Mountains. - Oh.
It's not Rocky Mountain Fever.
Uh... Hi.
I have antibiotics for Viv.
- Oh, okay, yeah. - Okay, thank you.
Um, wait, how often does she have to take these?
Only once.
And honestly, it's just precautionary.
So, sorry to keep you waiting.
As older parents say, "The time goes by so quickly."
If you look back to the beginning,
you can't believe how fast it's gone.
You mark time by the firsts.
First words, first steps, first loose tooth.
But you can't know when it's the last time.
The last time you hold hands.
The last time you pick them up.
The last time you put them to bed.
The last time you all fit on one couch.
Your kids slowly grow up, one last at a time.
So, even though there's lots of studies,
and research, and pithy posts about parenting...
You might have to ignore it all
and go with your gut.
And what about the study that I started with?
Do kids make you less happy? Or more happy?
Well, for us, it's kind of both.
Less happy, more happy. More scattered, more frustrated.
More scared? More grounded, more proud.
More connected.
More... life.
So, no knock on anyone who doesn't want kids.
We don't blame you.
Maybe you wanna focus on your career.
Or maybe it doesn't fit your lifestyle.
But if you do have kids,
whether it's one or lots.
Whether you and your partner have lots of resources.
Or you're a single parent busting your butt
to make it work.
Kids will take the life you had and utterly ruin it.
And then replace it with a life
that's more full of... everything.
♪ You are here ♪
♪ And so am I ♪
♪ Maybe millions of people ♪
♪ Go by ♪
♪ But they all disappear ♪
♪ From view ♪
♪ And I only have eyes ♪
♪ For you ♪
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