Freaking brilliant! I actually said something quite like this to my 20 year old sister last time she was in town with her friends.

This is why I love yo, Alex. :D

 

Dude, so true. My sister, who has a 10 year old and tried for a number of years to have a second, has declared herself to be completely free of the child-itch after having my kids in her house for three days.

 

I agree, that should work wonderfully.

 

that's a fabulous idea!

 

I am willing to contribute a 3.5 year old and 2.5 year old in case playdates at or around the Field Museum are needed. I must add, that perhaps a bonus package including the opportunity to take the children to Old Orchard or Northbrook Court Malls at 3 pm on a Saturday during the Pre-christmas sale season should be offered as well. No earplugs will be provided.

 

Ted and Laura,
That's a great idea! I wouldn't even take my kids to Old Orchard today. They stayed with grandma.

 

Ha! so true. I overhear teens at the park talking about when their going to have babies and while my first thought is "what the hay?", my second thought is "here, hang out with this monkey for awhile and see if you still want to be a "baby momma".

 

Apparently you feel that time spent with your children, who are healthy and don't always do what you want, would dissuade any girl from having children. If you had had such an opportunity five years ago, would you have made a different choice?

 

and this way, instead of paying teens to babysit, YOU would get paid. Maybe we could get a government grant for this program?

 

Dear Anonymous:

The difference between Alex and a teen girl is that she is an adult with a lot of resources to help her cope with these difficult moments. A teen girl is generally far less likely to have the support of a husband or parents who are not currently raising their own kids.

Clearly, you knew that this comment was inflammatory, so you bravely chose to make it under the cloak of anonymity. How clever of you. Since I am not afraid of saying "controversial" things and backing up my words with my good name, I'll say this: Yes, spending time with kids actually did teach me that I am not appropriate parent material. It is an exhausting, demanding job that I am not up to doing 150% of my time. I am not ashamed of this. I like spending time with Alex's (and other kids) and then going home to peace and quiet. What I suspect that teenagers can learn from Alex's service is that there is no break when you are a parent. Perhaps that will encourage them to wait until they are older and hopefully, more ready (although I am not sure anyone is ever fully ready) to take on such an important (and rewarding) task.

Best wishes,
Suzanne Reisman

 

Also, Anonymous, I suggest that you develop a sense of humor.

 

Oh, that's funny! My oldest son who is in high school was telling me about a class they offer where you carry a doll baby (it has special sensors in it)around with you for a week; at home, at school, at work, after school activities, etc. It cries when it's hungry, wet, tired at all times of the day and night 24/7. Most of the kids are excited at the beginning and think it's going to be a piece 'o cake, but by the end of the week aren't quite so thrilled to be a "parent". I think it's a great idea! Sometimes I think kids feel about babies the way they feel about puppies or kittens, you know? Tiny, cute and snuggly, but wait,..they require work and attention?? Ack!

Have a great weekend!

Lizzy

 

I offer my 22 month old in the car on the way HOME from the Field Museum where he will only insist on listening to "Alouette" on repeat.

 

Dear Suzanne
You chose to interpret my question as inflammatory, that is your problem.Perhaps you are overly defensive. Anonymous is no different then cable girl or painted maypole or any pen name chosen.

 

That's true. I was in a horrific mood when I saw it, and I probably should not have said anything. If you didn't mean it in the way I interpreted it, then I owe you an apology.

 

Anonymous, I feel very bad this. I was in a bad mood due to a hostile comment on someone's blog, and I know that Alex has had some anonymous people hassle her in the past, so immediately I assumed that was going on. Again, if that is not what you meant, I apologize and I hope my explanation makes sense.

 

Just to clarify, this post is meant to be humorous, and, unless I have a lot of readers who are seriously looking to have strangers spend unsupervised time with their kids, I think that the majority of commenters understood that. I think humor is an important part of parenting, and I really enjoy that part (and many other parts).

 

Yup, it's humorous, but it would also be true. ;-) You can't "get it" until you've been there.