"Texting with teens is a minefield. A heartfelt "I love you" might earn nothing more than a flat "K," while other times they lob a question so bewildering it makes you momentarily fear for the future of America. On TikTok, Maine dad Chip Leighton offers a front-row seat. The father of Matthew, 21, and Laura, 17, shares the confounding, hilarious and often head-scratching messages that he and his followers receive from their offspring."
"The series has become one of his most popular on TikTok, and Leighton, 54, suspects much of its appeal comes from parents realizing their children aren't the only ones sending one-word responses. "There's this sense of solidarity, like, oh, we're all in this," he tells TODAY.com. Fans love reading the messages, and for Leighton, the humor literally writes itself. "Teenagers are just funny without even trying," Leighton notes."
"How did you know it was someone's birthday before social media? Can I bring my coffee into a funeral? I'm having friends over at 2. Can you and dad be out of the house. Dad specifically. Lock the car. My cinnamon bun is in there. I have 2 games next week. Both in the same place called TBD. Will bourbon chicken get me drunk? Yeah this school is a no. They only serve Pepsi products."
Chip Leighton, a Maine father of Matthew, 21, and Laura, 17, shares confounding and hilarious text messages from his children on TikTok. The series features real conversation snippets that often read like comedy and highlight one-word replies and surreal teenage questions. The posts have become highly popular as parents recognize shared experiences and feel a sense of solidarity. Leighton has posted snippets for four years, compiling many memorable examples such as questions about funerals, school policies, shifts, and college expenses. Leighton plans to release a book titled "Dad Can You Not?" in April 2026 offering a humorous guide to texting, social media, and navigating life.
Read at TODAY.com
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