Narrative Essay
"The Babysitters Shrug"
Becoming well acquainted with another person's bodily functions; growing adept at noticing and disposing of the plethora of things that could find themselves lodged in a baby's throat. Knowing every line to every song in Disney’s latest block buster “Frozen”. These skills were not in my repertoire until I began babysitting for the Purcell-Bauer family from 2:10 until six pm three days a week after school. Surprising even myself, I grew to love every minute of it.
Babies were never an area of interest for me. My maternal instincts stopped at age 7 when I chucked my baby-doll, creatively named “Baby”, into the trash in favor of a color changing mermaid Barbie toy. “Baby” had never been very well taken care of. She had multiple dirt marks and juice box stains on her cloth and plastic body. When I grew older I found out it would be medically un-favorable for me to have children, but this didn't faze me either. I did not feel not saddened or disappointed at all. If anything I felt relieved at the promise of never having to change a diaper or clean spit up from my hair! All in all, babies never really appealed to me, and I felt thankful I never had to spend more than ten minutes alone with one at a time.
Then came Friday, March 21st 2014. I received a text in the middle of last bell from Lenora, a family friend. Lenora asked me if I knew anyone available to babysit after school about three days a week while she and her husband were at work. I told her I was available if she could provide transportation for me. She told me that she could indeed and we negotiated a price per week.
That next Monday I felt nervous and excited the whole day about starting babysitting that afternoon. I had no experience babysitting and I felt worried that she might disintegrate in my unskilled care. 2:10 approached quickly and I raced to Lenora’s car. I hopped in the car and said “Hello” to Hazel, the precious one-year old girl I would be babysitting that afternoon. On the way to their house Lenora explained all the details.
"She is not allowed in the bathroom or the kitchen. There are peas for her lunch on the counter with a spoon, and her bottle is made already. You can put her down for a nap after she drinks her bottle or when she starts to act tired."
I nodded along, making careful mental notes on the do's and don’ts.
Arriving at the house we walked to Hazel's room. Lenora asked me if I knew how to change a diaper and I said “I think so?". I had never changed a diaper in my life. She demonstrated the process and it looked less complicated than I expected. Lenora kissed Hazel on the head and left for work, reminding me Chris would arrive home at 6.
I begin to sweat, feeling nervous about the responsibility of another small human life placed on my shoulders. Hazel cocked her head to one side and stared at me as if she knew what I was thinking. As the day went on, we watched the movie "Frozen" twice and I fed her a delicious lunch of peas and carrots. I felt mostly bored and realized I had no real idea what I was doing. Then the unthinkable happened. I smelled something coming from her diaper, a very distinct, very unfortunate smell.
I picked her up and placed her on the changing table. She cooed and played with a baby wipe she'd managed to pull from the package next to her. I unsnapped her onesie and went through the steps Lenora had showed me earlier. When I finished I chucked the dirty diaper in the trash, re-buttoned her onesie and put her back down to play. Soon I heard the front doors lock click and Chris, Hazel's father, walked up the steps to the living room and picked up his daughter. He looked at her and noticed something seemed a bit funny.
"Did you change her diaper today?" he asked.
"Yeah I did, after she ate."
"Well you put it on backwards.”
I turned red and laughed, embarrassed at my mistake. He fixed the problem and drove me home, thanking me for my service.
I never thought I would become a babysitter, taking responsibility for another helpless little human. I especially never thought I would enjoy it! However I found that playing with her, feeding her, reading to her, and hearing her laughter brought me so much happiness! Babysitting taught me responsibility, patience, and above all I found a love for kids I never knew I had! I still don't want children, but I will happily babysit for a nominal fee!
Babies were never an area of interest for me. My maternal instincts stopped at age 7 when I chucked my baby-doll, creatively named “Baby”, into the trash in favor of a color changing mermaid Barbie toy. “Baby” had never been very well taken care of. She had multiple dirt marks and juice box stains on her cloth and plastic body. When I grew older I found out it would be medically un-favorable for me to have children, but this didn't faze me either. I did not feel not saddened or disappointed at all. If anything I felt relieved at the promise of never having to change a diaper or clean spit up from my hair! All in all, babies never really appealed to me, and I felt thankful I never had to spend more than ten minutes alone with one at a time.
Then came Friday, March 21st 2014. I received a text in the middle of last bell from Lenora, a family friend. Lenora asked me if I knew anyone available to babysit after school about three days a week while she and her husband were at work. I told her I was available if she could provide transportation for me. She told me that she could indeed and we negotiated a price per week.
That next Monday I felt nervous and excited the whole day about starting babysitting that afternoon. I had no experience babysitting and I felt worried that she might disintegrate in my unskilled care. 2:10 approached quickly and I raced to Lenora’s car. I hopped in the car and said “Hello” to Hazel, the precious one-year old girl I would be babysitting that afternoon. On the way to their house Lenora explained all the details.
"She is not allowed in the bathroom or the kitchen. There are peas for her lunch on the counter with a spoon, and her bottle is made already. You can put her down for a nap after she drinks her bottle or when she starts to act tired."
I nodded along, making careful mental notes on the do's and don’ts.
Arriving at the house we walked to Hazel's room. Lenora asked me if I knew how to change a diaper and I said “I think so?". I had never changed a diaper in my life. She demonstrated the process and it looked less complicated than I expected. Lenora kissed Hazel on the head and left for work, reminding me Chris would arrive home at 6.
I begin to sweat, feeling nervous about the responsibility of another small human life placed on my shoulders. Hazel cocked her head to one side and stared at me as if she knew what I was thinking. As the day went on, we watched the movie "Frozen" twice and I fed her a delicious lunch of peas and carrots. I felt mostly bored and realized I had no real idea what I was doing. Then the unthinkable happened. I smelled something coming from her diaper, a very distinct, very unfortunate smell.
I picked her up and placed her on the changing table. She cooed and played with a baby wipe she'd managed to pull from the package next to her. I unsnapped her onesie and went through the steps Lenora had showed me earlier. When I finished I chucked the dirty diaper in the trash, re-buttoned her onesie and put her back down to play. Soon I heard the front doors lock click and Chris, Hazel's father, walked up the steps to the living room and picked up his daughter. He looked at her and noticed something seemed a bit funny.
"Did you change her diaper today?" he asked.
"Yeah I did, after she ate."
"Well you put it on backwards.”
I turned red and laughed, embarrassed at my mistake. He fixed the problem and drove me home, thanking me for my service.
I never thought I would become a babysitter, taking responsibility for another helpless little human. I especially never thought I would enjoy it! However I found that playing with her, feeding her, reading to her, and hearing her laughter brought me so much happiness! Babysitting taught me responsibility, patience, and above all I found a love for kids I never knew I had! I still don't want children, but I will happily babysit for a nominal fee!
The Babysitters Shrug DRAFT
I never thought I would become so well acquainted with another person's bodily functions. Or so adept at noticing and removing the plethora of things that could find themselves lodged in a baby's throat. Or so incredibly sick of Disney's latest family blockbuster “Frozen”. I never thought I would end up babysitting from 2:10 until 6pm three days a week after school for the Purcell-Bauer family. But I did, and I really grew to love it.
Babies were never an area of interest for me. My maternal instincts stopped at age 7 when I chucked my baby-doll, creatively named “Baby”, into the trash in favor of a color changing mermaid Barbie toy. “Baby” had never been very well taken care of anyways, she had multiple dirt marks and juice box stains on her cloth and plastic body. Her painted on plastic eyes were beginning to flake off after years of play causing her to look too much like a“haunted horror movie” doll. As I grew older I found out it would be medically un-favorable for me to have children, but this didn't phase me either. I was not saddened or disappointed at all. If anything I was relieved at the promise of never having to change a diaper or clean spit up from my hair! All in all, babies were never really appealing to me and I was thankful I never had to spend more than ten minutes alone with one at a time.
But then came Friday, March 21st 2014. I recieve a text in the middle of last bell from Lenora, Jessicas sister-in-law. She asks me if I know anyone who is available to babysit after school about three days a week while she and her husband are at work. I tell her I’m available if shes willing to provide transportation for me. She tells "Yes absolutely I can! Thats great!" We negotiate a price per week and she tells me that I’ll be starting next monday.
I was nervous and excited the whole day about starting babysitting that afternoon. I've never been alone with a baby for more than ten minutes and I'm worried that she might explode or disintegrate or otherwise perish under my unskilled care. 2:10 approached quickly and I race from my class on the other side of the school to Lenoras car. Hopping in the car I say, “Hello” to Hazel, the precious one-year old girl I'll be babysitting. In the car on the way to their house Lenora explains all the details. "Shes not allowed in the bathroom or the kitchen. There are peas for her lunch on the counter with a spoon, her bottle is made already. You can put her down for a nap after she drinks her bottle or when she starts to act tired." I nod along, making careful mental notes on the do's and dont's.
Arriving at the house we walk to Hazel's room. I see a giant Sailor Neptune cut out on her wall, along with bat decals and a painting of a fairy. Her toys, purple, pink, light up and loud. A turtle that sings the same song over and over. Her giant pile of stuffed animals, mostly “My Little Pony” and a giant stuffed Tarantula for good measure. Lenora asks me if I know how to change a diaper, I say "I think so?". I've never changed a diaper a day in my life. So, she demonstates the process and its less complicated than I expected. Lenora kisses Hazel on the head and leaves for work, reminding me Chris will be home at 6.
I am now alone, with a baby. She is my sole responsibility. I begin to sweat, feeling nervous about the responsibility of another small human life being placed on my shoulders. Hazel cocks her head to one side and stares at me, then goes to her toybox and begins pressing buttons on her singing turtle toy. As the day went on, we watched the movie "Frozen" twice and I fed her a delicious lunch of peas and carrots. I was mostly bored and realized I had no idea what I was doing. Then the unthinkable happened. I smelled somthing comming from her diaper, a very distinct, very unfortunate smell. It was time for me to fufill my duty as baby-sitter and change a diaper. I was not thrilled.
As I picked her up and placed her on the changing table she cooed and played with a baby wipe shed managed to pull from the package next to her. I unsnapped her onsie and went through the steps Lenora had showed me earler. When I was done I chucked the dirty diaper in the trash, re buttoned her onsie and put her back down to play. Soon I head the front doors lock click and Chris, Hazels father, walks up the steps to the living room and picks up his daughter. He looked at her and noticed somthing was a bit funny. "Did you chnage her diaper today?" he asks. "Yeah I did, after she ate." I reply. "Well you put it on backwards." I turned red and laughed, embarassed at my mistake. He fixes the problem and drives me home, thanking me for my service.
I never thought I would be a babysitter, taking responsibility for another helpless little human. I especially never thought I would enjoy it! However playing with her, feeding her, trying to read to her, and a are moment when she wanted to sit on my lap and take selfies with me, all of these I really loved and I never expected I would find joy in them! Babysitting taught me responsibility, patience, and above all I found a love for kids I never knew I had! I still dont want chrildren, but I'll be happy to babysit for a nominal fee!
Babies were never an area of interest for me. My maternal instincts stopped at age 7 when I chucked my baby-doll, creatively named “Baby”, into the trash in favor of a color changing mermaid Barbie toy. “Baby” had never been very well taken care of anyways, she had multiple dirt marks and juice box stains on her cloth and plastic body. Her painted on plastic eyes were beginning to flake off after years of play causing her to look too much like a“haunted horror movie” doll. As I grew older I found out it would be medically un-favorable for me to have children, but this didn't phase me either. I was not saddened or disappointed at all. If anything I was relieved at the promise of never having to change a diaper or clean spit up from my hair! All in all, babies were never really appealing to me and I was thankful I never had to spend more than ten minutes alone with one at a time.
But then came Friday, March 21st 2014. I recieve a text in the middle of last bell from Lenora, Jessicas sister-in-law. She asks me if I know anyone who is available to babysit after school about three days a week while she and her husband are at work. I tell her I’m available if shes willing to provide transportation for me. She tells "Yes absolutely I can! Thats great!" We negotiate a price per week and she tells me that I’ll be starting next monday.
I was nervous and excited the whole day about starting babysitting that afternoon. I've never been alone with a baby for more than ten minutes and I'm worried that she might explode or disintegrate or otherwise perish under my unskilled care. 2:10 approached quickly and I race from my class on the other side of the school to Lenoras car. Hopping in the car I say, “Hello” to Hazel, the precious one-year old girl I'll be babysitting. In the car on the way to their house Lenora explains all the details. "Shes not allowed in the bathroom or the kitchen. There are peas for her lunch on the counter with a spoon, her bottle is made already. You can put her down for a nap after she drinks her bottle or when she starts to act tired." I nod along, making careful mental notes on the do's and dont's.
Arriving at the house we walk to Hazel's room. I see a giant Sailor Neptune cut out on her wall, along with bat decals and a painting of a fairy. Her toys, purple, pink, light up and loud. A turtle that sings the same song over and over. Her giant pile of stuffed animals, mostly “My Little Pony” and a giant stuffed Tarantula for good measure. Lenora asks me if I know how to change a diaper, I say "I think so?". I've never changed a diaper a day in my life. So, she demonstates the process and its less complicated than I expected. Lenora kisses Hazel on the head and leaves for work, reminding me Chris will be home at 6.
I am now alone, with a baby. She is my sole responsibility. I begin to sweat, feeling nervous about the responsibility of another small human life being placed on my shoulders. Hazel cocks her head to one side and stares at me, then goes to her toybox and begins pressing buttons on her singing turtle toy. As the day went on, we watched the movie "Frozen" twice and I fed her a delicious lunch of peas and carrots. I was mostly bored and realized I had no idea what I was doing. Then the unthinkable happened. I smelled somthing comming from her diaper, a very distinct, very unfortunate smell. It was time for me to fufill my duty as baby-sitter and change a diaper. I was not thrilled.
As I picked her up and placed her on the changing table she cooed and played with a baby wipe shed managed to pull from the package next to her. I unsnapped her onsie and went through the steps Lenora had showed me earler. When I was done I chucked the dirty diaper in the trash, re buttoned her onsie and put her back down to play. Soon I head the front doors lock click and Chris, Hazels father, walks up the steps to the living room and picks up his daughter. He looked at her and noticed somthing was a bit funny. "Did you chnage her diaper today?" he asks. "Yeah I did, after she ate." I reply. "Well you put it on backwards." I turned red and laughed, embarassed at my mistake. He fixes the problem and drives me home, thanking me for my service.
I never thought I would be a babysitter, taking responsibility for another helpless little human. I especially never thought I would enjoy it! However playing with her, feeding her, trying to read to her, and a are moment when she wanted to sit on my lap and take selfies with me, all of these I really loved and I never expected I would find joy in them! Babysitting taught me responsibility, patience, and above all I found a love for kids I never knew I had! I still dont want chrildren, but I'll be happy to babysit for a nominal fee!