Wait -- it's his father's job to neglect him? 
Sounds legit. Teaching your two year old how to microwave a burrito probably counts as "Practicing learning numbers." I'm pretty sure it does.
Joke
noun
1.something said or done to provoke laughter or cause amusement, as a witticism, a short and amusing anecdote, or a prankish act:
He tells very funny jokes. She played a joke on him.
2.something that is amusing or ridiculous, especially because of being ludicrously inadequate or a sham; a thing, situation, or person laughed at rather than taken seriously; farce:
Their pretense of generosity is a joke. An officer with no ability to command is a joke.