6-7 years ago, I used to be MORTIFIED of being around little kids. I felt incapable of holding a baby (I always declined), and I had no idea how to tall to a toddler/little-kid. The only thing I could manage was making funny faces at babies on airplanes and making them laugh. That’s as far as I could go.
Then one of my best friends invited me over and I met his two kids and new baby. He asked me to hold the 6 month baby in my arms and I freaked. He patiently walked me through it. And then he suggested when talking to children that I bent to eye-level. Surprisingly, I’ve seen how getting to their level has dramatically improved my interactions with them (terrible for my knees though).
Oh, and I basically treat them like adults. It got me in hot water once as I explained the concept of death to someone’s kid (whoops), but it feels more natural. For instance, if my nephew does something rude, I explain to him how his actions made me feel and what I would like him to think about for next time. He is almost three. My brother rolls his eyes at me. But I think my nephew understands me.
6-7 years ago, I used to be MORTIFIED of being around little kids. I felt incapable of holding a baby (I always declined), and I had no idea how to tall to a toddler/little-kid. The only thing I could manage was making funny faces at babies on airplanes and making them laugh. That’s as far as I could go.
Then one of my best friends invited me over and I met his two kids and new baby. He asked me to hold the 6 month baby in my arms and I freaked. He patiently walked me through it. And then he suggested when talking to children that I bent to eye-level. Surprisingly, I’ve seen how getting to their level has dramatically improved my interactions with them (terrible for my knees though).
Oh, and I basically treat them like adults. It got me in hot water once as I explained the concept of death to someone’s kid (whoops), but it feels more natural. For instance, if my nephew does something rude, I explain to him how his actions made me feel and what I would like him to think about for next time. He is almost three. My brother rolls his eyes at me. But I think my nephew understands me.
Merry Christmas Charlie!
Hahaha thanks for this, Camilo. Love how your brother rolls his eyes at you.
My knees are also messed up. A trainer showed me how to go back into a far lunge to get down lol... it works!
I've done worse things than explain death to my kids... so I'm right there with you.
I feel like I’m better with kids than adults. Maybe because the stakes are lower? Would probably be better if it were the other way around.
I guess it's a skill to be good with kids and it's a skill to be good with adults, too.
Oh Charlie, another good one. That little pink sneakered baby was off her game... not you <3
Hahaha no way. She's never off her game.
Thank God I'm not the only one trying to win the best mothering award for all children globally.
I think you're gonna be the "cool mum" to all your kids friends. You'll treat them like adults and then you will step into your best maternal era!
Gah, thanks Elizabeth! Yes, I'll look forward to my best maternal era lol.