Are you a 'natural' with children?

[TheArmadillo]

I'm not. Its not that I hate other people's children, there are several that I quite like, but I'm not 'at ease' with kids in general.

My ds is only 2 at the moment and so haven't really had to do playdates or parties or anything, but I'm gonna have to do something in the future and it terrifies me.

I don't know how to look after children, how to speak to them etc. Its like an alien race to me. I don't get worked up or angry with them, but I just don't know what to do with them.

I'm fine with my ds cos he's mine (though I have to admit my family and friends were really worried with how I would cope). But I find it difficult with other people's, especially if I don't know the kid well.

Is it just me? What do you do?

I've never liked children I used to hate getting home from work and finding that DH had brought home one of the kids' friends to play. I never know what to say to them and I find the whole situation uncomfortable.

Having said that I worked as an LSA in a secondary school and found that I was OK with the older kids (Y10 up).

It's been much easier since mine have been too old for parties and playdates..

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thanks for the replies - it nice to know I'm not teh only one in this.

Most of my friends and family were nannies/nursery nurses/teachers before having children and so its been nice to hear from others who are not.

god know I am not a natural, having to look after anyone's kids other than my own fills me with terror!

Yeah i am i think..and i can't help but like em ...even the orrible ones!

No, I'm rubbish. It's been a steep, steep learning curve for me. And I love my own kids (though 'playing' bores me rigid) but other children are...well...weird.

I'm fab with other people's kids - cen never think of what to say/do with my own I end up baking (if in doubt, make a cake!)

Must say though, although I do seem to have an affinity with kids, I don't neccessarilty like them...

I feel the same Armadillo, I just don't know how to relate to them. I found babies the same age as dd ok, but now dd is 19m I'm even finding her "friends" (i.e my friends dc) hard to talk to! I just know dd so well, we have our jokes and I know her likes and dislikes. Other kids are a mystery and at this age alot of them just look at you....
Older are even worse as I have no idea whats expected of them behaviour wise so find them all rude/annoying/badly behaved when infact they are just being normal kids.
I dread playdates and parties in the future but just hope I get used to it the more kids I have!

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clean teh toilets at waterloo!!!!I'd rather lick them