So as I sit on the soft, comfy living room sofa, petting the cat, watching the midday news and typing on my blog, Anthony is exiled to the kitchen, where he sits in his carseat on a somewhat dirty tile floor, listening not to enriching classical music but to the white noise of the microwave fan (our one tried-and-true sure-fire calmer, thank you Ben and Amanda for the tip).
The question occurs to me, does it make me a bad mother that I just leave my poor child in the kitchen to be serenaded by an appliance because after a morning of profound fussiness, this is what has finally made him pipe down and go to sleep for a little bit?
In my defense:
I had already gone through the feed him/change him routine to make sure nothing was wrong...
The kitchen is only 12 feet away, thank goodness for tiny Miami condos...
I did sit on the kitchen floor for half an hour, rocking said carseat until Anthony nodded off...
I do go in regularly to check on the young man...
...and, Anthony seems content with the arrangement for the moment (see photo above).
I'm coming down on the side of, "you've gotta do what you've gotta do" on this one, and telling myself that the fact that Anthony is presently sleeping soundly means he doesn't really mind that he's been relegated to kitchen duty.
In fact, maybe I'll move the crib down there...
8 comments:
No you are not a bad mother. You have to have some time to breathe. And even if he didn't settle down it doesn't hurt him to cry some. Not fun to listen to but you learn to cope. You can only do what you can do. If white noise does it, great! Whatever floats his boat. Not the first kid to sleep in the kitchen or a car seat. And separate rooms are good. In fact it's a must eventually. Even now. Good for both of you. Yes. Babies need lots of love and attention but they don't have to be coddled every moment. He won't get a complex. He will be fine. You will be fine. Oh, look how sweet he looks. Love you all. Shirley
Now you just need to get him to fix the sink and make dinner while he's out there.
Since we're allowing the swing to raise our child, I'm thinking of finding a way to let it pay for college, too.
UM - this blog is providing this mom too many HOURS of entertainment. I am checking this blog WAY too often - which may mean "I" am neglecting "MY" baby and two other children! :) Kelly - you need to write a book! You are super creative and a great writer! Brandon - I am laughing out loud at your comment, but if you do figure out a way to get him to cook, let me know! Yesterday, Chris and family were visiting and I showed them my latest obsession (i.e. your blog). They were laughing outloud too. I think they actually voted on the gas/smile thingy:) Who said entertainment can't be cheap......
A parenting tip:Repeat 3 times.The end justifies the means.He's sleeping and that's good.
Well, you know how people always take babies for car rides to get them to sleep, you just found the better solution by lulling Anthony to sleep in his car seat in the kitchen! So, not only are you a smart, good mother, you are a thrifty one, as you are saving money by not using gas for a car ride! He looks very happy in dreamland in the photo. And you deserve some blissful couch time for yourself! P.S. We don't know what's wrong with your sink, but Grandpa Harry and Anthony will work together on it when we visit in September, if it's still having problems....
What a great blog! I agree, Kelly. You should write a book! You're doing great!!
We think it's a great idea. Tessa is 9 months old and she still enjoys the sound of a bathroom exhaust fan. Whatever gets them to sleep is a good thing. Getting him to sleep in a car seat will prepare him for those long family vacations. Oh wait, you guys already live close to Disney World.
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