This week, I volunteered to watch my nephew because I don’t already have enough going on. His mom has some appointments and I’m trying to be a good aunt. Also, I’m not usually known for being the “nice” one in the family, so when I have the opportunity to score some points, I try to do my best…..I need all the help I can get. We already have 2 kids, 10 dogs, a bearded dragon, a cockatiel and a gerbil in our home this week, so why not add one more.
Nephew is 6 and has carrot top red hair. When he was born, I teased that he would be the wild-child, the red headed demon baby, the one that would throw fits that would resemble the baptism of a cat, the one that would make my kids look like angels. Needless to say, I wasn’t entirely wrong and he’s lived up to the reputation that I predestined for him. Which is both hilarious for me, who lives for sarcasm and “I told you so”, and painfully awful for me when I agree to babysit….
None the less, I love him and his wild-child ways, so I agreed to keep him. I don’t keep him often, so we are still in what’s known as the “honeymoon” phase. You know, the first few days of a new babysitter where the kid is pretending to be good? They aren’t quite comfortable enough with you to throw the Tasmanian devil fits, even though you know they are capable. You spend the first few days holding your breath, waiting for them to crack; it’s inevitable, they will freak out soon…..you just don’t know when.
I spent the better part of my day tucked away in my office, working with the door shut so I could concentrate. Periodically I’d peak out on the kids if they got quiet, or open the door without telling them so I could listen to their conversation. Sometimes you need to get a sneak attack on them, these little sh*ts are smart, so if you really want to know what they are up too….just make sure they think you’re not paying attention.
For most of the day, the boys did well. I heard the occasional yell, squabble, and chaos filled nerf gun war but no major incidents until there was a loud thump from across the house. Not just a normal thump, but the kind that means someone was thrown off something, body slammed, jumped on, or otherwise maimed by another human. “BOYS!!!”, I yell loudly, hoping one of them will hear me over their own squeals and racket.
Bradley – “That wasn’t me!!! He jumped off the bed!!!”
Me – “Nephew!! Come here now please!”
Nephew – Comes running into my office with a sheepish grin on his face.
Me – “Did you jump off the bed?”
Nephew – “UGH…..I just can’t handle this. I can’t handle any of this!!”, he says with an exasperated sigh.
Me – Confused as to why the 6 year old is having some kind of breakdown. “You can’t handle what? Being at my house?”
Nephew – “I just can’t handle this,” he says, while cradling his little carrot top head in his hands. “I don’t know the rules here.”
Me – Trying not to giggle at his obvious anxiety. “Ok, I understand. So the rule here is, we don’t jump off the furniture. Think you can handle that?”
Nephew – “Yes….”, he sighs again as he rolls his eyes and walks out of the room.
Just remember, if you thought your day was hard, it could be worse. You could be a stubborn 6 year old trying hard to follow the rules at your aunt’s house. Life is hard for all of us friends, be kind to each other! You never know who is learning new rules today!
The Mommy Chronicles 