Paolo wrote: Wed May 16, 2007 4:43 pm I'll warn anyone here who's even THINKING about having children (conceiving or buying used ones) who hasn't before - talk to ME first.

I think that in this context the otherwise-unlovely euphemism "pre-owned" is undoubtedly preferable to "used".

I take care to feed my brother and his wife at least one line intended to show that uncle is irresponsible with kids, everytime we meet. Otherwise they might come to me for baby sitting...

Plus, I figure if they DO turn up, that gives me a mandate to do some (slightly) irresponsible, fun things because, hey - they were warned!

Several years ago a friends daughter was brushing my hair. I asked her what she was doing and she said "making you pretty for daddy". I was amazed at how she knew her dad better than he knows himself.

Another time we went to see Mulan and I was saying goodbye. Before I parted company I asked the daughter for a hug. She gave me a great hug. Next I asked for a kiss. She said no, but in that sweet high pitched voice that could be heard everywhere, she announced daddy would give me a kiss. Daddy got flustered.

twaddler (imported) wrote: Fri May 18, 2007 3:58 pm I can only take so much before I get get majorly frazzled. There's only so many times I can hear 'Uncle Craig, time for a makeover'

at least i'm not the only one! I suffer from 'uncle jamie' syndrome every time little warren arrives - if I been working nights I might as well give up on the concept of sleep until he's as tired as I can get him - this usually involves some wrestling manoeuvers, helping him walk upside down along the ceiling like spiderman, a sword fight (plastic ones of course!!) and general rough + tumble ; by which time i'm usually breathing like one of my 80yr old patients (and they'd probably have more energy) and I would have been nagged to death by my brother that warren is going to be "hyper all night and it's all my fault" (blah, blah....)

isn't that what uncles are for?? I love giving him back when he's bouncing off the walls! (that'll teach my bro to deprive me of my sleep!!)

...

wolverine1 (imported) wrote: Sat May 19, 2007 11:50 pm a sword fight (plastic ones of course!!) ...

Yes, it really wouldn't be fair to use real swords until the little brat turns seven.