To feel awkward around kids?

[donemeover]

Just that really. I feel very, very awkward around children.

I don't know what to say to them or what to do - and find it quite dull keeping up pretend conversations and laughter out of politeness.

I don't mind babies, when they are just present and not talking but once they reach 2 years and older, I just find it awkward until they're 10 and older. Ages 2-10 I find communication real difficult! And dull.

Is this a sign I shouldn't be a parent because I keep being told it's different when they're you're own.

Is that true, Or is it equally awkward and boring even when they're your own?

God I hate having to interact with other peoples kids. I can chat shut until the cows come home with mine but I'm just not one of those kid friendly people.

I adore my DD but secretly find other children a bit boring and sometimes annoying. I also struggle to know what to say to them. Don’t worry, you learn a good repartee with your own child that suits you both. It is v different.

I am like you OP! I found other people’s kids hard work and hate it when I get forced to role play with them! I’ve got a baby girl now and I’m already making an arse of myself to make her laugh so I think it’s totally different! I still won’t be keen on role play though 😂

God I much prefer talking to kids than adults 🤣 much more interesting & fun. Aside from
teens-awkward as hell

I feel awkward around other people’s kids, but it’s different with my own.
I tolerate other people’s children to help my children’s friendships and I’m obviously warm and welcoming to them if they’re in my house for a play date or something. But I honestly cannot wait for home time.

I find my own children wonderful and funny and interesting and great company (aged between 9 and 13)). My nieces and nephews, love them. Other people's children.... just not that fussed! I wouldn't worry OP!

Children are all different. Some are engaging and you get a connection. Others are rude, or annoying, or do that odd staring where the lights are on and no one’s home. I think the latter kids have no sense of humour so gawp at you if you try to make a joke or be funny. Just like lots of adults, really!

I have multiple children and still don’t like most kids. Could probably count on one hand the ones I actively enjoy interacting with - the others I find boring, silly, or annoying. I know it’s not really them, it’s me, but practise has allowed me to make conversation with them when I need to and manners dictates, but I don’t relish it.

It’s not a decider about whether or not to have your own children, though. I have immense fun with mine and really enjoy their company.

@Lucythewonderdog

“Miracles” 🙄 really *@Clarkey86*?

Just read around here, even today long threads about how women are being left (by their perception) with the boring child rearing while the husband gets promoted to earning £70k from £28k. Still. Unhappy she throws out “any idiot can have children “ at people. Lol what a great life eh? Who needs that crap and stress, I know I’d rather be childfree ❤️

I don’t really know what you’re on about as it didn’t make a lot of coherent sense, but when I had my first child I did think it was miraculous that I’d created her, yes.

Absolutely not everyone wants children which is fine, and of course some women end up in horrible situations, but that wasn’t the question was it.

The OP is considering her options and I’m not the only person to have wanted to reassure her that it feels very different when it’s your own.

Your response was truly weird.

So is yours @Clarkey86, carrying out a very basic function is not a miracle. 🙄

@Lucythewonderdog

So is yours *@Clarkey86*, carrying out a very basic function is not a miracle. 🙄

You really hate that word, huh? Literally nothing in life is a miracle. Miracles don’t exist. People use the word when they are discussing things that are wonderful - which having children is.

May I politely suggest that MumsNet might not be the best place for you.

I am exactly the same with children, I like my own (but they can still be boring conversationally too!) but it is much, much better once you have your own! Gives you an idea of topics to chat about with other children too!

Other kids annoy me. I don’t have a clue what to say to them.
My own are amazing. My 3 year old and I have the best conversations.

I havekids but still don't like other kids never have
Probably never will haha

I think with your own children you love them so much and in ways they are to a point an extension of you. Bringing them up with similar values and beliefs and at that age it wouldn't of strayed that much so of course you enjoy their conversations as its like talking to yourself. I think that makes sense.

I'll report back to you in a couple of years OP . I am exactly the same, in finding other people's young children very dull and hard to engage with, but I liked the idea of older kids.

I decided that if I only had one DC, I could suck up the young child stage, and I am now a few weeks away from my due date.

How can a child be boring? They are so full of curiosity the thrill of exploring. The only downside is that they trust you to know everything but you can only do your best!

Kids are just people so some youll relate to more than others.

Some humans are easy to chat with. Some are hard work. Child or adult.

Your own children and children you develop a relationship with are generally interesting because you follow as their interests develop and you understand their wavelength.

I won't pretend that I'm riveted by every conversation with my DCs. One of them can get very in depth on topics I have little interest in, but there are other topics that I have developed a mild interest in because of them... heck, I even know what I'm doing in minecraft now

I hate interacting with kids. Don't really know what to say. But I'm fine with my own!

Also still can't hold babies, even though mine is now 3 lol. It was fine with her, but feels weird with other people's

I am so awkward around other people’s kids. I will literally stand there in silence sometimes not knowing quite what to say next . But I have 3 of my own and can confirm that it is different

By the time your kids get to 2, you'd have had them long enough to still like them.

Although frankly mine are nearly two and keep STANDING UP ON THE WINDOW SILL so there's def time I don't like mine very much.

Not awkward but very, very bored around kids. God this sounds so, so horrible but I enjoy the interaction for maybe 10-20 minutes and then wish I could just walk away from whatever we are saying/doing.

I don’t have children but I do agree with others that I can imagine it’s massively different with your own children.

I know for a fact that having children isn’t for me at all for quite a few reasons, but the awkwardness of conversation with other people’s children wouldn’t be one of them.

I have little interest in other people's kids. It can be awkward engaging with an adult you have nothing in common with, let alone a child where the common ground is non existent.
It is definitely never awkward or boring with your own. They're the furthest from a stranger and also very funny