Elizabeth Barrette (ysabetwordsmith) wrote,
Elizabeth Barrette
ysabetwordsmith
  • Mood: busy

Automated Baby Care Is So Wrong

This automated rocking crib creeps me out. Babies need human contact to learn how to be human beings. They can die from lack of touch. I can understand parents' need for relief, but that's what relatives and friends are for. Or do you want children to imprint more on machines than on humans?

O_o Now there is a disturbing idea for a science fiction story: a sentient computer takes over the Earth, and only the old people are bothered by it. The younger generation, raised by machines, feel comforted. Yee eee eee ...
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  • 74 comments
...go 5 levels up... Expand
glitteringlynx

Re: Thoughts

glitteringlynx

February 3 2009, 21:40:41 UTC 12 years ago

I'm a modern woman who has decided I can't help out with kids. In the few times I've been in a role where I'm supposed to watch them, I was paranoid the entire time. I don't know what to do. I have never babysat. NEVER. I honestly would not know what to do if children started acting up, and the only thing I do is treat them the same as I would anyone: tell them to please stop and tell them the reason why and possibly the consequences of their actions. For example, please don't push one another near the stairs, as they could end up falling down the stairs and cracking their head open. Or to please not ride those scooters quickly in and out of aisles in the store because they might not see someone and end up colliding with them.

Sure, it's logic and reasoning, but so far it works. Then again, I treat kids the way I would have wanted to be treated: if you tell me to do something and explain why I should, I'll listen.
haikujaguar

Re: Thoughts

haikujaguar

February 3 2009, 21:49:54 UTC 12 years ago

I'm not sure I follow. You start out by saying you can't deal with kids, and then write something very thoughtful that suggests you do just fine with them.

?
glitteringlynx

Re: Thoughts

glitteringlynx

February 3 2009, 22:05:22 UTC 12 years ago

That's the only thing I know how to do. Don't ask me to feed them or play with them or change a diaper or anything. Or look at my apartment. If I had a child, FACS would take them within a week, I'm sure.
haikujaguar

Re: Thoughts

haikujaguar

February 3 2009, 22:07:07 UTC 12 years ago

You can learn those things pretty quickly.

I think dealing with children is like dealing with the elderly. Everyone should be able to do it in a pinch to help out: we were all kids once, and we'll all be old one day, and it's the least we'd want from the people around us, I imagine. Children and old folks aren't a different species. :)
glitteringlynx

Re: Thoughts

glitteringlynx

February 3 2009, 22:25:39 UTC 12 years ago

I prefer helping out with the old folks. :) I don't know why some people find it so amazing how patient I can be with some elderly, even if they keep asking the same question every few minutes. Well, I can mentally pretend to be in their position, and it's hard when every few minutes you think you're asking for the first time. I mean, you'd get upset too if you asked a question and someone replied a bit hostily and angrily. No sense getting mad or impatient with someone because it's not as though they can do anything about the Alzheimer's (for now).

My favourite part about seniors is talking with them about when they were younger. I love the stories about how they met their loved ones, the jobs they had, the games and clothes they did back then that my generation never knew, etc. It gives you the "human" side of history, the part that feels more real than any textbook could provide.

Maybe one of the things that bugs me about kids is that until they reach a certain age, you can't hold a conversation with them. lol Ah well. We're all different and some of us are better at caring for our elders and some are better helping raise the youth. We can't all do everything, even in a village.
haikujaguar

Re: Thoughts

haikujaguar

February 3 2009, 22:28:44 UTC 12 years ago

Nah, it's unreasonable for everyone to be expected to be good at everything. To pitch in, in a tight spot, that's the only important thing. :)
ysabetwordsmith

Re: Thoughts

ysabetwordsmith

February 3 2009, 22:36:58 UTC 12 years ago

In a pinch, yes. For the long haul, such tasks should go to people who are good at them, and who should be supported in their skills. I'm not much good at caretaking, but I can tell stories and I can listen to people. That helps.

  • Birdfeeding

    Today is mostly sunny, muggy, and warm. I fed the birds. I've seen house finches. I took a few pictures in the yard. EDIT 7/4/21 -- I picked half…

  • Birdfeeding

    Today is sunny and mild. I fed the birds. I've seen house finches and sparrows. I raked the firepit and laid a chimney of sticks in it. We broke up…

  • Photographs

    I took some pictures of my yard today. Read about what makes a good wildlife yard and Fieldhaven as habitat. The larger brush pile is still…