I’m pretty rigid in my parenting. Rigid, but flexible at the same time, if that’s possible. We keep a schedule, have certain no-giving-in rules (No standing on the furniture!), and basically follow a Babywise philosophy. That said, flexibility and knowing what works for a particular child & circumstance are key ingredients for me in parenting.
Even though we are pretty rigid on some things, we are more lax on others… i.e. still using a pacifer at naps and in the morning in bed. NOTE: I’m so ready to be done with this little addiction. After our camping trip at the end of the month where I know we’re going to want her to have it for our (and the other campers’) sake, we will begin The Final Weaning Process off the paci. Also, because it has been so record-breaking hot here, and Chiquita gets the morning sun beating on her window, we’ve been bringing her a sippy of water in the morning because she’s been waking up early, upset & thirsty. Usually she’ll drink a little, take her paci that we bring her in the morning (to buy me a little more time for getting ready, Quiet Time, etc.) and go back to sleep. We’re hoping this morning drink doesn’t become another addiction…
she's supposed to be napping here!
I just wanted to share that it’s a good idea to have some flexibility when the norm isn’t working for whatever reason. Here’s my best example: when Chiquita had her fussy moments as a baby, she always calmed down with some light, jazzy piano music. Her favorite was Norah Jones. I even bought another one of her CDs back then so we could have some variety.
our personal baby whisperer!
Now that she’s older, she’s usually a great napper. But occasionally, be it due to teething or a catnap in the car earlier in the day, or whatever, sometimes she really fights going to sleep- I’m talking about hysterics. These occasions are now fewer and far between. But it’s nice knowing that if I get desperate, I can turn to our trusted baby whisperer, Norah. I have an iPod dock in Chiquita’s room for times like these, among others. I slip the iPod in there, let her cry it out while Norah croons, and usually she’s conked out before I know it. I almost had to bust out Norah today… but alas, my good little girl finally calmed herself down and dozed off. So who knows, maybe she’s outgrowing this phase. But if not, I’m ready, iPod in hand.
**UPDATE: Chiquita woke up after about an hour. I gave her a little water (she was sweaty from napping in the heat), gave her back her paci & blankie, eventually put Norah on and… nothing worked. Don’t you just love the irony here? Classic parenting. Just when you think you’ve got something down, a secret weapon in your pocket say, it fails you miserably. So much for today’s to-do list.
Do you have any parenting hacks for flexibility or Secret Parenting Weapons to share?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
What my cousin did was cut the tips off the pacifiers and her son didn’t want to suck on it and that’s how they ended it (although there might be a choking hazard?) I don’t have any personal advice, cause we didn’t use them. It would probably be okay if the water cup became a habit – at one point we would leave a sippy cup in the corner of the crib so he could get some water in the morning – as long as it’s just water I don’t see any harm. (except when the stopper came out and he would shake it upside down and get everything wet!:)) And I think you’re doing a great job! You’re a wonderful mom! Don’t stress or rush anything that’s not causing problems. She is just 14 months. That’s my two cents
Chet Baker is what does the trick for Drayden. He loves music that has piano in it. The Babywise method was recommended to me by my Mom’s boss. I originally didn’t think a schedule would work for Drayden and didn’t want to be a slave to a schedule myself, but Drayden evolved into a very scheduled oriented baby. If I don’t stick to the schedule, it’s bad news for everybody. It’s funny how babies will figure out exactly what they need. Drayden isn’t that kind of baby who can be comforted if I walk back into the room or try to soothe him back to sleep. He will literally cry hysterically if I come back into the room. Variations to the Babywise method are what worked for me. Drayden took a pacifier begrudgingly for the first three months and then completely refused to take a pacifier or bottle about three months ago. Sorry I’m no help to you on that one but don’t despair. I think I’m going to have a hard time with Drayden and the night time comfort nursing. It would have been nice if he did take a pacifier to help with that situation. Well, I’ll sleep one day when my kids are grown up. hahah!