Jo Cool Mama

My brother, a father, has never seemed to figure out the key to little kids. He does a great job with them, but I doubt he even knows it. He has a power of intrigue about him that the kids love! He’s a cool guy and the children love him! They always have – when we were younger, and I needed help with a baby-sitting job Paul stepped in and went to work for me. He baby-sat two boys, who were about 8 and 4 years old. They had a blast with Paul! They played and goofed around and even break danced to Michael Jackson! (This is where Paul blew out his knee… All MJ’s fault!) Anyhow, the point is when I returned to my baby-sitting job the boys asked for Paul to come back! But, even way back then Paul was uncomfortable around small children and did not want to return – plus, it was my job and my money! (a little selfish) Now, as a father and an Uncle he has the children in the palm of his hand and has no idea! His daughter is older now and he relates better to her now that she’s 9. My boys were all over him! Though he let them, and I know he enjoyed them, I could see the awkwardness he suffered through. He loves his nephews and it was clear when he played with them – even when Sam (4 years old) was naked!

My brother also has no problems avoiding the subject or flat out lying to the children to get them to do what they need to do. Father’s Day, Scott and Sam, Paul and his daughter (Keirra) went to ride the train in town. Sam loves the trains! He never wants to leave them – NEVER! So, when it was time to go home and Sam said he wasn’t ready, Unca Paul stepped in and said, “We’re just going to the bathroom; you can come back after.” Scott just looked at him and laughed. Then, when Sam was talking about babies and how Jack came out of mommy’s tummy – my brother quickly said, “You know babies come from Sears!” Then, at dinner one night, we were talking about some show on tv and the word “sperm” came up. Paul’s daughter looked over at him and asked, “What’s sperm?” and my brother answered, “Something you buy at Sears.” I wonder if Sears knows how much they have to do with spawning?

Sammy really loves his Unca Paul! Unca Paul is cool with pirate style tattoos and a motorcycle! Although, if you ever met my brother on the street you would never guess him to be a tattoo wearing, motorcycle riding bad-ass. (look at the picture) Sammy was role playing while we were visiting with Unca Paul and he assigned us all titles… I was the “Mommy” Paul was the “Daddy” Jack was the “Baby” and Sammy was the “Uncle.” He had his “cell-a” phone in his pocket, just like his Uncle, and he walked around and acted just like his Uncle. It was really cute! Later, when Unca Paul came over to our house, as soon as Paul walked through the door Sammy was yelling, “Uncle! Uncle! Uncle!”

I love the fact that my children love my brother – who wouldn’t? It’s equally important to me that my brother love my children. Paul goes out of his way to play with them and talk to them and spend time with them. He may not to know what to do with them, but he puts effort into being their Uncle. I just wish he lived closer so he could be around his little fan club more – that includes me!