Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man

start and hold a conversation with a six-year-old; the biggest
test of someone’s children skills is whether they can talk to kids
in a way that will keep them engaged and elicit a response. If he
freezes up and acts like he’s on the witness stand—he just can’t
think of anything to say or ask—then chances are his intense
reaction is a sign he’s just not all that good with children. Simi-
larly, if he’s completely defenseless against the powers of the
wicked little kids who are liked by no one but their mother,
then that’s a potential problem, too. The guy who can’t hold his
own in those situations—who can’t use humor or compassion
or square his shoulders in a take-charge way to deflect any at-
tempts by the kids to do damage or harm to him—may have
some issues, too. After all, you want your potential man to be
able to be, well, a man around your kids—someone who can
take charge when the kids act like fools and they need a man to
set them straight. Kids, after all, respect authority.
All of this, of course, will tell you a lot about this guy—
about the kind of father he’d be. If he’s comfortable with the
kids, can entertain as well as give them advice, and give you
solid advice on how to troubleshoot, too, then he’s showing you
the traits of a potentially good father figure for your child. Like-
wise, when he sees you with your children—nurturing them,
feeding them, and keeping all of their needs satisfied, you’re
showing him not only that you’re a good mother to your own
children, but that you’re potential mother material for any chil-
dren he already has, and any babies you two might make
together.