Teasing The Dad Joke

“Dad, I”m cold.”

You can guess where this is going.
I walk over, extend my hand and he takes it. As I shake his hand I say “Hi, Cold. I’m Dad.”

He smiles for a second then it quickly melts into a frown.
I chuckle and Xavier gets further upset.
“That wasn’t very nice.”
“Oh, come on. I was only teasing.”
“I know. It wasn’t very nice.”

Xavier is the first of my children to actually push back with regards to teasing. I am not used to it. The other kids will actually tease me back or join in on the joke. Last night at dinner for example we were having baked ziti. Dela asked for more, “But just a little bit.”

I returned from the kitchen with one piece of pasta on her plate.

She at it, handed me her plate again and said “More please!”

What am I going to do with Xavier?