I am going to put the PS first. P.S. I am not angry with anyone, just thinking my thoughts out.
Pushover; softy. Two words used to describe me this week. I am not proud of this attribute, but I am happy with my big heart and understanding of others and their situations or who they are even. I am not perfect at it, but I do try and live by the code "Don't judge a man till you've walked two moons in his moccasins." So when it comes to parenting, I want Juniper to be respectful, to be understanding, to have manors, to not get what she wants all the time, and to understand that you have to do what you don't want to sometimes. But I also don't want her to be pushed around and taken advantage of by others, of course. I guess that is another great reason why it is nice to have two parents. Unfortunately, it is not as easy as picking and choosing their good attributes only. The world would be full of perfect people by now if that were true, and I suppose it could be quite boring, maybe. Actually, I think it could be quite pleasant....but people would have fought over which attributes are the best anyway. Sorry I digress from what I was trying to say.
Raising Juniper. So I have become worse at realizing when I may be being "pushed over" and I know kids are particularly good at manipulation, so I worry. She has started to manipulate me already and already I am telling myself that she is trying to communicate with me, so I should assist her with her needs. And I believe in letting a child explore their curiosity and to let them figure out things on their own; to let them realize natural consequences; and let them make their own decisions. But I am worried that I won't recognize what exactly is happening between her and I; our give and take relationship. I know all mothers, especially with the first, worry more than necessary. And also that kids are a lot of whom they are whether they parents do something or not.
My conclusion: she will stop indulging in the BOOB when she is ready. I am not worried that she will be 8 years old like the girl in the following video. I think she is slowly learning to fall asleep without it (another mummy downfall; her slowness). I do want her to know how to sleep on her own so I don't have The Nanny at my house in 4 years. It is hard sometimes in the middle of the night, but then again I am lucky to be home with my daughter to be able to give her what she wants. I know I/we will raise a respectful child. She will be independent like both her parents. And she can't be too spoiled because there will be another sibling to compete with in the future. I was the first child and grandchild and I was spoiled, but not too much (I think). Plus I am a bit jealous of Juniper. It is so hard to pull her away from nursing when her eyes are rolling back in their socket into sleep and slumber because the taste, feeling, and comfort of the mama's boob is just so wonderful, apparently. I wish I could feel that relaxation and escape too. Lastly, I will rely on daddy to help me out and maybe I can learn too! After I get some guts.
Katie, we are going through the same thing right now, and it is so hard. Eliot loves the boob so much, it breaks my heart to think of taking it away from him. But, damn, I am exhausted! Chad has taken over bed time, so we know that he's capable falling asleep on his own, but we are still struggling with middle of the night wake-ups. Sometimes I really think that he's manipulating me, but then I think he must really need me. Ugh, it's so hard to know.
ReplyDeleteJuniper is beautiful - you're doing a great job with her.
-Jocelyn
You guys are tremendous people with impossible decisions that face you everyday. I admire you! Mothers are amazing and good mothers are a wonder! You, my friend, are a wonder.
ReplyDelete