Wow! Thanks for such an a thoughtful response!
I’ve said the phrase, “Sorry I can’t, I’ve got to watch my kids tonight,” lots of times. It comes across as I’m the babysitter, and that’s not at all what I mean. But it’s kinda crazy how it feels like those words are what just naturally come out.
The last year I’ve been more intentional about saying, “I’m with my kids tonight,” or “I get to hang with my kids tonight” or something to that effect.
Being an involved dad I want to use language that shows that I am. :-)