Friday, March 10, 2006

Parents of the world, I bow to you

Today I got up early (for me) and drove up to Hanover to babysit my 6-year-old nephew who was staying home from school due to a strep throat relapse. Both mom & dad had to work today and I was happy to step in, since I never get quality one-on-one time with my little buddy. Thanks to modern antibiotics and the resilience of kids, he was his normal self and we spent the day playing games, (Cootie, Candyland), putting a puzzle together, and watching a couple of DVD's, (Herbie Fully Loaded; 101 Dalmations II), while I knitted.



I have twelve nieces and nephews (and one step-niece), but I have a special place in my heart for this little buddy. And he was perfectly behaved, fun to be with, a good conversationalist, I was thrilled to get some time with him, I had a blast, I love him like my own, I'll watch him again in a heartbeat, and yet I was STILL exhausted after spending six hours with him. What is it about kids, even the very best of them like my little buddy, that suck the energy out of you? I continue to gain respect for parents of small children, especially during those times when they're not perfectly behaved, which thankfully, as an aunt, I rarely have to witness. Parenting is a thankless, 24/7 job that I don't know if I could ever do, and I take my hat off to all of you.

2 comments:

DustBunniesCanWait said...

Children are little energy vampires, its what they do :-) I noticed that when taking my own kiddos to the park. Look around, as all of the children get more and more wound up, the adults look more and more exhausted!

Gingersnaps with Tea... said...

The thing about kids is it's totally worth it. I have one 12-year-old son and I'm raising him on my own. Is he exhausting? Hell yes!! Would I have it any different? No Way!! The older he gets, the more interesting he gets and even though we have our moments… he tells me every day how much he loves me. By the way… Knitting is what keeps me sane, it has to be one of the most relaxing pastimes around!