A Shifting Perspective

Tess gets an insight into her not-too-distant future...

Once upon a time a family gathering would mean the younger generation separating themselves to a place where they could drink and chat about whatever their free-spirited hearts desired and generally avoiding "grown-up" talk.  Somehow, somewhere along the way a shift has occurred.

Last weekend a surprising role-reversal revealed itself as the 'adults' hid away in the peace of the kitchen, in an attempt to avoid the alarmingly mature discussion occurring amongst we young'ns outside.  The scene is thus: (bulging) Wifey and I, wet behind the ears in the world of babies, picking the brains of her cousin and partner, also expecting...for the second time.  No wonder the fun-lovers inside felt smothered!

So all of a sudden, though the idle chit-chat of celebrity news, fine dining and all things merry has not disappeared from the equation, it has now become the property, as once it was, of the elder generation.  Meanwhile, the "kids" were deep in conversation over birthing techniques, the insane amount of mess a baby can make at all hours of the day and night, how a trampoline is about the best investment any parent can make (sure, that's why I already have one...) and (most excitingly) what pram design provides the best combination of manoeuvrability and user-frendliness (totally psyched for the pram - it's basically a racing car for Baby and I'm the driver!).

However, it wasn't only Wifey and I who received invaluable training in what was to come that day.  We also had along with us for the ride our practice child, Tess.  She has been with us for some five years now and has become quite satisfied with her lot in life, not to mention the spoils that life as an only-child presents.  I have been harbouring some concerns for how the introduction of Baby to our household will impact upon Tess (I'm told this is an important consideration to make when a second child is on the way - steps must be taken to ensure that the old accepts the new).  So, Saturday presented a golden opportunity to test her tolerance...  Tess was wary at the outset - first she observed her subject from afar, a little unsure of what to make of it.  Eventually she relaxed, allowing her counterpart to make its approach.  She demonstrated enormous patience as she was first inspected, then stroked, then straddled...and choked!  Well, she handled all that well, though I'm not exactly sure you could say she enjoyed it.  However, moments later her captor discovered the joys of throwing a tennis ball and having a dog chase it and Tess, too, realised she LOVES kids!

But this shifting perspective goes further still, as I realised with a shock while driving the very next day.  My mate (in the passenger seat) was taking in the view as we approached a young lady on her afternoon walk.  His interest was sparked until we passed her and he discovered there was a baby strapped to her front.  However, as he expressed his disappointment, I went from distinct interest in the road in front of me to attempting to spot the exact design of her baby harness in the rear-view mirror and weather it would be suitable for Wifey in time to come.  I think I caught parenthood.