Everything you think when you babysit your nephew/niece for the first time
But let's get straight to the point: respect for all parents. These are no jokes. Last weekend, Sander and I had our nephew over. A completely new experience, with entirely new thoughts that come into play.
1. The day begins. Wout is being dropped off. Okay, but wait a minute. How many bags are there? Why so much stuff? Is one cuddle or toy not enough? Does this little one need ALL this stuff? How come???
2. Okay, what are we going to do today. We definitely have to do something fun. *Googles fun things to do for kids* ah, of course: petting zoo. Then: playground. Then: get ice cream. Sounds like a great day already.
3. Is this seriously what being a kid is about? Doing fun things all day? Right? God, I miss those days.
4. Oh shit, mistake number 1 of the day: misjudging distances. Walking to the petting zoo = medium good idea for a 3-year-old boy. Too far. Then just carry him on my back.
5. Mistake number 2: forgetting drinks. Fuck, he’s thirsty. And we didn’t bring a bag with stuff. Nervous we-are-not-really-parents giggle. Sorry Woutje, we’ll fix this for you.
6. Shit. Did we bring sunscreen? Not either? OH NO. FROM NOW ON, WALK IN THE SHADE.
7. You really relive your own childhood when you’re out with a child. Anything goes, anything can happen. Ice cream all day errrrday.
8. Including crafting and riding a mini bike at the petting zoo. Going down the slide? Sure, why not. Wheeeeeee.
9. It’s not even noon and I’m already exhausted. How do people do this?
10. I’ve already asked him six times if he really doesn’t need to pee today and he doesn’t. Is that normal? Does he have a bladder problem?
11. Should we call his parents to ask why he’s not peeing?
12. Oh shit, he sneezes and his whole nose is covered. Let’s see, um, tissue. Of course, we didn’t bring that either. Am I seriously doing this with my hand? Oh HELP, what am I doing, HAHAHA.
13. Why don’t I understand half of what he says? How am I supposed to know what he wants? Oh wait, the K becomes a T. So I’m Titi. The R becomes a J. So red becomes jew. No exactly. We’ll figure it out.
14. Long live kids' shows. No, but really, do you want to watch Bert & Ernie? Go ahead. #Rust
15. I think I just took a power nap on the couch including drool. HAHAHA. SERIOUSLY. HOW. THEN.
16. Oh dinner, wait, that has to be early, because there’s also a whole bedtime ritual. In the bath. Then reading a book. By around 7/8 PM he should be in bed. Well, then we’ll eat afterwards.
17. *Takes off clothes for bath: OMG, he’s wearing a diaper! So that’s why he didn’t need to pee. (feeling like a bad auntie part 237 today).
18. Actually, raising a child is just making small mistakes every day and learning from them.
19. The next day we’re going to be well prepared, armed with wet wipes and juice boxes in the bag. HA.
20. Just a little boat ride and eating pancakes (aka ‘pannetoet’) and then bringing the little guy back home.
21. By the way, I can’t remember the last time I was tired in ‘that way’. I’m exhausted. DEAD.
Conclusion after these 24 hours? Being an uncle/aunt is the bomb and parents are freaking soldiers. Raising a child is a serious day job. You’re literally ’on’ all day. The battle between feeling worn out versus satisfaction, I guess. Because it’s also really sweet when such a little face snuggles up to you and babbles ‘you are nice’, followed by a kiss. Anyhow: RESPECT for all moms and dads!
