The Top Three Reasons I Would Make a Horrible Parent
1. Horrible Bedside Manner
So, I'm with a friend of mine who needs to go to the hospital once a year and have his heart examined by really big machines. I guess I was invited as moral support, or perhaps just as a distraction, because I really wasn't much use as anything else. But, we're sitting waiting for the results, and the following conversation ensues:
Me: So, you've been coming here at least once a year since you were five?
Him: Yup.
Me: You've been living with the knowledge that at any point your heart could just burst open and kill you instantly since you were five?
Him: It's not the heart, it's the aorta. And yes, basically.
Me: So, how do they explain that to a five year old? "Well, kid, everyone dies some day, you're just gonna die a lot sooner."
Him: That's not quite how it went.
Me: What, did they explain that death is just a land of magical fairies and chocolate?
Him: I-- No, no, that's not it. As a note, I don't think you'd make a good doctor.
Me: Hey, I think it's a great idea!
Him: See previous comment.
So, yeah... perhaps not so much with the good parenting aspect.
2. Children need actual care.
Unlike my cat, who I can lock in the apartment, going home long enough to feed, water, and pet him on my weekends, I would actually have to take care of a child. My understanding is they need someone there all the time.
3. I like toys too much.
And anything that was purchased for the kid, I'd end up playing with. I have a collection of toys I have to get around to giving to the children of various friends of mine, that I got in China, but they're so darned cute! And yesterday I bought myself a stuff bee that for some reason I insist on wearing around my wrist and have named "Killer". I am so strange.
I've been advised I should also add "wanting to name my daughter Antigone" to the list, but I don't think that would make me a horrible parent, just an eccentric one.
In unrelated news, I gave my notice at work yesterday with a letter that went mostly like this:
Dear (boss man):
I quit.
Formal letter to follow.
See you tomorrow night.
Hugs and Kisses,
Anna
Okay, not quite, but I gave my last day as the 25th.
God, it's all happening so fast now.