10 Things a baby can get away with.

Ayda Abubakar M. Ali is a performance coach at Zurich International Life, Dubai.

Having a facial at the dinner table A baby can give herself a potato-and-spinach facial at dinner but an adult doing this will be taken off everyone's guest list.

Soaked booties A baby gets kisses and cuddles, even with a soaked diaper and booties. Now let's not even consider the scenario in adulthood!

Drooling A baby who drools will have us reaching for our cameras. Similar behaviour in an adult will have people reaching for the phone.

Throwing a tantrum When a baby throws things at the television it doesn't mean she's in the middle of a battle with her spouse.

Dress sense A baby wearing an orange romper looks adorable. An adult wearing the same looks like an escaped convict.

Down to earth A baby playing with mud is fondly called a future architect. An adult doing the same is called a murderer who is trying to bury a dead body.

Scratching the face A baby clawing at your face is said to be 'active' and 'feisty'. An adult doing the same will have the Domestic Violence squad at his door.

Babbling A baby can go on with its chatter as the elders discuss serious issues like property prices and inflation hikes. If an adult did that, he'd be asked to leave the oom. Stealing hearts A baby can crawl up to a beautiful woman and win her over with a single toothy grin. Do I need to say more?

Excuse me, please A baby can get away with burping, barfing ... Try doing the same as a grown-up and you will find yourself spending many weekends alone.
– As told to Ruqya Khan