KATHY POSNER BABY SITTING BABY MANCOWS?

Baby Sitting Kathy Posner

My Mother loved me and my sister very much, but she was not fond of other people’s children. She called young people “fat squabs.” I never had any children. I never wanted to have any children because they would have gotten in the way of my life. I always wished my sister had decided to have children so I could have spoiled them and been the eccentric Aunt Kathy. I find it enjoyable visiting with friend’s offspring, but I am always glad when they go away. I am good for an hour tops with those less than 21 years of age—with a few exceptions. Given my history of not caring about little people, it is obvious that I probably was never hired to baby sit in my younger years.

I wrote about my feelings for children last November so none of this should come as a surprise to anyone.

Up until now, the only time I have been totally in control of a baby is when, years ago, my friend Stephanie Dillard had a doctor’s appointment at Northwestern Hospital, close to my home and could not find a sitter. I forget which of her and Kirk’s babies it was! All she needed me to do was to sit in the waiting room and watch the baby in its carriage. I was petrified that something would happen on my watch. The fact that I was surrounded by hundreds of nurses and doctors did not matter. I figured, with my luck, the baby would cry or spit and I would be as helpless as it was in not knowing what to do. Obviously, the baby survived.


On Tuesday, I received a call from my friend Mancow who asked what I was doing Friday night. He prefaced the conversation by saying that he had already called everybody he knew and he really needed me. I knew what was coming. I was scared in anticipation of the request from someone I love and would do anything for. It was exactly what I feared. He asked me to baby sit his twin six-year old girls. I have been with these children many times and they are the best-behaved adorable young ladies. (I only like pretty children. Ask my friend Linda.) To be alone with them for hours though would be a daunting task.


I asked Mancow not to give them dinner first, so I could waste some time feeding them. I have an indoor pool in my condo building, so that could be fun. But should I wait after eating to let them swim? I better check on that old wives tale that you are not supposed to supervise children up to an hour after dining.


I have no toys to play with, so I hope they bring something with them. I don’t want to go out and buy anything because then I would be known as the person who has toys for children and other people might drop off their kids. Children can smell toys a mile away and might start flocking.


I decided to cheat a bit. I called a friend with a 5 year old son and invited them over Friday night. Now there will be a grown up in the house, I feel much safer.