Sort of last minute, like about 4 weeks ago, things changed around so I got to come out to my sister’s for 10 days, from now until Christmas! Expect uneven posting and not much thought from now until the 27th!
I’ve been here 24 hours and so far I have learned that a house with a 1 year old and a 4 year old has stuff all over the floor, vaguely smells of urine, and features stickers prominantly.
No chance to inculcate with Indian film yet, the only interest remains Mommy-Food for the baby and Cars-Firemen-Policemen-Trucks for the 4 year old. If I can get him alone, totally showing the 4 year old the Dhoom movies. But not sure if there is really anything else for him in Indian cinema at the moment? 1 year old would only be interested in an Indian film if it featured Mommy. I have managed to get him from haaaaaaaaaaaaaating me, to distrusting me, to tolerating me, but really the whole world is Mommy, and then a bunch of dangerous monsters so far as he is concerned.
4 year old is coming around! I’m no Mommy, obviously, and there are certain things I can’t do because I’m not Mommy and that would be Wrong (like, tuck him in, or read him naptime books). But he will allow me to feed him, read to him, and occasionally admire as his car does tricks.
When does it happen that Auntie is BETTER than Mommy? Is that when they are teenagers? SO LONG!!!
dontcallitbollywood 
Soooooooo does that mean “Dunki” at the Methuen AMC??? ( ;
Enjoy your unexpected trip. Heightened materteral status does indeed correlate to the age/wisdom of the nibling, I find.
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Maybe! We drove past the Methuen exit today and I thought about it.
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Whoops, sorry, that was me (Shelomit)–hence the item of local interest! Haven’t got my tix yet, although probably should in case the early show fills up and I miss my extremely important bedtime. . .
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Bedtime becomes everything I look forward to with a newborn! We went to a holiday party on Friday and came home at 10:45pm after having a couple of cocktails and oh my — I regretted everything about that decision!
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Yes! Especially this time of year, I adore a strict bedtime : )
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Ahhhhh!!! Sister and nephews time!!! Just bribe the nephews with snacks they are usually not allowed to have. That generally works for Mr. Toddles! Oh and buses and cars and trains! The ones at the grocery store are fantastic!
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When they are old enough to stay with you away from parents willingly, somewhere between ages 8-12 you have a chance of of being better than Mommy by totally spoiling them. But the deep dark truth is you will NEVER be better than Mommy. (says the mommy)
When the 9 year old was four he liked KKHH because he loved the little Anjali. And I think he liked Bang Bang and Thugs of Hindustani. It was kinda easy to get him to like Indian movies because I was still fairly good at limiting any screens back then, so any screen was special. I am not as good at screen limitation as I used to be. Of the kids shows that are more palatable for adults to watch as well I’m a fan of Wild Kratts and Sesame Street. Oh, and documentaries on cool things like volcanoes and sink holes. Oh, and 4 is the age where two of my three kids started listening to early chapter books, so reading could be fun. Winnie the Pooh, Magic Treehouse, one of them even got into The Hobbit.
I love 4, I love listening to their imaginary play. I love playdough on the kitchen table. Process over product artwork. They remember everything, a 4 year old can have encylopedic knowledge of every farm tool and truck in existence. So much is exciting, so much is overwhelming. Enjoy your time with your sister’s family!
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Mr. Toddles has been much more into Dad recently, and I know I should feel bad (and secretly I do), but also, I am okay with saying “see ya! Mom’s having a glass of wine and relaxing for a bit.”
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When the 15 year old was a baby I worked, but I worked weekends so we didn’t have to pay for as much child care. We did discover that the child’s favorite was who ever he was with the most that day. Financially it didn’t pencil to work with #2 (or #3 much) so I had top billing. (Sadly it took sooo much longer for both #2 and #3 to bond with Daddy because he never had sole care of them). So under that logic, all Margaret has to do to become the favorite is to become the main caregiver!
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Well, I’ve already babysat solo for about 4 hours. Which was not enough time to win over Baby, he just spent 4 hours screaming at me. And then slept all the way through the night, so I guess the screaming was good since it wore him out?
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Filmikhudi, I had a phase earlier this year (5-6 months) when my son (who’s Mr.T’s age) only wanted “daddy”, it was embarrassing actually, he’d scream in public like it’s an attempted kidnapping if I try to take him from dad.
I think it was because I was working really long hours then (16-18 easily on avg). Now he’s back to preferring me, but what this experience taught me is that they can be fickle and silly and really they don’t know any better and I should take the breaks I get…. so I hope that your good humour about it continues!!
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Oh it’s Saira btw!
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I can totally picture the horrified look on your face as your child is screaming for dad while being with you like he’s being kidnapped by a stranger. Also, I am assuming this is Saira based on the comment below and the age of your son.
Your reasoning also makes perfect sense to me! I think Mr. T is going through a Dad phase for similar reasons. Dad wakes him up in the morning, picks him up from school, and also physically picks him up, which I couldn’t for a couple weeks after having B2. Today, after school he was being fussy and wanted dad. I went to pick him up and the little brat actually says “Noo MOVE.” 🤦🏽♀️
So I went to take a bath! 😁
I’m sure he will come around eventually (and I do know that right before bed and when he’s hurt, he still wants mom). So for now, I’ll take those other times when he just wants dad to take a break!
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Nephew A is in the phase of knowing everything. As in, if you say “Nephew, my suitcase is the red one” he will say “I knew that”. It’s extremely irritating.
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Make a game where he has to tell you something you don’t know or a LIE and then you do the same for him. For example : Did you know the stars are really other planets? – Yes? you’re wrong they’re burning balls of gas like our sun! And then you both could look up totally obscure facts and try and confuse the other.
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Such a good idea!! Storing for when my kid hits this stage!
& Saira
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Oh, that would be a silly joke! To tell him something NOT true and trick him!
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Pingback: I’m At My Sister’s! Nephew Time! - News Hour 24/7
I’ll make you totally jealous by revealing that my wife’s brother is absolutely both our kids’ favorite person. Well, Big Boy is debating whether he might like his grandma just as much. Big Boy started staying with him when he was only three. I’m not really sure how he does it, though. I mean, he’s single and always takes the time to really interact with the kids, play the games that I’m tired of, that sort of thing. He gives them juice and the most fun kinds of sprinkles. But he may also have the unfair advantage that he’s filling a niche otherwise unoccupied in our family. He’s their closest male identification figure.
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I am so jealous! It’s not fair. I’m just Mommy, but less good.
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Oh I love your nephew stories!! – Saira
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Pingback: I’m At My Sister’s! Nephew Time! – pankajsharmalife
I put this song on a playlist as a joke for my boys who ADORED it when they were 4. And then I thought I should share because maybe DCIB Aunties and Moms and Dads don’t know about the twenty trucks alt rock for toddlers songs…
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