Sunday, June 24, 2007

They're OK, I Guess...

If you're reading this blog, and especially if you're a frequent reader of childfree sites, you might be wondering how I feel about children (aside from the obvious fact that I don't want my own.) The answer?

They're OK, I guess.

I don't love children, but I don't hate them either. A lot of childfree people seem to really actively dislike children, but that's never been one of my reasons for making this decision. I think kids are okay, even cute sometimes.

But I've never really related to them. I don't know what to do with them. When I hold someone else's baby, it usually starts crying. I don't really know how to play with a little kid either, or talk to one. I have definitely seen people who are naturally great at this. I am not one of them.

I think kids tend to feel pretty much the same way about me that I do about them. I do my best to be nice and polite to the ones I know, like the ones in my family, but I have no idea how to really cultivate a meaningful relationship with them. I'll never be that adult that the kid just adores, and that's just fine with me.

I do sometimes think kids are cute when I'm watching them from afar, especially babies. Honestly, I think it's because they remind me a little of animals. I love animals, and babies and very small children have some of the same qualities that I find cute about animals. They have this wide-eyed curious look and don't really know how to do anything. It's sort of endearing to watch. But put, say, an eight-year-old boy in front of me and sorry, I have no interest whatsoever.

Since having a kid means dealing very closely with all ages of children, I know it isn't for me.

2 comments:

CFT said...

Welcome to the CF blog world! :)

I agree that having a 'relationship' with kids seems odd. How can we? What do they know? What have they seen and lived?

My sister is about to pop out her first. Mum/Dad are thrilled. Me? I'm gonna be bad aunty because I DON'T CARE! It's gonna cry, poop, scream, wail and eat for the first 1-2-3 years. Blech.

My husband's sister has a 10 year old. Him, I like. Him, I can talk to. Him, I 'get'. He's fun.

We don't have to hate kids to be CF. We just choose NOT to have them in our homes.

Childfree Chick said...

Hi Kristin, it's great to know you!

I wrote a post like this the other day...we really seem to be on the same page and that is AWESOME! CF people are a real minority. Anyway....I'm putting you on my blogroll, keep speaking the truth sister! ;-)