Thoughts spawned by reading
these posts over at
Scrivener's (which referenced posts at
Anastasia's and
Twisty's place--and yes, I've read all the comments):
When I was younger, I didn't like children. Yes, even when I was a child myself. On the whole, I thought kids from birth through the teenage years were loud, annoying, discourteous and mean. Unlike other children my age (girls, for the most part), I avoided babysitting like the plague. I didn't care if it meant dollars in my pocket. I would find an excuse to be unavailable. As a child, I much prefered hanging out with adults. Of course, I knew a fair number of children who were not loud, annoying, discourteous or mean. These children were my friends … or were children I was able to ignore. On average, though, the adults that filled my world -- my parents, their close friends, my family members and my teachers -- were all amazing, wonderful, intelligent, caring, vivacious people. Oh, to live in a world where I could be surrounded by THESE people instead of those irritating children.
Flash forward about 20 years.
My world is now composed mostly of adults. These adults are rude. They act as if they are completely unaware of their surroundings, completely unaware of whom they might be affecting by their actions. They drive dangerously. They drive discourteously. They cut in line. They curse loudly (as do I). They toss cigarette butts out the window. They vote for Religious Right conservatives. They don’t wash their hands after they use the bathroom. They drive while intoxicated. They are cruel to animals. They are cruel to children. They can be horrid, horrid people.
I realize now that my perceptions were completely skewed by my environs. When I was a child, I was mostly surrounded by children (i.e., young human beings). Being surrounded by many young human beings, the odds were higher that the individuals who annoyed me would be children. In contrast, the adults who were a part of my life and whom I adored were not at all representative of the greater adult world. I just didn't know that at the time.
Now, I am surrounded by adults (i.e., older human beings). They provoke as much annoyance in me now as certain children did when I was younger. Being surrounded by many older human beings, the odds are higher that the individuals who annoy me are adults.
It took me many years, but I have finally had my realization, my light bulb going off. I do not dislike children. Please forgive me my prior child-hating ways.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Bonus child conversation:
APL: [AB], I'm tired of you making these random nonsense sounds. If you're going to make nonsense sounds, at least let's play a game. You repeat what I say.
AB: OK!
APL: Ay, eee, eye, oh, you.
AB: Ay, eee, eye, oh, you.
APL: Good! Here's one you know. Eee-eye-eee-eye-oh.
AB: Eee-eye-eee-eye-oh.
NSAH: (sticking his head through the door) Baba Booey!
AB: Baba Booey! Baba Booey!
