Adventures in Babysitting
I can count the amount of times, on one hand, I've babysat in my life. I've always been the youngest child - the one needing to be watched. But I'm getting to the age where I might need a little practice taking care of kids - so when my sister-in-law was looking for a babysitter for her kids (2 boys, ages 5 and 6; 1 girl, age 11) I was up for the challenge.
I learned that my chalkboard wall is a lot more novel than an xBox. I learned that peanut butter with peanuts in it is just gross. And when the youngest needed help wiping his butt some sort of instinct kicked in and I knew what had to be done - without being scared or grossed out.
I don't think I'm ready for this gig full-time quite yet but I had fun with those kids. Even when it meant getting my hands a little dirty.
Very sweet.
Last weekend my niece (who's unsuccessfully potty-training) shat on the dock. I scooped it up with my bare hand and threw it way out into the lake. Without a second-thought.
Just be happy you didn't hear "Aunt Kathleen! My peepee just tried to pee in my face!".
love what they did with the wall! i got a part-time job at 12 (had to apply for a special workers permit) just so i could avoid babysitting!
Speaking of kidlets, I stumbled across this blog today, whose opening pic could be your doppelganger. How far away is Nashville, exactly?
http://loridanelle.blogspot.com/
my daughter is potty training right now.. and I find the butt wiping to be more disturbing than it is while changing a diaper. Kudos to you!
yeah. i think your chalkboard wall is pretty much bliss to an eleven year old. or a thirty one year old. either, or.
kelly
Jamie - Hahaha! We definitely had a similar situation - I'll tell you in real life.
I like how Boots is looking on in amazement! :)
I need to get practice as well since I wouldn't have the slightest idea on what to do. My favorite game is "Let go find your mother!"
Boots is completely mesmerized by the hieroglyphics.
1) Never babysat. Never wanted to. Ok, I did once, but I've tried to get it out of my mind. *Shudder*
2) You don't need experience around other kids to be a great parent.
3) You can have your own kids and still not really want to babysit others' kids or love them the same way or be willing to wipe their bottoms or anything.
4) It's way more stressful to enjoy others' kids than it is to enjoy your own.
5) I speak from my own experience, not that of others.
You are so the cool aunt. I can tell.
My kid is also 6. He yelled down the hallway, just last night, "Dad did I get it all." Unfortunately, that's code word for let me spread my butt cheeks and you take a look for hangers-on.
He had a huge wad of toilet paper hanging from his crack. Laughing, he said, "I love playing this joke on people."
I wonder who all he's played this "joke" on. Oh, lordy.
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