I took the kids (my 3 plus the 2 boys I babysit) to the downtown library today to see the Imaginarium's reptile program. We got there with all of the other moms and several day care centers. Since one of the boys I care for is Olivia's exact age, and all of them have blond hair, I got asked more than once if Olivia and S were twins and if all 5 children were mine.
But we sat next to a lady who had a little girl about the age of D (my youngest charge) which is almost 2. Right before the program started, I looked to my left just in time to see a little girl come out from under her mom's shirt and I got a view of more than I ever wanted of the stranger next to me. Holy crap! I thought.
My amazement continued as throughout the program the little girl would grab her mom's shirt and lift it up at will to get a drink. Kind of like how Olivia would take sips of the water bottle she had with her, except not really like that at all. This went on for the entire 40 minutes we sat there learning about snakes and alligators.
But while the kids were learning about beasts that care absolutely nothing for their young beyond the laying of the egg in a sandy hole, I was contemplating my neighbor and the young one she was nurturing right in front of my very eyes. She was obviously bra-less. Trust me, I had a great view, making this lifting of the shirt thing akin to running to the water dispenser on the fridge except this one had warm milk flowing at the push of a button. Or a pull of the teet rather. The mother did nothing to aid in her daughter's getting refreshment. Mom chatted with her friend and paid attention to the program as if nothing unusual was going on.
I started to get the fidgets. Could you imagine folding laundry and having your fairly grown child run up to you, lift your shirt and get a snack? When does it stop? I mean, if you haven't stopped by 2 when do you stop? Do you have more than one child doing this? I was picturing myself (in another life where I have a thick braid that goes below my waist, hiking shoes and faded black socks, a woven hemp bracelet around my wrist and purple tunic over olive combat pants) and there were 2 or 3 kids in the scenario clambering for something to drink. Their grimy hands pawing all over me, jumping up and down off my lap in constant succession.
I got out of that reverie in a hurry.
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5 comments:
Seriously SO funny that you would post about this because I'm dealing with a similar situation! Yesterday a parent of a primary kid called me and said that she had gone to pick up her 6-year-old from class and her teacher was nursing her 2 YEAR OLD with no cover at all. What is the deal people?! When to say when is WAY before your child can run up and get a snack on their own :)
Oh my gosh, this is too funny. Especially since yesterday I said to Blake that I'm feeling like I'm ready to be done with the whole nursing thing. Blake's reply was "so you're going to stop boobin' it?" And yes, I do believe boobin it is the politically correct term. Right after we had Brooke, I watched this 20/20 about extreme motherhood and there was a kindergardner still being nursed. all I have to say is Yuck! Oh, my friend Gena (pronounced Gina) is moving to AK with her hubby. I gave her your email because she is freaking out on where to live. Hope that's okay.
Ack!
I think the longest I nursed a kid was 16 months. I know in other cultures they go longer, but (shudder) couldn't she just use a blanket? criminy.
Well... I nursed on average all mine till just over 2. B was the oldest to wean. BUT....we laid rules down too. There was none in public after a year. only at home...
Gagging...
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