The World Agrees With Me About Something
So I have this pet peeve that I've had for years. I think I actually get it from my mother.
Anyway, this particular peeve is when people talk about a man taking care of his offspring and say that he's "babysitting." If the kids are yours, you are parenting.
So today in Sunday School Homeroom they made mention of there being a ladies' activity in September and said that the men had to "babysit."
Of course, you know me and my Tourette's. I couldn't keep still and shouted out "NO! If they are your kids you are NOT babysitting. You don't BABYSIT your own kids." Or something very similar to that. People there know me, and while I'm sure they were annoyed they let my outburst slide.
Anyway, turns out I was watching a TiVo'd Law & Order:Crazy Faux Sherlock Played By That Guy From Mystic Pizza episode, and they said the exact same thing in that episode.
I love it when I'm on a wavelength!!!!
posted by Kat Coble @ 7:28 PM
8 comments
8 Comments:
I was so glad you said something. That has always annoyed me. Especially when men act like they are making a huge sacrifice by spending a few hours alone with their kids.
I hate that too!! You only babysit kids that are not YOURS! If you're a man and you've got the kids, you are SPENDING TIME WITH YOUR CHILDREN, not babysitting.
See? It pisses me off so badly, I overuse caps.
You're definitely not alone, as that observation came up in TWO conversations today.
Though there's a temptation to get passive/aggressive about it, or to just go ballistic about it, I recommend that you cheerfully note the fallacy to the male in your life--we males know that it's true. But we come from a long line of uninvolved dads and often pine for the days of recliners and low expectations.
Blake, I've got it TiVo'd and was saving it for TV goodness tonight. Believe me, I'm looking forward to it.
I gather from your emoticon that it was good. ;-p
Lydia, I'm glad at least one person didn't think I was nuts.
Ned, fortunately the male in my life is not the problem. I think if someone told him he was babysitting his own kids he'd smack them and say "no, I'm being their father." Ironically, the people I happen to hear babysit from the most tend to be women. It's as though some women don't perceive men to be adequate parents.
That's a huge pet peeve for David, too and he has also verbally expressed it to others in similar situations! It's rubbed off on me as well. Recently, when I was somewhere without my kids, someone asked if David was "babysitting". It took a couple moments for me to come out with a polite response.
Exactly. I felt the same way when those JC Penney "where is your mother" commercials were on the air. Because, clearly, dad can't be expected to handle the kids. Grrr. I really wanted to link this from NiT, but my connection didn't stay up long enough on Sunday to do so.
I never thought about it before, but you're right!
I'll agree to jump on the "Stop calling it babysitting" bandwagon if wives will stop saying "We're pregnant."
Unless you're uttering the phrase in a group of other expectant mothers, there isn't any "we" to this pregnancy thing. It's especially annoying when it's the husband who uses the "we're pregnant" line. Any guy who says that probably is capable of getting pregnant.
Men, your job is on hiatus for nine months. . . . After which point, it's time for you to start babysitting . . . errr, I mean "watching your children."
(awaits flame)
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