That's the key to life really, if you're willing to read, absorb, and inwardly digest knowledge you really have nothing to fear.

I think I see children the same way some people see dogs- I wouldn't use the word repulse but I guess repell would be an appropriate word, I will actively go out of my way to avoid them and their presence makes me feel very uncomfortable, that's just how I am. No, it's not normal. Maybe it's even 'bizarre' by other peoples standards. But I don't feel any less human for it
As an aside, yes I did used to be a child, but I didn't like other children much back then either!

When I first read the above post I thought, "that's sad"!

However, having read your profile (I like to know some facts before I comment) I noticed you are only eighteen and therefore, you may change your mind about kids. I seem to remember back 20 odd years ago when I was 18, I didn't really have that much time for kids (can't say they repelled me though). By the time I was 27 I was broody as heck! You might find you change your mind later on Who knows - perhaps you won't.

Nobody has to like kids but a certain Poster was being very unkind about children (not you that I remember) and so I had to comment. Of course, if you don't like kids, that's your choice but kids (the right ones) can be like a breath of fresh air. Their innocence can bring out all sorts of emotions

I hope my 'human' comment did not offend you. It was certainly not aimed at you It was just hearing that someone was "repelled" by the kids that she worked with. I found that very uncomfortable and I don't and never will understand that kind of prejudice! Surely, as a professional, if your job involves children, you just get on with it, whether you like them or not!

I think some people don't really understand children and maybe find them a bit scary. They are somewhat unpredictable - like dogs really - that's why I like kids/dogs, they are never boring. No two days are the same

no worries- im not offended, i can just see the other posters point of view i think, though she did put it a bit bluntly. if i had kids i'd feel the same as you no doubt.
though, at the risk of sounding like a know-it-all-teenager, im sure my mind is made up... never mind liking them or not, i should hope ill be too busy saving the rainforest to fit anything else in

Have read this thread with interest, but felt I had to comment as both a mother and grandmother and dog owner.

To be truthful I might have been a bit rude too as one of my sons was viciously attacked whilst playing in the park (in Dagenham) before the DDA came into force and it is not a pleasant sight seeing a large dog go for your son's throat. At least my son was large at the time (having put on a lot of weight with breaking his leg) and managed to turn quickly and the dog viciously bit into his shoulder - 20 stitches needed and I really can see why the woman was rude to you.

Sorry to have to disagree with most of you but having been at the receiving end and no-one knows if the child had already been bitten or frightened by a dog. My son was lucky in that because we have always had dogs then he did not shy away from any dog. I also think that this had an effect on me because I actually go in the other direction if there is a large dog near. I can't help it, even though I owned OES once before the attack.

No, you don't sound like a know-it-all teenager! Some people just don't have a maternal instinct and I think they are right not to go down the parenting route. It can be very hard work (also rewarding when you see your kids growing into decent human beings).

Sounds like you have lots of other exciting things to fill your life and if you're saving the rainforest - you get a big thumbs-up from me

Sorry Esmed for getting off-topic but I think it is good to smooth things out when there have been some bad feelings/misunderstandings. All goes towards making the Forum a happy place Can't be bad can it

Your feelings of fear are absolutely understandable, after such a terrible thing happening to your son

There are always two sides to every story. Of course, Esmed had the right to feel upset by the Parent's attitude, as she was apologetic and the child didn't actually get harmed. Equally though, the Parent was within her rights to be a little annoyed as it is in her nature to protect her young one! It's only natural! We all (us parents) get a bit stroppy when we see our little ones getting upset. I think I may have handled the situation better than the Parent in Esmed's situation. However, I am an animal lover and perhaps this woman wasn't

I do think, provide no real harm was done, that it's rude to be nasty to someone when they have apologised though. Yes the mother was cross, yes the child was upset, but no harm was really done and an apology was genuine and forthcoming. I don't think there was a need to be so nasty back.
Again, easy to say if you haven't ever been involved in this kind of thing before.

Yes, I agree but some people really don't like dogs which you or I will never understand - who couldn't love a doggy Then some people are just plain ignorant and horrid. Don't you ever get the looks when you are out with Woody. You can just tell by some peoples' faces that they aren't dog lovers, from the way they look at your dogs Especially with Chihuahuas - I often hear people referring to them as "rats" which is just so ignorant and rude but I just look at them as if they are something I've stepped in! They are not even worth words. One day, when walking round a shop, my girls came up to me quite upset, apparently some grown man (or should I say imbecile) said to his friend "Who does she think she is f***ing Paris Hilton." Purely because my Daughter was carrying our Tiani, as we'd popped in a shop and obviously wouldn't let her walk around the floor in a shop. Sooooooo rude. Lucky for him, he left the shop before I could find him, or he would have got a mouthful, speaking like that in front of children

Sorry, going off-topic again *Cheeky smacks her own hand*

How rude indeed. I would have slapped his hands!

We're quite rural here so rarely walk him in town. On the rare occasions we have though to try and socialise him you can tell the ones who are not dog lovers yes. As a puppy "everyone" wanted to pet him, but there were always some that would smile out of the side of their mouths when he sniffed them as they walked past, as if to say "hmm, yes, lovely, now get him the hell away from me". Poor Woody, who would not want to be near his little furry, soft, saggy skinned body! Hehe.

Joggers are the worst. We've taught him to not run after them and come back when we call him to us, but if he does get too close for a sniff they look so peed off that they've lost their "flow" because they've had to slow down for a puppy. I bet I'll start another off topic debate now. Ooops.