Comparing the Incomparable?
Friday, July 6th, 2012From Friday Mom – Jaime:
I have a lot of friends who just had babies. Most of them are still in the “um…what do I do with this kid” stage of being a new parent. I see their posts on Facebook or read their emails and smile.
They’re driving themselves crazy reading those emails that tell you developmentally what your kid should be up to. I still get those emails.
I used to read every line of them. I pored over every word of those “what to expect” books. And I used to make myself nuts comparing Andrew to some hypothetical standard that “most” other kids his age should have achieved.
So, here’s what I’ve learned from these books and emails. Exactly what they tell you in the beginning of each of them is true. Each kid is different and just because “some” or “most” kids are doing something at a particular age, doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with your kid if he or she isn’t doing it “right on schedule.”
I have an absolutely wonderful son (when he wants to be my angel baby). He’s caring and thoughtful and sweet…when he wants to be. Andrew is an artist and creative, still inventing his own stories and song lyrics. He dances with enthusiasm, which is half the battle…rhythm is another story 🙂
And for all the wonderful things that I can list here endlessly, he still has trouble pronouncing words that start with “th,” will get up in the middle of the night to try to climb into our bed, and every so often gets so wrapped up in playing that he “forgets” he needs the bathroom, not making it there on time.
I could drive myself nuts about any or all of these things. I could make HIM crazy about this stuff. But I’m convinced that he’ll grow out of this sleeping in my bed thing, that he will get the potty thing perfectly under control and that he will figure out how to pronounce “th” when he’s ready… Because if I’ve learned ANYTHING over the last four years, it’s that when Andrew decides he’s ready to do something, he will do it. And until then…DON’T push him.
Hope you all had a great 4th and have a wonderful weekend. Try to stay cool!