3/29/14

Don't be in a big hurry for all of the firsts in your kids’ lives.  Enjoy whatever moment you are in…"Sake" was the center of our world when she was born. Our lives were dictated by her needs to eat, sleep and have her diapers changed. Have I mentioned that I do not like getting up in the middle of the night? As a result, I was particularly anxious for her to start sleeping through the night. So you would think that the first time it happened I would awaken pleasantly surprised and refreshed from a full night of sleep, right? Nope. I woke up in the middle of the night in a panic and sure something was wrong. In fact, I got up multiple times to check her.
 
This was followed by a host of other exciting firsts that weren't all that they were cracked up to be. Rolling over - which also means they can roll off places, crawling - which equals mobility, teeth -which means biting and crying, food - which is messy on the way in and smelly on the way out, walking - which means more mobility, and of course talking and potty training.  It is all very exciting when it first happens but then reality and consequences come.
 
It was nice to be able to put "Sake" in one place and know she was safe and staying put. When mobility starts, you have to reassess the safety of your home. I have been to homes with children that look like padded rooms.  Everything is covered and padded; only toys are in reach, shelves are empty, and everything seems to be nailed down. Now, I am all for safety. We covered outlets, and hid cords under furniture, some things like that. I saw no sense in teaching her that she controlled the house. I put something special up high because accidents happen and things get broken (well into early adulthood). I think there is a line between safety and excessive safety. It seems to be that it is important to start teaching children at an early age that there are boundaries and what they are. Believe me; they are capable of understanding that at a young age. 
 
Enjoy each stage that your child is in. Don't be in a hurry to move on to the next. Be a parent. Set boundaries. Incorporate them into your lives and don't allow them to control yours.