Babywise, Edition #3

So, I have written 2 previous posts regarding Babywise and I think I have shown in some of the things I talked about how much I believe in it.

However, I will say there is one big problem I have....not with the Babywise books, but more with myself than anything.

I love all the principals in the book and agree with about 95% of them. The problem I have is this - every single day I think to myself "Am I doing enough? Has Xander had his playtime, his nap time, his learning time? Did I practice the sign language enough during high chair time? Do I need to discourage him from pulling on my hair while nursing? Do I need to play with him more or less? Is he feeling lonely or smothered? Is he developing fast enough? Do I need to do more learning activities or let him have more free play time? Is it a cop out to put him in the swing? What if I can't put him down for a nap the exact time every day? How am I supposed to get all my shopping done in an hour to get him home in time for a nap? Should I try to force him to be on his tummy more to get him to crawl?" And on and on and on it goes.

In a way I feel like Babywise almost puts too many ideas and rules into your head and I almost feel like a failure if I can't follow them all or don't execute everything perfectly every day. I know I am a smart person and can use my common sense, but I still worry sometimes. I think that is also the curse of a stay-at-home mom. I have all day to think about this kind of thing. I know if I was at work all day, the 'rules' of Babywise would be one of the last things on my mind. I would mostly just care if my kid cried all day while at daycare or about if I can get the laundry and dishes done that night.

I don't worry as much as I am making it sound like, but all of those thoughts and more do cross my mind most days. I know that you can't get everything you want to get done in a day done every day. If I could, I would be super woman! I just hope every day I am doing enough to make sure my kid knows I love him and I hope he is getting enough structure, learning opportunities and playtime. Nothing in life is perfect and I don't think there is such a thing as using Babywise perfectly. I think everyone will interpret it different and apply it different to their child and life and I think that is the way it should be.