Lil’ Kids

I just recently realized that I treat little kids differently than most people—I talk to them like adults, almost. I don't talk down to them, but rather, give them my full attention when they speak (unless I really can't understand what they're saying).

Take this Sunday. I was feeding an almost one-year-old (let's call him "T") a tangerine in slices. He doesn't really have enough teeth, but is so greedy for real food that when he sees food that he wants to eat, he starts crying until he gets it. He knows the good stuff from the bad. He wouldn't stop crying after we walked past the dessert table.

Me: "Here you go, "T". Eat slowly. Chew. Look at how much more you have to go!"

Timothy: *slurps the tangerine slice out of my hand*

Me: "T"! (really loudly)

"T": *stops chewing, looks at me with eyes open as big as he can get them. He's bemused that I'm talking to him. "I'm eating, and I'm a baby! No one ever looks at me when I'm eating! What's wrong with this sister? I'm eating!! People are happy when I eat! They talk to other grown-ups while I eat! They don't talk to me!"*

Me: (in a softer voice) You ate that too fast! You know, it took you three bites to get through that other slice. You can't slurp things up like that; you'll choke!

 

Or… I was skipping back to his older sister (five years old; "R") with a slice of chocolate pudding cake in my hands.

Me: *euphoric daze induced by chocolate* Want some?

"R": *looks at me like I'm crazy*

Me: It's so good *star-studded gaze*

"R": I don't like chocolate (she says it like she's berating me for even thinking about chocolate. I feel like a five year old being scolded by someone my age).

Me: …

 

Maybe it's just because they treat me like I'm their age. They're not that far off. It's really funny, though, when I have little kids guess my age. When I tell them how old I am (eighteen), their mouths gape open. And then they start calling me "Auntie" ;_;