We have more than one friend who isn't fond of children. Pictured at right is Zac, who blew through town last week and visited Ernie for the second time in his short life. The first time he excused himself from holding Ernie on account of his being so new and bendy. This time, he was very clear that he would poke our child once, which elicited smiles from Ern, but Zac was not to be won over. He then asked when he would be eating or sleeping next. I think he can relate to babies while engaged in those types of activities, rather than just sitting there acting like they're part of the conversation.
I'm never offended by our friends who don't want much to do with our progeny. If anything, it gives me another excuse to torment them. But I also don't quite understand it. I remember when I used to watch Star Trek: The Next Generation and Capt. Picard didn't like kids. This was the one quality about the Cap'n that I didn't like. Being a kid myself, I was bothered that he thought there was something about me that should be offensive. I mean, he was a kid once, so why so squeamish? Then I decided that he viewed children as a strange alien race and feared what powers they might posses over him. I wonder if Zac feels the same way.
2 comments:
I like making them uncomfortable, too. It's kind of like poking Zac the same way he pokes Ernie and Terence's expressions are all kinds of comical--it's just good fun.
I've never had a problem with kids, either--especially kids too young to talk--but I can understand where the discomfort would stem from. When they're too young to talk, you never know how much they understand, which is unsettling; and once they can talk, they're crazy as hell and don't make any sense. At least that's where I assume the discomfort comes from.
I like kids, but I can also understand why others wouldn't. But they're just so darn cute.
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