Yesterday Mister and I attended a birthday party for our 2-year-old friend, Ben. It took place in a beautiful park on a warm, sunny day.
That last bit is a lie. For though it was indeed a beautiful park, it was also overcast and cold, friends. The skies looked threatening the entire time we were there, and the cold dragged my core temperature down to a place that left me shivering and wondering how many hours it would take to regain my body’s comfort setting. But I digress…
So there we were, in a lovely park, surrounded by friends and their kids. And at some point I realized I didn’t have it in me to go on the nature walk with the whole gang. It wasn’t that I was too weak or tired, it was simply that I don’t really know how to deal with little kids. I can handle one at a time, easy-peasy. But in a group? Not so much. And those little nuggets were in herd-mentality mode. If one wanted to run circles around trees, they all did. If one decided to climb a step-ladder at the edge of the picnic area, a queue ensued. If one enjoyed plopping down on his diaper-padded bum, they all plopped. And did I mention their seemingly endless energy? No? Well it’s freaking mesmerizing, y’all. There were a few times flies flew in my open mouth, as watching the kids was a jaw-dropping experience. The more they ran, the more they wanted to run. The more they chased bubbles, the more they wanted to chase bubbles. Honestly, I do not understand their energy, as my own body behaves in a completely opposite manner when it comes to activity. If I accidentally run, I absolutely do not wish to run more. If I chase bubbles, they’re usually in a fluted glass and after downing them I simply do not chase anything else.
Anyhoo – the kids were all happy as could be, in good moods, and they were darling. (Really!) And the birthday boy, Ben, was about the cutest thing ever. Watching him was precious. We happen to adore that kid, and being part of his life is a blessing. Observing him as he grows is a treat. And he’s a cool kid, so it’s also fun.
I get all that. I get that I’m privileged to know this child and that I will likely know him – always. What I don’t get is how his parents (and all parents, really) do it. How do they keep their energy reserves filled in order to parent the kids? How do they herd those cats and feed them and bathe them and read them stories and teach them and love them and not pass out mid-random-afternoon? I was just watching the little scamps run around for a couple of hours and I was exhausted.
Here’s what I know. I am not childless. I am child-free. And I thank God for that one, y’all. I’ll leave the child-rearing to the professionals, thank-you-very-much. So to all my friends with kids: kudos! Great job! Way to go!
Heaven knows – better you than me.