I feel like having five kids has put us over the edge, squarely in the "insane" category, according to most of our neighbors. It probably has more to do with where we live than anything else. The houses in our neighborhood are pretty small, so most people who live here move away when they start having kids, or don't plan on having many/any, or they are old and have lost the ability to filter their comments.
Two kids was OK, three was acceptable (but only because the first two were boys, and we must have needed a girl), four was pushing it, but people seemed willing to make allowances for a surprise before we permanently took care of our problem or for us being really eccentric and actually liking children. Five? Now that is just plain crazy. You don't accidentally have five children. You must have lost your mind.
This is mostly based on reactions from strangers or acquaintances, not people I'm actually close to. My family and friends are very supportive (or very good at hiding their true feelings).
But I had this hilarious (I thought) conversation at the elementary school the other day as I watched the girls play on the steps waiting for the bell to ring. The other mom was one I recognized, she has a son in the same class as my oldest.
Her: "Oh! I didn't realize you had TWO little ones. I've only seen the one."
Me: "Yup."
Her: "Wow. How close are they?"
Me: "That one is two, this one is one-and-a-half, and one on the way." I gesture to my obvious belly.
Her: "Oh, wow! So you'll have four? I can't even imagine."
Me: "Actually. . . five. I have one in Kindergarten."
Her: "Oh. . . . five. . . I have my hands full with my two. You must be SO busy."
Me: "They're not bad. The older ones help a lot."
The expressions on her face every time she realized I had one more child than she'd thought were priceless.
So, yes. I guess we seem a little crazy to a lot of people. It's OK. We aren't really having children to please anyone else. So go ahead and stare at us as we parade down the street. I'll pretend it is because you think my children are the most adorable thing you've ever seen, just like I do.
3 comments:
I don't think you're crazy! Oh, and on the cat obsession - we have 3 of them... Two spend a lot of time outside and love attention from anyone.
well i think you're amazing and that's all that matters!
Any of us who actually know you can't really imagine you having a small family. And I just miss having you around to learn from. plus... i like hearing what people say to you :)
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