So, while I don't like to brag about it, it's easiest to start off this entry explaining that the offspring seems to have above average intelligence. She is hitting milestones early and has very high comprehension skills for her age. 1337 D4ddy and I aren't exactly slackers in the IQ department so I can't say I'm shocked, but even knowing it's likely doesn't fully prepare a person to raise a gifted child.
I worry about whether I am stimulating the offspring enough to help her reach her potential. We talk and I teach her words every day, we read pretty much every day, and we are already introducing the alphabet and colors into her daily play too. But the world throws lots of early education "opportunities" at parents these days and it keeps me curious. Do I need to get "Your Baby Can Read"? Do I need to buy sign language DVDs? Do I need to make baby lesson books?
Right now my answer is no. The offspring is learning really well without any formal lessons and I don't want to interrupt it. I want her to grow into her brains and talents naturally, without being pushed too hard in any one direction. This isn't to say that I disagree with any parents that do choose baby education. I haven't completely ruled out doing it in the future. But the offspring has so far shown a fondness for learning in her own way and I'm not going to make her change. I want to encourage her imagination, too. After all, she will have years and years of school to teach her, but only five years to stay home and play!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Not So Granola
Recently I came to realize that, on paper, I sound like a bit of a "granola mom". I breastfeed, babywear, co-sleep, and cloth diaper. I still don't see myself as being too granola, though, probably because most of this was completely unplanned.
Breastfeeding was the one thing I chose to begin. However, the offspring is nearly ten months old now, and I honestly believed that by this age I'd be doing more pumping and bottle feeding than nursing. She had other plans. She hates bottles and is very picky about what she'll drink from a sippy cup. We still nurse at least six times a day, often more.
Babywearing was sort of my choice, but like breastfeeding the offspring expanded the scope of my plans. As an infant she never wanted to be set down, so into the sling she went to let me do dishes and laundry. Even now she becomes impatient in a stroller and I've upgraded to a hip sling for traveling.
Cloth diapering came in later, and while I enjoy it now, I thought I'd be happy using Pampers for however many years we took to potty train. I'm not going to get into details about the Dry Max because there has been such a huge controversy on the internet. We did not have a rash, but I was dissatisfied, and the other disposables just didn't measure up to the old Pampers. I'm happy that we're not throwing out gallons of diapers every week, but the environment was hardly my highest priority in the switch.
And last, but certainly not least, we have the co-sleeping. Not only was this unplanned, but I have done everything in my power to avoid it. Unfortunately the offspring has never been a good sleeper and after months of getting four or five hours of sleep at best, I have (mostly) given in. And just let me say that I know why I "shouldn't" be doing this, from safety concerns to toddler discipline. I've read about it, I've heard it, I've lived it, but none of it has been able to change my situation.
So I guess that I have a bit of granola in my life. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that I have a granola baby, since it is her attitude that has led to most of my decisions. But mostly I am just doing what nerds do best: living my life apart from what society expects, and being happy whether they like it or not. I'll do what I need to do!
Breastfeeding was the one thing I chose to begin. However, the offspring is nearly ten months old now, and I honestly believed that by this age I'd be doing more pumping and bottle feeding than nursing. She had other plans. She hates bottles and is very picky about what she'll drink from a sippy cup. We still nurse at least six times a day, often more.
Babywearing was sort of my choice, but like breastfeeding the offspring expanded the scope of my plans. As an infant she never wanted to be set down, so into the sling she went to let me do dishes and laundry. Even now she becomes impatient in a stroller and I've upgraded to a hip sling for traveling.
Cloth diapering came in later, and while I enjoy it now, I thought I'd be happy using Pampers for however many years we took to potty train. I'm not going to get into details about the Dry Max because there has been such a huge controversy on the internet. We did not have a rash, but I was dissatisfied, and the other disposables just didn't measure up to the old Pampers. I'm happy that we're not throwing out gallons of diapers every week, but the environment was hardly my highest priority in the switch.
And last, but certainly not least, we have the co-sleeping. Not only was this unplanned, but I have done everything in my power to avoid it. Unfortunately the offspring has never been a good sleeper and after months of getting four or five hours of sleep at best, I have (mostly) given in. And just let me say that I know why I "shouldn't" be doing this, from safety concerns to toddler discipline. I've read about it, I've heard it, I've lived it, but none of it has been able to change my situation.
So I guess that I have a bit of granola in my life. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that I have a granola baby, since it is her attitude that has led to most of my decisions. But mostly I am just doing what nerds do best: living my life apart from what society expects, and being happy whether they like it or not. I'll do what I need to do!
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