You know, I was never left along because of circumstances-- I lived with my mom, grandma, and grandpa, and one of them was just always home (my grandmother was basically agorophobic.)-- but I think I would have been fine. On the other hand, as an only child I was REALLY unprepared for babysitting, although I have to say I prefered the actual babies, who you could cuddle and pretty much just either slept or cried to older children that I would have to try and entertain. No one ever entertained me, so I could never think of anything. I was always just like "Can't you read a book or sit quietly or something?"

So true. . . .BTW, when I was over at the NBC website I got spoiled for hurdles: WE rock too. Another SWEEP! Is track the sport where events are most likely to be swept by one nation? So far, sweeps in the 100m for men and women, the hurdles. Of course the Russians swept the women's singles in Tennis. There were so many gymnastics medals but I can't recall if the Chinese actually swept any of the events.

I started babysitting at 12. Of course it was just down the street from my house and my parents were always home.

The most stressful babysitting situation I was ever in was when the couple I normally babysat for went out with friends who also left their kids with me. So in addition to the 3yr old and 6yr old (and 2 dogs) I normally had there was a 10yr old, a 5yr old (with Downs) and an infant. And an additional dog. That was hard work. I think I was 14 or 15 at that point.

ion, I just realized that I will be visiting my parents during the Democratic convention. That's going to make avoiding the topic of politics difficult. Oy.

Also from the NYT times article:

"Children under age 12 don’t have the cognitive ability to recognize risk and, just as important, don’t have the cognitive maturity to react to the risk or accident once it happens,” said Alan Korn, the group’s director of public policy and general counsel.

Huh. I'll have to tell that to my friend (9? 10?) in fifth grade who covered my wound with tissue and took me to the teacher after a fall from the monkey bars during recess (spoiler font for the squeamish: when I fell during a flip and my teeth went through my bottom lip ) and, when the teacher stupidly asked if I wanted to go to the nurse, insisted I be taken to the hospital for stitches.

I was totally babysitting by age 12. I had a regular gig babysitting a family with 3 boys in my neighborhood around then. And then soon after was babysitting my baby cousins on a regular basis.

Randomish question, would you rather be asked what you want for a birthday present (thus increasing the chances you'll get something you really want or need) or have the person figure it out on their own (potentially getting you something you don't want or need)?

I hate being asked what I want.

Children under age 12 don’t have the cognitive ability to recognize risk

Didn't Mac recently tell the tv that something didn't look safe?

I hate being asked what I want.

Me too. I also hate not knowing what to buy people.

I guess everybody should just be psychic.

ION, cool artwork "Spaceprt of the future" from 1957: [link]

So, is the guy wearing shorts also wearing a space helmet? Also, check out the tail fins of that car - pedestrians beware!

So, is the guy wearing shorts also wearing a space helmet?

I was more worried about how the guy was smoking, with what appear to be oxygen tanks on his back!

I guess everybody should just be psychic.

Totally.

Best O Henry style gift-giving I've ever been involved in: My boyfriend at the time and I basically told each other what we wanted for Xmas/Bday, but we each decided independently that we should also get one more small thing that we really chose. We got each other the exact same "one more small thing." Cute.

My funniest gift story is when I friend and I each bought the other Anne Rice's interview with a vampire-- and we BOTH read it before giving it!