Experience of the ages

07-02-07_1053
Originally uploaded by waycool27.

Children are a joy - it's true. What type of joy? Well various types I guess. Based on my experience so far, here's what to expect from them at various stages in their lives - but only up to 3+ as we have no direct knowledge of anything beyond that.

0 - 12 months - noisy, loud, un-cooperative, unreasonable - but cute when quiet in a gentle and peaceful sort of way.

12-24 months - noisy, un-cooperative, violent and demanding - but fun to watch when they learn to walk and toddle around.

24-36 months - slightly more co-operative and able to reason with (either with food, sweets, ice-cream or bicycle rides). Most cute and cuddly at this point - but only if they let you hold them - which is probably only for less than a minute before they struggle to get down and run around again.

36-48 months - curious, always asking why, why, why? And gets on nerves. Building up their own character causing conflicts and arguments. Not so "cute" any more but interesting to watch how they reason things out and come to certain decisions.

When the 3 of them (including Gabriel) go out, most people will look at Shannon or Gabriel and say "Cute! Cute!". Nigel had his day. He's more of a "handsome boy!" these days, but Shannon typically gets the "cute" label now. It will soon pass though - so she has to enjoy the cuteness while it lasts.