I Don’t Like Babies

Parenting

by Lamar Tyler | on July 16th, 2009 | 12 comments

babygirl

by Tara Pringle Jefferson

Everyone always talks about the “Terrible Twos” like they are only one step below being set on fire.

But I find that (yes, even on the bad days) I’m enjoying my daughter’s second year. Sure, she doesn’t listen, and she wants to stomp on my head if I lay on the floor (true story), and she refuses to do anything that she doesn’t feel like doing right at that moment. True, she has these tantrums that I call her “BFs” – baby fits. She’ll scream, talk real fast, wave her arms, basically everything but levitate off the ground and spew venom at me. And she would if she could.

Let me honest here. I don’t like babies. If I had to write a book based on my daughter’s first year, I would’ve titled it: “Babies are boring and other truths about motherhood that no one told me.”

Babies are not my favorite. Sure, I like my kids, but that’s because, um, they’re my kids. But most babies bore me to tears. The first few days I was home with my daughter, and same thing with my son, I just kind of held them like, “Ok, what now?”

I rejoiced when my daughter turned one. Do you hear me? I rejoiced. I wanted to shout from the hilltops, “We made it! We survived! She’s still alive!!!”

If I had the money, I would’ve sprung for an all-out “Ball ’til you fall” celebration. I’m talking camels and monkeys and elephants and more cake than at a Duncan Hines factory. I was just that happy.

True, kids grow up too fast. But if you sulk about the fact that your little one no longer wears size one diapers and such, then you miss the fact that they are becoming kids. Actual kids with personality, charm, excitement, independence, potential. And how cool is that?

Tell me, readers: Love the baby stage or hate it? Discuss in the comments.

Tara Pringle Jefferson is a freelance writer living in Ohio with her husband and two children. Visit her blog, www.theyoungmommylife.com, to read more of her observations about life, motherhood and love.

About the author

Lamar and Ronnie Tyler are the creators of the award-winning blog BlackandMarriedWithKids.com . They also are behind the Amazon.com bestselling DVDs Happily Ever After: A Positive Image of Black Marriage, You Saved Me and Men Ain’t Boys that explores manhood in the African American community. The Tylers are also the proud parents of four children.

http://harriet-canshesaythat.blogspot.com Harriet

I loved the baby stage…I loved the terrible two stage…I love his curiosity and personality as a three year old…you can keep the potty training, though. That crap is for the birds. LOL

Seriously, though, I think we get caught up in what we love or hate and fail to realize that each of these stages and phases are TEMPORARY. I hang my hat on the fact that eventually, my son will put his mounds of fecal matter in the toilet one day, and that he won’t be a 15 year old having to wear Depends. All this is temporary.

But I’ll miss the fact that my chest is considered his pillow, and that kisses from me are like candy to him! He can’t get enough. I don’t know what the future holds for those two sentiments, so I’m getting it in where I can fit it in. )

Harriets last blog post..Look Up!
http://blackgirlgonegreen.blogspot.com Georgia Peche

I guess I get what you are saying because I am expecting my second anyday now and it is so hard the first few months. You’re leaking everywhere and emotional hormonal, and the baby is so needy and you don’t get any sleep. They are adorable and cute, but they just lay there and that doesn’t help when you feel postpartum and can’t control your depressing feelings. They just seem so helpless and it’s your child, so you worry if you can do everything well to take care of them. Now my son is 3 and doesn’t listen sometimes (my best method is counting to three). Although his daddy can just whisper and my son behaves I still love it that he is running around and singing and dancing and spelling and just being fun. Sometimes I hold him in my arms and miss those first few days he was born because now he runs when I want a kiss and a hug. I think it’s all a great experience, but when they start being more mobile (starting with sitting up)it’s just more exciting.

Georgia Peches last blog post..Organic store
http://theyoungmommylife.com Tara

I guess my point isn’t that I don’t like babies – it’s just that baby stage isn’t the end all/be all to me. To me, motherhood just gets better. I refuse to be one of those people who always want to have another kid as soon as they get one out of diapers. Enjoy your diaper-free child! It’s a blessing! LOL.

@Harriet – Isn’t potty training a mess? Thankfully, my daughter is doing much better. Should be in her big girl underwear soon! No accidents for over a week!

Taras last blog post..Finding a family-friendly workplace
http://harriet-canshesaythat.blogspot.com Harriet

@ Tara,

I wonder if it will be that simple for your son? I feel like I’m trying to teach my son the friggin’ pythagorean theorem or something (but somehow in my mind, I think he would get THAT easier than he would get potty training). LOL

Congrats on big girl underwear! Yay for the diva!!

Harriets last blog post..Aftermath
http://theyoungmommylife.com Tara

@Harriet – I’m not even thinking about the boy. LOL. Just let me enjoy the excitement from getting one kid out of diapers. My son is going to be something else. I will REALLY need your prayers then. LOL.

Have you tried the Cheerios trick? All the moms of boys I know said it helped because in trying to get them to “aim” at the Cheerios, peeing became like a game to them, so they were less apt to ignore the signs that they had to go. I dunno…just sharing what little knowledge I have! LOL.

Taras last blog post..Finding a family-friendly workplace
http://harriet-canshesaythat.blogspot.com Harriet

Girl, the peeing ain’t the problem! LOL

Some days I feel like I’m with the crazy boy from Lord of the Flies! One time–when he gets older, I’m sure he’s not going to appreciate me saying this–I caught him digging in his pull up and trying to draw pics on the doggone wall with what came out.

*vomiting in my mouth at the very thought of that traumatic experience*

I had to go off in tongues to keep from cussin, girl. I need Jesus…for real.

Harriets last blog post..Aftermath
http://theyoungmommylife.com Tara

@Harriet –
“I caught him digging in his pull up and trying to draw pics on the doggone wall with what came out.”

*jaw hits desk*

I’m not ready, Harriet…I’m not ready…My goodness. Why didn’t anyone tell us kids are crazy? LOL.

Taras last blog post..Finding a family-friendly workplace
http://harriet-canshesaythat.blogspot.com Harriet

the thing is…this is totally normal behavior in their mind! he looked at me like, “dear mother…why dost thou protest? whenst thou deliveredst me, thou knewest i would be as insane as thou wert whenst thou wast a child!”

LOL

Harriets last blog post..Aftermath
Anna

Funny comments. Kids do the darndest things. Temper tantrums I would ingnore, in a store, resturant or where ever. I would give them their 2-3 minutes crying, thrasing their body around on a public floor and look at them and say “Are You Done”. Kids can easily take over a home if you let them. I read stories from parents who are afraid of their 8 yr old kids. It never happened here because I did not let the kid(s) think they were embarrassing me in public. They were the ones who looked stupid. I am not the one to buy my kids what they want to shut them up(because we are in public). I also know that when I go to a store and see kids doing all the things my kids did that I paid my dues and don’t want anymore(kids). Crying kids can be annoying and I apologize to all the ppl who had to endure me rearing my kids. LOL. Honestly I can say that I would get praises for the way my kids behaved in public. (resturants, stores). I allowed my kids to act a fool at home. They were allowed to be themselves at home. Kids still know right and wrong in public. (At least my kids do).
crikcrik

so my boy was like 6 weeks form being 4 when he got on the pottie and I did everything and I say everything but bet him and then one day he looks at me and says mum I got to poop and that was it he has been going and doing good at it at the time I think I was wonting him to do it more than he did and if you just let them have there time they will do it and it is all good thank God but Boys are the ones that dont wont to pottie and I have to say I dont like the baby stag I like when the are up and talking doing get me rong I love my new baby and am thinking about haveing one more but if I can just get a 3 year old it be grat
Lee

I totally thought I was crazy because I HATE babies! I have one daughter and my husband really wants another, but the very thought of having to have another “baby” digusts, yes digusts me! lol I’m sure your senitments are not as bad as mine, but I’m glad to know I’m normal! lol
MRS. R.A.W.

I LIKE BABIES BUT I DON’T LIKE THE WORK INVOLVED BECAUSE THE WHOLE COLIC, TEETHING, UP ALL NIGHT WANTING TO PLAY SUX..I MISS SLEEPING IN SEX AND DATE NIGHTS …SO NO I DON’T SEE ANOTHER ON MY LIST I HAVE 2 KIDS THAT ARE 10 YEARS APART AND GET DISGUSTED EVERYTIME MY HUSBAND MENTIONS ANOTHER

I Don’t Like Babies

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