Ever since my oldest son purchased his Nook tablet, he and his mom have been in a tug-of-war over when he’s allowed to use it. We have strict limits on how much screen time the kids are allowed, and she has additional restrictions on the tablet. I’m a little more easygoing when it comes to tablet-time, but parents have to back up parents, so I’ve been dragged into the fray.

The other evening, he was showing me a game on the tablet when his mom announced that it was time for bed.

He put his tablet down and he and his brother headed for their rooms.

“Showers!” my wife called. “Don’t forget showers!”

Then, in a moment of true irony, she went back to her office to work on her computer.

My son poked his head out of his room, looked around, then walked into the kitchen.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“Getting my tablet.”

“For your shower?”

He blinked at me, glanced at his room, then looked at me again.

“Cause I’m thinking that using your tablet in the shower might not be such a good idea,” I said.

He let out a dramatic sigh, then turned to go back to his room.