I think it depends on the children. I was a camp counselor for five years in my youth (5 and 6 year olds) and there were some kids that I wanted to kidnap and raise as my own because they were so sweet, and others that I wanted to dismember and bury behind the tool shed.

I'm betting that you're her FAVORITE in-law! Am I right? ;)

In my experience, children are most appreciate from afar.

I bet you would feel different if you had some of your own, not that I would know. But I think everyone is not as fond of children that aren't there own.

They make child leashes, so why not muzzles? Little Hannibal Lecter masks with ducks or something on them. OMG no stealing my idea. I will be rich!

If he can fart, pick his nose and spit at the same time, I'm sure he will be a famous reality tv star someday.

Better jump on those coattails now.

As a very childish person, I'm outraged by this post.

David, didn't you also inform that same sister-in-law that her daughter was going to grow up to be a prostitute...?

david: how wrong you are! Children are delightful so long as they are not overcooked and the mayonnaise you serve alongside is home-made

I was at a cookout the other day and greeted my friend's two-year-old daughter by saying jokingly, "Hi, Stinky!" (much to K's dismay). I thought I was playing it safe. I mean, don't all kids kinda smell a little?

David: It only depends on the children to the extent that some are smart enough to bamboozle you into believing they are fit for civilization.

Hanuman: I might be. You should see the rest of them.

Flesh von Wintoor: Yeah, a distance measureed in astronomical units.

Ruggerjohnnyd: Goblin is more than enough, thank you.

Licketysplit: I am so stealing your idea. At least, you may want to test your prototypes on my nephews.

Crash: Oh come on now. Reality TV stars can barely do one of those at a time, much less three. I'm grooming him for President, where those skills will be honed and utilized daily.

Hot Toddy: You'd better write a letter to the editor and start a boycott.

Cate: Um, yes. Well, no. I mean, I merely suggested it was an OPTION. Good lord, with the way the Republicans are sending all of the good jobs overseas, prostitution is probably the only growth industry we have left.

Campbell: Good lord, I have never heard of anything so vile. Mayonnaise is disgusting!

Jen: "Stinky" was probably the height of kindness in that situation.

I hope this gets to David, I loved your story on Black Aggie. I work at Druid Ridge as a counselor and Black Aggie is our most famous "person" as well as the most asked about "person". You story was complete. Can I have your permission to print and pass on to people asking about her?

Thanks, Betty

Someone once told me that humans below the age of seven behave exactly as humans above the age of seven with horrible, crippling schizophrenia.

In other words, all children under seven are functionally insane. Which is why they're so time-consuming.

Just a thought.