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We celebrated my mom's birthday today (its really tomorrow). Lunch with the fam is always a barrel of laughs.
My younger niece, B, is a complete chatterbox who does not know when to be quiet or quit asking the same questions (she is incredibly single-mindedly persistant). She is the one who, at five asked if I had pet and then told me I could get a baby (like I could pick one up at the corner store).
She is turning eight next month and today's conversation went a little like this:
Aunt A? Do you have any children?
No, B, You would know them if I did. They'd be cousins like K (their cousin on their mom's side)
Oh. That's too bad.
Well. I don't think its too bad. I wouldn't be able to spend my time with you if I had kids of my own.
Aunt A? Are you married?
(at this point I'm a little wtf?)
No, B, you would know if I was married, you would know him. He'd be your Uncle.
Oh. That's too bad. (this was said slightly less sincerely)
Well. I don't think its too bad, I'm pretty happy as I am.
Aunt A? Do you have any pets?
No, B. I live by myself.
Oh. Don't you get lonely?
No B. I really really don't.
And then I proceeded to tell her we've had the same conversation several times over the past several years. And I was hoping that we'd not have to have it again. She made no promises.
Ugh. I really don't like being grilled by my ALMOST EIGHT YEAR OLD niece on my marital and family planning status. I mean, I can take it from my grandfathers - each of them asked in his own way before he died if I was going to get married (ever), and as one died when I was in my mid twenties and one died when I was in my mid thirties, I didn't really have a good answer for either other than, "maybe if I find the right person." I'm okay with defending my life choices to my grandparents (all of whom are now gone because I am Just That Old), but not to my niece.
Yes, I could have a baby, or a spouse, or a PET even if I chose to do so. I could adopt or get artificially inseminated or any number of things. But I am not ITCHING to bring a child into the world or rear one myself. I really am OKAY with that.
My S-I-L told me that even now, all B wants is to be a mother herself. She has always been all about the baby dolls. I sure hope this dream doesn't come true TOO quickly. Maybe not before she is twenty-eight or so? Because this one has A LOT of maturing to do!
My younger niece, B, is a complete chatterbox who does not know when to be quiet or quit asking the same questions (she is incredibly single-mindedly persistant). She is the one who, at five asked if I had pet and then told me I could get a baby (like I could pick one up at the corner store).
She is turning eight next month and today's conversation went a little like this:
Aunt A? Do you have any children?
No, B, You would know them if I did. They'd be cousins like K (their cousin on their mom's side)
Oh. That's too bad.
Well. I don't think its too bad. I wouldn't be able to spend my time with you if I had kids of my own.
Aunt A? Are you married?
(at this point I'm a little wtf?)
No, B, you would know if I was married, you would know him. He'd be your Uncle.
Oh. That's too bad. (this was said slightly less sincerely)
Well. I don't think its too bad, I'm pretty happy as I am.
Aunt A? Do you have any pets?
No, B. I live by myself.
Oh. Don't you get lonely?
No B. I really really don't.
And then I proceeded to tell her we've had the same conversation several times over the past several years. And I was hoping that we'd not have to have it again. She made no promises.
Ugh. I really don't like being grilled by my ALMOST EIGHT YEAR OLD niece on my marital and family planning status. I mean, I can take it from my grandfathers - each of them asked in his own way before he died if I was going to get married (ever), and as one died when I was in my mid twenties and one died when I was in my mid thirties, I didn't really have a good answer for either other than, "maybe if I find the right person." I'm okay with defending my life choices to my grandparents (all of whom are now gone because I am Just That Old), but not to my niece.
Yes, I could have a baby, or a spouse, or a PET even if I chose to do so. I could adopt or get artificially inseminated or any number of things. But I am not ITCHING to bring a child into the world or rear one myself. I really am OKAY with that.
My S-I-L told me that even now, all B wants is to be a mother herself. She has always been all about the baby dolls. I sure hope this dream doesn't come true TOO quickly. Maybe not before she is twenty-eight or so? Because this one has A LOT of maturing to do!
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