What If They Were Competent?

by Mr. Chaos

The Stipulation: One chapter a day. 500 words or less. Every episode of Rugrats. The Challenge: What if the adults on Rugrats were actually good parents? Watched their kids? Thought ahead? DIDN'T think it was fine for babies to nearly die every 5 days? Tommy is about to have a very different life with Stu and Didi actually using their brains.

164. Baby Maybe

Baby Maybe

"Now don't worry," Didi said, "Lou will be around to help if you need him. He knows how to deal with Tommy if he gets fussy."

Elaine smiled. "Thanks… and thanks for talking us out of watching ALL of them." She let out a laugh. "We had to be crazy to think that was a good idea!"

"It happens," Didi assured her. "Sometimes even I forget how much of a handful even one baby is, let alone all of them AND Angelica. No… you'll be fine with Tommy." The doorbell rang and Didi smiled. "Oh, that must be Chas to pick up Chuckie."

Tommy, who was in his playpen with Chuckie, frowned. "I wonder why Uncle Ben and Aunt Elaine are here?"

"My daddy said we had to go early because they are practicing."

"Practicing what?" Tommy said, confused.

"I don't know. Something about babies and kids."

Tommy considered everything before an idea popped in his head. "Oh! I know! I don't think they are practicing… I think they want ME to practice!"

"You? And practice what?"

"Being a big kid!" Tommy declared, throwing his arms out in the air. "Uncle Ben and Aunt Elaine last saw me when I was just a baby… but now that I'm gonna be a big kid I have to prove I'm not a baby! They are goinna think I'm just a baby that can't feed myself or play games or anything like that! So I have to practice being a big boy with them so THEY see I'm a big boy!"

"And how will you do that, Tommy?" Chuckie asked.

"Well… by not acting like a baby," Tommy reasoned as Chas came and picked Chuckie up.

~MC~MC~MC~

"Ready for a story, Tommy?" Elaine said and Tommy nodded, though she was a bit surprised when he insisted on turning the pages himself.

~MC~MC~MC~

"What's wrong?" Ben asked as Tommy tugged on his leg before he gestured at his saggy bottom. He remembered how Chuckie would get an adult's attention when he needed to use the potty. "Oh, need a diaper change?" He lifted Tommy up. "I'm surprised you didn't cry…"

Tommy just beamed.

~MC~MC~MC~

"Such a good clean eater!" Elaine praised as Tommy, with utter care, moved the spoon towards his mouth and swallowed the yummy carrots.

~MC~MC~MC~

"How did it go?" Didi asked at the end of the day.

"Good and bad," Elaine admitted.

"What do you mean? Did Tommy misbehave?"

"Oh no… the opposite. I don't think Tommy was good for us figuring out if we wanted a baby… he's much too grown up!"

Tommy, from where he was cradled in his mother's arms, beamed at his success.