Can I Come Help?

The night before school started we had an open house where students and parents could come meet the teachers and see the classrooms. One of my students, Joel, came in with his dad. They walked around the classroom, Joel found his desk and his cubby, and then his dad came up to meet me. He asked if there were times throughout the year that he could come help in the classroom. I told him that there definately were and directed him to the parent volunteer sign-up sheet. He signed up and then turned to Joel and had the following conversation:

Dad: Can I come help you in your classroom, Joel? Would you like that? I could come sometimes in the mornings before I go to work and help.

Joel's response after thinking about it for a second: Ummmm, actually no. I can do first grade all by myself. I don't think I'll need your help!