Back Off Jack

I remember dancing with my dad as a little girl. I dressed up, dimmed the lights and probably picked a terrible 80's song to dance to. My dad and I would slow dance and I loved this affectionate attention...even though Lisa and Jenny were usually waiting to take over at the next song. My dad taught us to say, "Back OFF Jack," if any young man tried to dance with his girls, and we practiced.

This phrase stuck with me and Deacon explained to Madeline to use it if a boy ever tries to kiss her (except for uncles, grandpas and brother). Along with the phrase, she practiced a punch to administer to the unlucky boys mouth. She had it down! So when she came home from school and explained that one of her classmates got punched in the face I praised her for her obedience. When dad got home and she retold what happened we learned that after she had gotten a kiss from this particular boy, she did yell, "Back off Jack!" but then proceeded to explain to him first that he was about to be punched, because that is what dad told her to do. What a lady to explain first. Next time (hopefully not a next time), she will be ready to punch without warning. She even informed the unaware P.E. teacher, "My dad told me to punch him."