Once upon a time, I was a regular contributor to a parenting magazine. I wrote articles about nutrition, health, summer camp, the likelihood of having twins, the cost of having a baby, and other topics. I glommed ideas off my stepson. He wouldn't eat vegetables? It became an article. He was color-blind? Another article.
When I interviewed parents and childcare experts, I did not tell them I had never had children. I let them assume that I was a mom, that Michael was my kid. At the time, I was immersed in the day-to-day challenges of life with an adolescent. I did the doctor runs, got the calls from the school, baked cookies for the Boy Scout troop. Didn't that count?
I got busted a few times when people asked about my experiences with pregnancy, childbirth, and infant care. I had no such experiences. My parenting life began when Michael was almost 12, and it was only part-time. Then I would have to confess that I didn't actually have any children of my own. But most of the time it was easier to pretend.
How about you? Have you ever lied about being a parent? Pretended your stepchild, niece or nephew or another kid was your own?
3 comments:
I had stepkids before I had my girls, and I think that is being a parent too, YES that counts. I love your blog. It takes a village to raise a child
Yes, but not big lie. I am an aunt of four of my sisters kids. Whenever they are with me and someone comments, oh they look just like you (and they do) I sometimes say oh thanks and go along with it. Mostly because it is nice to be a mom for a moment. I was the older sister and was supposed to have kids first. That did not happen because of bad (mate) decisions I made or other adventures in life to be had. I pray there is still time at my age of 36 and newly married.
Last summer some friends from my student days celebrated their 40th birthday and invited all the old friends to a big party. There were over 30 (!!) children present, most of them still small. I met again with an a guy who had been a friend, even a flatmate when we were students, and i was very happy to see him again. I hadn't seen much of him in the meantime... he had gotten married with three kids by now but for some reason the wife and two kids stayed at home. He only brought his youngest little boy to the party. Since I spent a long time talking to him, a lot of the other party guests thought i was his wife and the boy our son. I had to correct two or three people who said something like that. It didn't really feel good. Like something borrowed and untrue...
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