...or babies. I especially did not like children between the ages 4 and 9. I even hated being a kid! I wanted to grow up as soon as possible. That was a while back. Now that I have 2 kids of my own, I love babies and I can definitely manage older kids.
When I was about 7 or 8, a lot of people used to visit our home. With little kids in tow. The kids were always handed over to me (because I was a girl and that means that I automatically loved kids); while the mothers chatted happily with my mom. Those kids would routinely stick bubblegum in my hair, tear out pages from my beloved books, and break my belongings. They screamed and ran all around the house. They demanded to be fed and entertained since they were under my charge. They were little ROGUES. I hated them.
Once, at school, we were asked to manage junior classes, as a part of our curriculum. I was around ten then. We were asked to mind a class of six-year olds. Unfortunately, my partner was as bad with kids, as I was. We ended up with 50 hysterical children. It's a good thing that I did not know any swear words back then. Finally, when the hour of torture was over, I presumed that everyone would have fared as we did. Apparently not. One of my friends said that her class behaved perfectly. She told the kids stories to keep them entertained. What an idea! Why didn't I think of it?
As for the babies - I used to think that God made all animal babies cute, except for human species. I used to drool over little puppies and kittens. Little babies? Nah! Never cared. They cried almost as soon as I held them. It was weird to see elders talk to them in that weird squeaky voice.
Once my aunt came to our house and told me that she got me a doll. I was super-excited. Instead, I was handed over my newly-minted cousin. I was supremely disappointed and tried hard to be civil to my aunt.
So, it came as an absolute surprise to see others cooing over my children. Especially the ones who have never had kids. What? They like my babies? But why? Or rather HOW?
Now that I have enough experience with my kids, my nephews, nieces, my friend's kids, I love them. I no longer think that only puppies are cute. Little babies are even cuter!
However, I do feel sometimes, whetherI could have loved my kids even more than I love them now. Am I missing something?
When I was about 7 or 8, a lot of people used to visit our home. With little kids in tow. The kids were always handed over to me (because I was a girl and that means that I automatically loved kids); while the mothers chatted happily with my mom. Those kids would routinely stick bubblegum in my hair, tear out pages from my beloved books, and break my belongings. They screamed and ran all around the house. They demanded to be fed and entertained since they were under my charge. They were little ROGUES. I hated them.
Once, at school, we were asked to manage junior classes, as a part of our curriculum. I was around ten then. We were asked to mind a class of six-year olds. Unfortunately, my partner was as bad with kids, as I was. We ended up with 50 hysterical children. It's a good thing that I did not know any swear words back then. Finally, when the hour of torture was over, I presumed that everyone would have fared as we did. Apparently not. One of my friends said that her class behaved perfectly. She told the kids stories to keep them entertained. What an idea! Why didn't I think of it?
As for the babies - I used to think that God made all animal babies cute, except for human species. I used to drool over little puppies and kittens. Little babies? Nah! Never cared. They cried almost as soon as I held them. It was weird to see elders talk to them in that weird squeaky voice.
Once my aunt came to our house and told me that she got me a doll. I was super-excited. Instead, I was handed over my newly-minted cousin. I was supremely disappointed and tried hard to be civil to my aunt.
So, it came as an absolute surprise to see others cooing over my children. Especially the ones who have never had kids. What? They like my babies? But why? Or rather HOW?
Now that I have enough experience with my kids, my nephews, nieces, my friend's kids, I love them. I no longer think that only puppies are cute. Little babies are even cuter!
However, I do feel sometimes, whetherI could have loved my kids even more than I love them now. Am I missing something?
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