We have a secret word in our family – it’s a code word that is never ever given to anyone outside our family. It’s reserved for emergency use only. It’s for those situations when something comes up that Annie and Erin don’t know in advance and someone else has to pick them up.
Yesterday one of my besties called for help. Because of a communication hiccup between her husband and EVERYONE else, her daughter was just off the bus – home alone – with no way to get inside the house. I live nearby so was happy to tool on over to bring her home with me. Before I invited her in the car, though, I said, "Here talk to your Mom so you know it’s okay to come home with me." She did and everything was fine. Her Mom was just 10 minutes behind us.
Perhaps cell phones take away the need to have code words. However when no phone is available, having a family password would be a great idea.
"Your Mom says for you to come home with me. Your family secret code word is ‘hulahoophippo’."
If you don’t have a word, make sure you pick one that everyone will remember. For example, maybe there’s a personal family joke:
When my husband and I had our first date and there was lettuce on my forehead, "forehead lettuce."
Or your dog chases its tail, "Snoopy tail."
Or someone once threw up all over their pasta, "Chunky spaghetti."
You get the idea. Do you have a secret word for your family?
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