Yay for big orange kitties! Good times.

Sometimes I think that kids just aren't worth the trouble. Then I realize that if everyone were like me, the human race would have died out way back in caveperson days....

Once they get to a certain age, sure.

Under 10? Good luck.

I see people on flights managing kids just fine. And I traveled a lot with my parents, who basically did their thing, including my father, who took long breaks at the back of plane to smoke. And we also did plenty of long car trips at all ages. I'm not saying its always like that, I just feel sorry for people that think that's impossible.

Sometimes I think that kids just aren't worth the trouble.

It's effortful. But probably 7 out of the top 10 instances of pure joy I've felt in my life are all parenting related.

This guy just came into the office for a meeting, and since the reception area is under construction he didn't know where to go. So I came out to great him and he sounded exactly like Jon Lovitz.

He even looked a little like him. The only thing that was weird was that he didn't start muttering "tartlets, tartlets" or "yeah, that's right" or "It stinks!"

I just think there's a distance between "managing just fine" and "big stack of magazines." Before a kid can read to themselves, they need a fair amount of entertainment -- and even after they can read to themselves, they may not want to for hours on end.

I could probably read magazines on a plane with a 4-5 year old, at least, the one I have. The last time I was on a plane, though, I had my VERY EXCITED ABOUT PLANES 18 month old in my lap. That was exhausting.

Are more parents flying with kids bringing portable DVD players now? I'd think that'd be pretty good at occupying them.

With most kids that I know, who, granted, are the under 5 set, it *is* impossible.

Hell, I have a hard time keeping my child occupied for the amount of time it takes to eat a meal out. A flight's out of the question. And on road trips, very little gets done (not that we've taken one since she got out of diapers--wow, having to stop for potty breaks is going to suck) in terms of zoning or reading, because I can't get into Deep Thought or Reading mode with external distractions who want crackers or a story.

I just think there's a distance between "managing just fine" and "big stack of magazines." Before a kid can read to themselves, they need a fair amount of entertainment -- and even after they can read to themselves, they may not want to for hours on end.

Yep. This.

Are more parents flying with kids bringing portable DVD players now? I'd think that'd be pretty good at occupying them.

I wish.

I see people on flights managing kids just fine. And I traveled a lot with my parents, who basically did their thing, including my father, who took long breaks at the back of plane to smoke. And we also did plenty of long car trips at all ages. I'm not saying its always like that, I just feel sorry for people that think that's impossible.

Obviously, some of it is going to depend on the kid, and the age. But younger kids are generally not self-entertaining.

But let me not speak in generalities as that way lies insupportable categorical statements. My kids are not self entertaining. I can't hand them a book or a coloring book and expect them to be good for an hour.

But let me not speak in generalities as that way lies insupportable categorical statements. My kids are not self entertaining. I can't hand them a book or a coloring book and expect them to be good for an hour.

I will state that I was self-entertaining, except for the part where I was trapped in a car for hours with my irritating little brother, so irritations would escalate into screaming and hitting matches and then parental intervention was required. But other than THAT, I was fine with a book.

There are reasons Lillian is an only child.