Wednesday, January 09, 2008

a confession

OK, I'll admit it: I'm afraid of toddlers. I have no idea how to relate to children who are barely out of diapers, tend to have snotty noses, and are prone to temper tantrums. They're too old for baby talk yet too young for rational explanations. I feel cold and awkward when I try to engage them.

There is a toddler coming to my house this weekend. Thank god his mother is a very laid-back old friend of mine. She thought my suggestion of tethering him to a tree out back should he become unruly was right on track.

7 comments:

Mary Beth said...

You'll make a friend if you just get on the floor and play and act silly. But the tethering to a tree is also a good option. We tell Joshua he's going to have to go live with the chickens.

Kat E said...

I think your chicken threat is a good one--much less frightening than the "we're going to sell you to the gypsies" that I used to get from my parents...

Kel Bel said...

It's kind of like talking to a really egotistical date...just nod and smile appropriately every once in awhile at their stream-of-consciousness gibberish, punctuated with a "Wow! Really??" on your part every now and then, and they will think you're the coolest.

At least that works for me - with toddlers and men.

Mary Beth said...

Kel, you've obviously done this before.

Kel Bel said...

yes, on both counts...I much prefer the toddlers to the egotistical dates, especially toddlers with the last name Bernheisel :)

Jennifer said...

I actually love toddlers except for the snotty noses and temper tantrums. They are finally able to talk to you and they really can be so darn cute. But they start screaming and their noses start running, that's when I hand them back to their mamas. LOL.

Kat E said...

For what it's worth, the toddler visit went very well. I think I may have been cured of my phobia. He was very entertaining and there was no snot to be had...