Unlike Mike Meyer’s character, I didn’t marry one…I suspect I am raising two. OK so that statement is a bit dramatic (just a bit).

I used to think my kids were so sweet and caring. Then we brought home the baby. Don’t get me wrong, they are the best big brother and sister ever…mostly. There’s just this one thing that shows their evil ways.

They like to laugh at the baby when she’s crying!

I’ve seen it happen a few times. The first time, we were driving home. The baby woke up and was hungry. It was time for her bottle and in true baby fashion, she decided she was starving! The cry started small first and quickly grew to the “I’m going to die if you don’t feed me” scream.

Their reaction? Laughter! The harder the baby cried, the harder they laughed. We couldn’t believe it!

The second time, the baby was laying on my bed. The kids were sitting beside her, hugging her, kissing her, and talking to her. Being the sweet kids I know them to be. Sienna started crying. It was a “rescue me” cry, probably because she was tired of having them in her face. Again, they laughed!

The sarcastic side of me immediately thought, “These kids are evil! Surely this is some warning sign, right?!”

In spite of my suspicions, we’ve decided not to have them committed. Instead, we have used these moments to try and teach them empathy. Is this even something that can be taught?

I have asked them to think about the last time they were crying. How would they feel if we laughed at them? Then we talk about the fact that a baby cries to tell us they need something. While her cry may sound funny, or the look on her face may seem funny, it is not a time to just laugh at her. We need to put ourselves in her shoes diaper, and figure out what is wrong so we can help her.

In the meantime, I think I may need to start sleeping with one eye open (OK not really). At least until this empathy thing sticks.