The first two breakfasts were clunky.
But bringing together AI and Dr. Becky Kennedy saved the Saturday morning ritual with my six-year-old daughter.
My daughter cried at the end of Hockey Canada‘s First Shift. She did not want it to be her last time playing hockey.
My partner, Emily Dugas, played university ball. I was sure I would be showing up in warm gyms at reasonable hours. When my daughter pushed to play hockey, Emily smiled at me and said “enjoy the rink.” Now I’m up at 0dark30 on the weekends sitting in cold arenas.
Her coaches are incredible and she smiles non-stop on the ice. That makes me smile.
After her first session, she said “Daddy can we go out for breakfast – It could be our tradition.” I smiled. She wants the time. I want the time.
But our first two breakfasts were clunky.
I asked the typical adult questions – How’s school? What is your favourite subject? What are you curious about?
It was creating frustration for her. The silence was difficult for me.
I’m used to facilitating fast-moving leadership teams. Dialogue is my profession. And I was getting nowhere.
I turned to AI
Here was the Prompt: “I get this wonderful opportunity to spend time with my daughter after every hockey game. We go for brunch, it’s great, but I’m really trying to figure out how to create a more rich environment for her to connect with me.”
At first it gave me suggestions around the game. I know enough not to go there. The #2 reason for kids leaving the game is because of how parents talk to their kids about the game.
So I told ChatGPT that I did not want it about the game. The answer was long and thoughtful and gave me some ideas on how to curate the environment – especially focused on patience..
My Next Prompt: Can you give me a list of questions? Can you tie it to Dr. Becky’s literature? (If you’re a parent and haven’t read her book – make it your next read).
Under 6 Headings (Emotional Connection, Curiosity and Exploration, Deepen Self-Awareness, Strengthen Your Bond, Playful and Fun, and the Bigger Picture), ChatGPT gave me an amazing place to start.
The morning was incredible. Ellington loved the Playful and Fun Questions:
“If you could be invisible for a day, what would you do?”
“If you had a superpower, what would it be and how would you use it?”
“If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?”
“If you could have any animal as a pet (even a dinosaur!), what would you choose?”
I snuck in a few deeper questions. And when we ran out, I took out my phone and asked for a list of 20 more playful questions.
We laughed. We smiled. She asked for more questions.
AI Adoption has plateaued in the last 3 months. No one really knows how to integrate it properly. I end every one of my AI talks with a simple message. Start using it to help you at home. Meal planning (with grocery lists), fitness routines, and for me deeper connection with my daughter.
