Sugar rush

Darn, we only had 50 trick-or-treaters last night. Now I have a large amount of leftover chocolate, in opened bags, and I have to find a way to get it out of the house. This was easier in the days when I worked full-time, because my department had this table in the break room where everyone dumped the stuff they didn't want. Halloween candy, Christmas popcorn, opened packages of long underwear: regardless of the item, one could be assured that it would disappear quickly, unless it was truly ugly, like a grapevine-patterned pewter candle holder I "won" at a bridal shower. (The break-room table is one of perhaps four things I miss about working there.)

Leftovers and low turnout aside, Halloween was a lot of fun. D. and I carved pumpkins, decorated the front yard and porch, and handed out candy and glow-in-the-dark vampire fangs (thus far not part of any lead toy recall), which were a HUGE hit with the older kids.

For the second year in a row, Halloween gave me a boost of confidence in my ability to relate to kids. Not just at trick or treating time, but also at parties. This is really a lovely bonus of being childless: Since I'm an adult but not a mother, I can "belong" to any or all children. There's a feeling of parity, and also of flexibility. I'm not too busy or preoccupied for them. Our niece and nephews don't see our childlessness as a drawback. It's a big bonus for them, because it means they get more of our attention.

Without a baby in my arms, I can get down to any level fairly easily, without condescending. Even two 14-year-old girls at Saturday's party were chatty and confiding in me, without rolling their eyes, smirking, or giving each other side glances. Amazing.

D. and I really are fond of children, and we've talked about -- if IVF doesn't work, or later, if it does work -- finding careers or hobbies that allow us to work more with kids. Big Brothers/Big Sisters has a Big Couples program, which might be a good fit for us. And I think I would like to work with adolescent or preteens in some capacity -- teacher, librarian, writer, counselor; I'm not sure. But I'm excited about the possibilities.

Note: This optimism may be due to a surfeit of peanut butter cups.

Comments

[c]

Hey, let me know if you want me to write you guys a rec for the BBBS couples program. You guys would be absolutely perfect for that. There's a huge need, too.

[Bonnie]

I've thought about doing BBBS, too. Good idea. The Christmas popcorn (last year's? Ewww) has already appeared on the break room table this week, in addition to opened candy bars and the like.

[Lauren]

Hi, just wanted to let you know I've sat in my office and read your blog in its entirety over the last couple of days. I stumbled on your blog from SoCo's I believe, and after reading a few of the most recent posts, I decided to start from the beginning. You and D. are just a year older then my husband and I, although you're farther along in the IF journey than we are. We're just short of a year of "trying" and haven't had any luck. We'll be referred to an RE soon. It's comforting to read others' stories. Thanks for sharing.

[jen]

I've always said that you could put a dead mouse on that table and someone would snatch it up. Ridiculous. There is halloween candy a plenty around the office right now.

We only had a few trick-or-treaters (probably about 15), but they were pretty darn adorable.

Am I naive/too hopeful to think that I might be one of the other 3 things you miss about working here? :)

[Bea]

Keep eating the peanut butter cups! Really, this is a great idea. I hadn't really thought about how the "parent" tag changes adults in the eyes of children.

Bea