The vast amount of knowledge I have gained as a parent has surprised me and continues to deliver awe on a daily basis. I have learned to admit when I am wrong and how to apologize, that I must pick my battles and can’t solve everything, and how to take better care of myself because there is someone else who depends on me. And to anyone who believes I am terribly irresponsible today, the beer, the cussing and wearing my shoes on the furniture, should have met me ten years ago, I was so much more FUN!

The latest lesson from my seven year-old son, Azul, was in Linguistics. I have been a huge advocate for the Dual Language program at school and completely support his multi-lingual pursuits at all levels.

His question was, “Do you know how to say, ‘no’ in (insert various language here)?”

My answer to each language he presented was shockingly, “No.”

He impressively went through five different languages correctly and then finally came to his last language asking, “Do you know how to say, ‘no’ in Gangster?”

I didn’t immediately answer, and a million thoughts of my young life living in Albuquerque’s South Valley flashed before me. After a short pause I said … wait for it, “No.”

If you are unfamiliar with how to say “no” in Gangster, consider yourself schooled.