Babies

[kaycivine]

I love babies. I love kids. And I love SOMMMEEE teenagers

I have 10 nieces and nephews, (soon to be 11, one is marrying into the family through his mother marrying my brother)

I was very fond of my oldest nephew when I was a kid and he was a newborn (8-year difference between us, so I was more of a big sister than Aunt)


I want 4 kids. I used to want 8 but I got somewhat realistic.

The thing is, my mom always comments how I have no patience, and the men I dated in the past note I would be a stricter mother. Maybe they're right, but I am pretty sure I would still be an awesome mother!

[jedimaster91]

I like babies. Especially when they go to someone else when they get fussy or stinky. Although I will say I am terrified of newborns. They just seem so fragile I'm half afraid I'll break them. But I do love it when they learn to smile and you get those huge grins with no teeth. I don't mind well-behaved kids either. In fact, I've had some really interesting and insightful conversations with my friend's son who was 11ish at the time. I think some of my friends' kids enjoy having someone they can be nerdy with because a lot of their parents aren't nerdy at all.

What I can't stand, however, are the kids who don't behave and their parents don't make them behave. This one couple I know has 6 kids. When number 5 was a baby, all the kids were well-behaved and polite. Once #5 hit toddlerhood, something happened and that kid was (and still is) a holy terror. Running off, destruction of property, screaming tantrums when he doesn't get his way, hitting and biting, the works. But the parents either couldn't or wouldn't impose consequences for his behavior, and when the older kids saw that he was getting away with it, they started to act out as well. I love the parents dearly, but I didn't want to spend time with them when the kids were home because they acted so badly. A lot of my friends who have kids seem to have similar issues. I know you have to pick your battles with kids, but politeness and respect should be non-negotiable.

I don't have kids of my own yet (unless you count the four-legged kind), but I'm not opposed to having them. I'm also ok with not having them and becoming the crazy dog lady. If you ask me right after I teach my Sunday School class (8-9 year olds), I'm never having kids ever.

[indigo]

I don't dislike babies - I think I'm more apathetic towards them. I dislike their parents who think that female = I should adore babies being shoved at me. I raised my younger brothers and babysat for who knows how many of my mom's friends. I have no interest in babies or toddlers anymore. I freely admit that at this point in my life I enjoy being "selfish" with my free time and I have no intentions of having children for at least another 10 years, if ever. I have no problems being around babies as long as their parents are respectful of the fact that not everyone wants to hear the baby scream non-stop. Coos and gurgling I can tune out - screams are a hell no.

Now well-behaved children I'm ok with. They can be amazing to talk to and come up with the coolest ideas. But the key in that is the well-behaved part. I refuse to have anything to do with my 5 year old niece because her mother refused to be an actual parent. (I have actually told my sil to control her child or put a leash on it)

Baby animals are a whole different thing - that'll bring out my "Awww, lemme hold 'im" reaction.

[evilfarmer]

I love all babies. I have a niece who is turning 3 this year. I love the look of her exploring when she was younger. The best part to me is watching my husband go from ??? to actively seeking out my niece to play with.

I am very tactile in nature so how soft a puppy, kitty or human baby is phenomenal to me.

I do understand people who don't like babies, that just means there is more time for me to enjoy them.

[HYHYBT]

The best is when they just start to realize that they control their own limbs. The looks as they stare intently at their fists clenching and unclenching, it's like MIND. BLOWN.

You occasionally will find adults doing the same.

[SongsOfDragons]

A friend of mine is adamantly childfree, and I seem to be one of the few people who just simply accepts this with no problem whatsoever - poor L though, the insta-accept does take the wind out of her sails a bit as she's used to having to endlessly explain herself

Me...BABY! *coos nauseatingly* ^^ the last babies I met were two of my uni friends' littleuns. Their parents are all geeks so they've gor no chance. One of them kept nomming my finger - a toothless gummy mouth feels so weird. We're also going to meet another friend's at the weekend - we've got baby a little gift of a painted wooden twisty worm toy. Can't wait ^^

Oh and I also talk to kids as if they were adults. They really do react better to it. We were having a discussion on some news topic a while back when another friend's toddler came up to our table. I finished what I was saying and then asked her, "K, what do you think?" She was overjoyed and replied in babble. "Absolutely insightful," said I.

[blas87]

The only baby I really like is my niece, but I can only tolerate her screaming for so long before I have to walk away.

Her mother upsets me, she's raised her to be one of those babies that screams for no reason.

Most kids and toddlers, I don't like and won't tolerate until they are of school age or a little bigger.

But, I got a dose of my own medicine and I recently got turned down by a guy because I don't want kids. For fucks sake, we were going on a DATE, not discussing our future family.....but I suppose that's how single parents feel when I tell them "Oh no, not again..."

[anakhouri]

That's what I meant; no baby talk. I refuse to use idiotic baby talk. And when I talk to kids I assume that, like adults, they are intelligent human beings with varied interests. I make references. Sometimes I have to explain the references (I have explained griffins, banshees and Stonehenge to kids in the past) but I treat them like they're smart enough to understand. I don't condescend to them. I ask their opinions and listen to their answers. It's amazing to me the people who just disregard children's thoughts. Sometimes they're really insightful, and sometimes they're just really fracking funny.

I love watching them learn new things and see the looks on their faces as they master yet another skill.

The best is when they just start to realize that they control their own limbs. The looks as they stare intently at their fists clenching and unclenching, it's like MIND. BLOWN.

[siead_lietrathua]

i think by "talking to them like adults" it's more like not using ickle widdly baybie speek for the snookie boochums.
we talk normal to the niece as well. she's not really up on the language thing, but she seems to catch the drift of what we mean. although we can still be silly about it, there's no need to use baby talk.
(ie: she likes to do this loud screamy noise when we play tag games. if we tell her "no velociraptors in the house please!" she stops.... this kid's gonna be messed)

[cindybubbles]

I can understand not talking down to children, but you really can't talk to them like they're adults. I mean, they can't relate to any of my go-to small talk topics. They aren't interested in the TED talk I saw last week, or the traffic congestion on Main Street, or the great deals they're offering on new cars right now.

No, but you can talk about their favourite shows or places to go or people to see. It helps if you and the kid have shared interests, like Pokemon or cartoons.

[Boozy]

I can understand not talking down to children, but you really can't talk to them like they're adults. I mean, they can't relate to any of my go-to small talk topics. They aren't interested in the TED talk I saw last week, or the traffic congestion on Main Street, or the great deals they're offering on new cars right now.

[anakhouri]

I also don't know how to talk to children, so I just talk to them like they're grownups. They seem to like that. And my son as a result has an amazing vocabulary for his age.

[Boozy]

I don't understand people who don't like babies. I mean, sure -- I would prefer to not be seated next to one on an eight-hour flight, and I groan when I see a couple walk into a fancy restaurant with one, but the babies themselves are usually adorable and so entertaining to be around, under the right circumstances.

I've always seemed to be in the small percentage of people who say that they like babies and teenagers, but not children. I have trouble talking to kids between the ages of 2 and 12. They're...odd. I don't know how to relate to them. With babies, you just make some funny faces, and they think you're some kind of comedic genius. And teenagers are an absolute riot to talk to -- they haven't figured out how to put on convincing airs yet, so it's somewhat refreshing.

[Bloodsoul]

Pokémon babies > other babies

[Ree]

No secret here! LOL
I love babies.

I love watching them learn new things and see the looks on their faces as they master yet another skill.

I love the sound of a baby laughing.

A hug or kiss from a baby is genuine because they haven't yet learned about all that other crap in the world and don't know anything about being fake or insincere.

Yeah, the crying and dirty diapers are a huge turnoff, but I still love babies in spite of it.

I love animal babies too, but I prefer human.