Reply #5: I hope he was kidding ...

[Lisa]

I've always respected Lewis Lapham. And kindergarten teachers. I don't think W would last 5 minutes in the classroom, with kids barging around asking unscripted questions. Children are pretty good about spotting phonies, and they would reduce him to a quivering, blubbering mass. (Remember he made that crack about how he's "been to war, and raised twins -- I'd rather go to war"? My guess is that he's done neither. His idea of "helping out" was probably sauntering in around suppertime and holding little Jenna on his lap long enough to realize she needed changing ... then handing her off to Laura and pouring himself a nightcap.)

But I do know what Lapham means about the sing-song thing. Most kids I've met loathe it when adults put on a fake-cheery manner and talk down to them. And * isn't even good at it.