Little note of appreciation for Bennett

[theatokos]

I feel like Bennett is so patient with me. It's a little weird to be some one's absolute favorite person. When he is amenable to being put down for a while I am so grateful that I get to eat lunch with both hands. He doesn't want toys. He wants me. My hands and eye contact. It's taxing. I don't quite know what to do with him now when we stay home together. I can't quite leave him to do dishes or laundry when he's not napping. But he's not really ready for play or "educational" things. I read out loud to him, usually what I'm reading - poor boy is getting a healthy does of politics and religion! We snuggle a ton and do some play on the floor. And walks. But what else is there to do?

Still, I am honored that me - lazy, self-involved, constantly hungry, insatiable doer, ol' me is his favorite person. I want to do right by him, you know? He is as patient with me as I am with him.

Comments

[mindycl.livejournal.com]

if his head control is good you can put him in a bouncy thing or a bumbo seat and he can sit and watch you do dishes while you talk to him. that's what i do!

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

His head control is fine, he's just a little small for the bouncer yet. He's narrow and he tips to one side. Although we haven't tried it in the last few weeks. I think it's time to pull it out for another try!

[ladyartemisa.livejournal.com]

put a towel on the sides, thats what we did with kate. :p

yes i know i am a bad mother, so sue me.

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

How is that a bad mommy? Mamas have to be creative!

[bloodfever.livejournal.com]

I second this. Blankets or towels to prop them up a little work wonders.

It's what we did when Elliott first started in his exersaucer. He got used to holding himself in that position really quickly, we only needed to do it a couple of times.

[keypike.livejournal.com]

I feel like I'm always struggling for things to do with Henry.

One of his favourite things lately is mirror-play. I hold him in front of a big mirror and go close and say "Near" and the take a few steps back and say "Far". I swear he could do this over and over and never get bored.

We also have a rocker chair thing (not a bouncer, but same idea), and he's in that when I'm cooking, or doing other chores.

I think we have to remember that while something might seem boring or repetitive to us, babies don't get tired of repitition like we do (at least that's what I tell myself after I've wiggled the same rattle for Henry for the 658,987,986,464th time).

[bloodfever.livejournal.com]

Entertaining a baby is EXHAUSTING and, frankly, boring. Although I'm sure someone will take me to task for saying so.

Elliott loves his swing & exersaucer (if I'm also talking to him), hates tummy time and lying down (so no gym *sigh*), and pretty much is like Benn where he needs to be in some kind of contact (physical or eye contact) CONSTANTLY. I can't walk away, either, it's not enough to hear my voice - he has to be able to see me. I've tried rattles and things, but he isn't interested.

I don't think there is really anything else you can do until Benn starts really playing.

We sleep snuggled together during the day and he gets exersaucer or swing time when he is awake - I get maybe a 3 minute window when he is happy enough on his own that I can run and put a load of washing on or something but that's really it. I have to literally talk with my mouth full otherwise I'd never get to eat lunch!!

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

Being with a baby all day is quite boring. I loved yesterday, changing my attitude and priorities really helped. But if that was my all day every day I would go bonkers. I find it isolating after too many days in a row. Where's MY eye contact and conversation and physical touch??