I don't remember teasing Sister when we were kids. Perhaps it's because our age gap is so great, ten years. Little Jo is her mother reincarnated and while I do try not to do it too much, I do tease her. Actually at times I do tease Sister now, and like her daughter, she always bites.
The thing is that Little Jo is so pedantic, and while she is incredibly smart, she doesn't get humour terribly well.
Maybe it is more a dad joke problem.
I did once make her laugh when I sang Humpty Dumpty and slowly pushed an Easter Egg off the bench when Humpty had a big fall. Of course the egg smashed within the foil. Sister said, see Andrew can be funny at times.
Little Jo, did you see Nanny in Packing Ham.
Andrew, Nanny lives in Pakenham.
There used to be a factory there where ham was packed. Isn't it called Packing Ham?
This is a post going nowhere because Little Jo immediately tuned back the 'screen' and ignored her silly old uncle.
It is interesting to note though, while she is completely tuned out to conversation when she is absorbed by screens, she does hear anything relevant to herself.
"Little pitchers have big ears"
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the time will come when you have to watch what you say when she's around?
Cathy, I was one such child. Look out, big ears is here, I heard often enough. Since the age of five or even earlier, we had to be careful what was said in front of her. We found out some interesting information about her parents, and who are her Geelong cousins? Some of her biological father's family?
DeleteIt's good being a uncle or aunt all fun no responsibility, and you can be as silly as you like it's the job that goes with the name.
ReplyDeleteMerle...............
Merle, R is the one who entertains her the most and they have great fun together. I am the one who fixes and arranges things and get called on when the tech stuff goes wrong.
DeleteCommunication in families is complicated. There are so many layers and nuances. I think it takes time for kids to learn our sense of humour. my son hates my sense of humour and hates being stirred up/teased ~ but I reckon that is what families are all about. I use silliness to relieve the tension at times ~ and he has worked out how to join in now. Remember, you are teaching her about the place of humour in life. She will be taking it all in ..
ReplyDeleteI will be seeing my nieces for the first time in 7 years this week when I go to Brisbane. Obviously they will have all grown, but I realised the thing I have missed are the cuddles.
Carol, yes silliness can be a good tool. As a kid I remember telling people to stop if they tried to cuddle me or be mucking around and rough, but I did enjoy it. We were never a cuddly family and I have had to learn to be so in this day and age.
DeleteSeven years? Auntie might still get a cuddle. Have fun down there.
I find it rather sad when kids are too literate don't 'get' humor. My oldest two grand kids were funny themselves and often told jokes better than our own. They 'got' everything.
ReplyDeleteRiver, you are making me think is Little Jo too literate. I am really not sure. A problem I see is that she is smart and she knows she is smart.
DeleteNo, probably not at all too literate, after all she does have great fun with R, so she clearly understands jokes and stuff. She probably just doesn't get your style of humor yet, or doesn't realise it is funny.
DeleteYep River. You are right. Fortunately my blog mates do get my sense of humour........or do they.
DeleteYou have me smiling :)
ReplyDeleteMy husband teased (once) our eldest grandchild (9) and she couldn't take it, got in a huff actually!
Margaret, that was so much my sister's and step father's relationship. He would needle her or she him. Neither won and they were both unsatisfied and huffy with each other. Sister could be described as a greenie and step father as plant a greenie, head first.
DeleteI bet she has her own brand of silly, you just have to find it. =)
ReplyDeleteYeah Jac, I am sure she does. While I don't see her day to day, I expect she does have humour with her friends. I hope so. I am a bit afraid for her future actually.
Deleteaha! Jac said what I was trying to say.
DeleteI loved my aunts and uncles when I was young. They all lived within walking distance of the house, so when mum and dad were being silly, I just walked next door or down the road. Your niece is one lucky child.
ReplyDeleteHels, so nice that you had a nearby refuge. Yes, Little Jo will never want for anything in her life. That is great, but problematic to me. Different times. Most children don't lack for anything now, even those with the poorest parents.
DeleteI wouldn't worry Andrew I bet Little Joe has a fine sense of humour brewing there, you just keep doing what you're doing and anytime soon she'll 'get it' :) she's still young and you ARE pretty funny, you make me laugh all the time :)
ReplyDelete