Kids are funny!

Kids are funny, there is no doubt about that. As professional nannies we are often privy to some of their funniest moments. It’s a good idea to keep a journal  or even a notebook to write down some of the funny things kids say so that you can share it with the parents. We always think we will never forget these funny stories but somehow over time we do.

Kids are funny without even trying because through their eyes the world really is black and white. I asked some of our readers to share with me some of their favorite kid stories.

(Disclaimer: I am simply sharing these stories with you as they were told to me. We have not used last names nor have we used childrens names. Even though children can sometimes be politically incorrect, we have no intention of offending or being politically incorrect when we share these stories)

Nanny Brenda in Colorado tells us about this incident that happened with one of her first nanny jobs. I had a 4 yr old and we were in the car, she was in her car seat and I was driving. I had to back up and I put my arm on the back of the passenger seat as I turned around.. she asked me:
“Brenda, why is your arm muscle on the bottom instead of the top?”

I had to explain that it wasn’t muscle. I can laugh at that now but at the time… not so much. Kids are so innocent. I know she meant no harm.

Children simply get caught up in the moment and whatever they think is what they say.

My friend Cindy, a former nanny, now a mommy of 3 little girls, relayed the story of the time that she and I had taken our charges to the McDonalds on the St. Louis Riverfront down by the Arch. We were walking back to the car and as we walked to the car, a little person was walking toward us. Cindy bit her lip praying that none of the children would say anything embarrassing. After we were  passed the little person, Cindy pulled the twins aside and explained to that everyone was made differently and that man was no different than anyone he was just smaller. Her 4 year old charge replied in a very relieved voice” But Cindy……I thought it was an alien”

Nanny Christy tells another story about how when her charge was 6 he told her there was a girl in the other first grade class that only had one eye.Then he quickly said “but it’s not in the middle of her forehead or anything.” Whew! She’s not a cyclops!

For children, “life is lived in the moment” take for example what Nanny Beth in NYC told us about a 4 year old she once cared for.

We were at the beach when C then age 4 said ” I’m having so much fun I’ll remember this when I’m dead!” (C is now a recent graduate from Duke)

Nanny Angela tells this story that just happened last week: Her nanny friend  Patyn shared that her  4 yr old charge emphatically announced to her that  Phillip (who is Patyn’s fiance’)  is strong. Strong like Jesus!
Angela said that after she finished cracking up, she asked if she could share it on Regarding Nannies )

Often times the funniest moments are when our words come back to haunt us

Nanny Cortney tells this story about the time when her 4 year old charge was playing quietly in his room. Perhaps a little too quietly, so I called out to him “T, what are you doing up there?”. His response was “don’t worry Cort, I’m just playin’ with my ‘magination

Children in their innocence love to make observations about their bodies.

Nanny Cortney tells this story about her 2 year old niece who shared  that her bottom was busted. Cortney said “We were concerned that someone spanked her. “ When asked to explain, she said “it’s busted ’cause there’s a crack in it”. Cortny says that her niece is pretty funny and will tell you “my am hilarious”

S  has me laughing on a regular basis, but I am certain I’ll always remember when she said that something sour/tart had sparkles on it. Since then, anything that is tart or sour has sparkles.

Children are always listening, always trying to figure things out.
Nanny Amanda tells the story about when she was with 5 yr old twins (B/G). We had watched Maggie and the Ferocious Beast and they had been searching for the huge mushroom. They talked about it being a fungi. Well later that week we saw a mushroom at the park. B looked at it, looked at me and said “That doesn’t look like a “fun guy”, it doesn’t do anything!” I had to explain that a fungi is a plant and he was a fun guy!

Children are curious:

Nanny Nancy in Coloroda  tells this story of the warm March day when she was playing with her 2 year old charge in the sand box next to the back fence. We kept hearing funny sounds coming from the neighbors and then water splashing. I peeked over the fence and saw the neighbor swimming. Two year old Matthew said “I want to see”. So I held him up and told him to quietly look. He very loudly yelled “Nancy that man is Naaaked! I was caught and embarrassed.

Children are always looking for new ways to practice what they have learned:

Nanny April in Michigan shared this story:We have been working on zippers and buttons at the house I work at. N who is 2 has been trying to zip up everything he can. I was standing at the counter making lunch when he walked over and asked “April can I unzip your pants”

And of course this post would not be complete without some innocent body parts humor.

Nanny Carli said that not too long ago, she took her 6 year old charge to a local farm. His whole life is Star Wars and fighting right now. While we were at the farm there was a rare opportunity to pet a horse at the fence. I’m petting the horse, and I look over and F is crouched down, eye level with the horses’ penis.
F: Whats that?
Me: That’s the horses’ penis. …………………………a few moments of silence. Then I said are you going to come pet the horse or not?
Him, with an odd touch of wonder in his voice: But it looks just like a sword…..

Sometimes their funny stories stick with us for life

Nanny Christy in Colorado tells us the story about they day her 3 year old charge he ran up to her with no pants on and said “Nana can you go get me some pants so everybody don’t see my pirates!” Christy says “From that day on as far as I’m concerned privates are pirates.”

Nanny Beth tells the story about H, the 7 year old she currently cares for: We were on the bus when he was 4. A lady commented on what a beautiful little girl he was with his long curly blonde hair. He looked her straight in the eye and said “I’m not a girl, I am a boy. I have a penis and I can prove it! “

At the end of the day one of the most important things that we can teach the children in our lives is the importance of a sense of humor. A sense of humor and the ability to laugh at ourselves, will get us through a lot of lifes’ difficult moments.

If you have a funny story that you would like to share with us in a future Kids are Funny article send it to us at Regardingnannies(at)gmail(dot)com.