
As of yesterday, I am now the proud great grandmother of a baby. I don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl. I wasn’t there for the blessed event. My husband transported granddaughter and her new child home from school yesterday, so I haven’t even had a chance to get a good look at him or her.
Of course I’m kidding. The child is simply a fake baby, provided by the school, to teach teens how to care for a child – how to be responsible for another human being – how to think twice about having one. The interactive program is designed to teach teens parenting skills; inform them of possible dangers and how to handle them; to prepare them for early childhood and health occupations.
I wonder if this is a fair evaluation for these young people. Are they really getting a clear picture of what this whole parenting thing is about? They aren’t going through an actual pregnancy, complete with morning sickness, cravings and size distortion. They aren’t experiencing emotional highs and lows associated with pregnancy. They are not sporting stretch marks and varicose veins. They don’t have to endure hours of contractions and water breaking. They don’t have to go through a birthing process. They simply get handed a baby and are told to take care of it.
In a way, I guess that’s what happens. Getting pregnant is the easy part. Going through a pregnancy is an inconvenience, but you know it will end. The hard part comes when you’re handed the baby, take it home and go through the process of parenting. There is no handbook or owner’s manual. You’re on your own. There are no two children exactly alike, so each experience is different.
We struggle through the yuck of changing diapers, cleaning spit up off our clothes, cuddling, comforting and nurturing, but the real parenting part has just begun. Now the parent is responsible for another life. Now they must find a way to provide for them. Now they must decide how to discipline and teach them. Now they’re embarking on a roller coaster ride that has so many twists and turns, they probably never would’ve boarded it in the first place.
Perhaps when they start giving out terrible two fake kids, or adolescents, there might be a little more truth to the whole situation.
I remember when my daughters had theirs, one was up all night, the other slept all night. It’s not fair the one up all night would say lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
ouch- preteens would be a test to their sanity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Divine retribution I would say😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
when I was still teaching what was once called home ec but morphed into something like family living education—made the students carry around a 5 bound bag of flour –they carried these sacks of flour everywhere as teacher and other students were to report back if they “witnessed” any ill treatment of said “baby”…
I don’t know if a sack of flour was a very good standing—but given how many of our kids at the time were young parents—I don’t think the flour lesson was very practical
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol. I’m hoping this is not a sign of things to come.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know right— 👶
LikeLiked by 1 person
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! Great Grandma to a baby doll is a breeze! 😉 Love it! You are too funny! 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope the reality of it doesn’t set in for a few more years!
LikeLike
So true. Love your last line. However, some schools make a student keep the “baby” with them all the time so it might be a hint of what parenting means. Doing it with your peers might just make a game of it. Actually it is not very realistic. I came over to say a thanks for the likes you leave at my place. I like “interactive” blogging. I love seeing your little icon. It’s encouraging. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was out running errands a couple of days ago when I saw two high school girls carrying baby dolls wrapped in blankets — took me a minute to figure out what was going on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I prefer they learn this before it becomes necessary ❤️
LikeLike
I wish there was an option for this for adults! My husband and I are now approaching 30 and I would love an opportunity at a trial run lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like a great idea. Everyone of us can use some experience in this area.
LikeLike