Some People's Parents

I'm pretty ill right now.

When Gideon isn't beating me on the head or snatching my pillow out of frustration of my being totally no fun (a beating I so richly deserve), he's bringing me tissues and his binky. He's a good 30 second nurse, but he could use a lot more training. This kid can't make soup, tea and if I close my eyes for too long, he's guaranteed to bust something.

Speaking of toddler beat downs . . .

Madhouse at the Barnes and Noble Saturday evening. Usually I go during a weekday and was unprepared for the crowd. A very young child, under 2, hit Gideon in the face. This happens from time to time. Toddlers hit each other. It's why we take them to places to play together -- so they can get used to sharing with other children. It's not always smooth. Anyhow, it's not the first time Gideon was smacked by another kid and unlikely to be the last, he's been taunted, mocked and teased but he's managed to pull through with all his fingers and toes. My little trooper was fine after this latest assault. The father of the hitter quickly took his young child aside and told him not to hit. I'd have completely forgotten about this non-event by now, but a few minutes later that same little boy hit a girl, a much older girl, like at least 6 years old, three times his size and not hurt at all. The father of that girl freaked out, started screaming at the other father about his out-of-control son -- which was much more frightening than the toddler terrorist. Then the crazed dad went to a store employee, cause I guess he wanted that maybe 2 year-old at most evicted from the store, or arrested or I don't know. The employee was like, "Um, he's a little kid. These are all little kids."

Sometimes interacting with other kids' parents is pleasant, but often it's quite arduous. It's not going to end anytime soon -- there's going to be school functions, birthday parties and sporting events and argh, lord knows what else. It's my second least favorite part of parenting, right after, yep, you guessed it, butt wiping.