I’m at children’s museum with my daughter and her friend. Millions of kids running around and parents mostly being bored. Sometimes we talk. Inevitably they ask “which one’s yours?” I respond “oh, I don’t have kids I just like to come here to watch the children.”

I’ve learned two things from this practice: 1) The reactions are usually more interesting than the conversation we were having. And 2) parents seem to be a humorless bunch.

Why is it okay to enjoy watching children play if you have one of your own, but totally creepy if you don’t?