My mom is angry at me because I am uncomfortable around children?

May 2021 3 30 Report

My mom is angry at me because I am uncomfortable around children?

I have two nephews. They are both two years old, I am 16. Ever since I got into my preteen years, I have been very uncomfortable around little kids. It's not that I don't like them, but I am just quite uncomfortable around them. I like my nephews. I smile at them and hug them sometimes, but I do not play with them or talk in a baby voice like my mom does because I feel extraordinarily uncomfortable doing that. My mom is very angry. She says little kids can't help who they are (same thing I said when she expressed her discomfort of people with social disorders) and accuses me of child hatred. I don't hate children. I just don't understand them, and on a level, I'm a bit scared of them. I don't know why, I just am. How can I tell my parents this? I am so tired of them treating me like I'm some awful person just because I don't get into kids, even though I am very kind and considerate of people who are actually old enough to appreciate it. What do I do??

Family & Relationships / Family

DrDixonCider

i kinda know what you mean.. usually i'm uncomfortable around young children too.. bad news, it doesn't get easier unless you make the effort. good news - little kids are pretty easy to get along with and easy to entertain.

I'm 17 and fortunately i'm not uncomfortable with my only niece, who is also 2 years old but i do find it's less uncomfortable to play with her when adults aren't really watching. I'm sure your mom is only looking for some sign that you really do like your nephews. You don't have to talk to them in a baby voice, trust me i hate that and i think it's ridiculous, i just talk to my niece in a nice kid friendly way.

I'm sure your mom would be happy if you find something to do with them even if its for a short while and i bet your nephews would love it too :) but you don't have to do anything that makes you feel super weird or stupid . Like i said kids this young are very easily entertained so even just making a small effort is enough. You could try just throwing a ball around with them and they don't talk a whole lot so saying little things like "wow good job!" or "look its over there, go get it" is enough. You can draw/paint with them too, little kids love that(and complimenting them on their work is always nice). Or even just sit with them to watch a cartoon with them, its not like you have to be super into to the show or anything you could just sit and play on your phone and just make little comments when they seem excited about something or want your attention. And since kids get distracted easily usually after a short while they'll just run off to do something else.

These are a few things i do with my niece when i don't really feel like playing but still want to spend time with her. :P

I know it's hard to deal with these kind of things when you feel the way you do and don't know why.. but you should try to make the effort, even if it's a small effort, because after all they are your family not just some random kids. And besides, part of getting older is making sacrifices and doing things that are sometimes out of your comfort zone to make others happy and generally just keep the peace. I'm sure it'll be worth the effort.