Many apologies, but I need to VENT!  Feel free to skip
this...it has happened again!

Yesterday, I met with a mother's group at a park.  One
of the moms I hadn't met before had her baby in a
bucket seat, canopy up, lots of fretting/crying sounds
coming from under the canopy.  Mom was intermittently
picking seat up for swinging/rocking, then setting it
down.  Fretting/crying sounds continued for a good 20
minutes.  Trying to be kind, and not knowing the age
of the baby, I caught Mom's eye and asked if this was
the "pre-nap meltdown" (some kids just have 'em
sometimes). She smiled sweetly and replied, "No, I am
trying to teach her to soothe herself."

I *had* to ask...this baby is 6 WEEKS OLD...as in
around 42 DAYS OLD!  Before I could check it, I
blurted out, "She is awfully young to be learning
that!"  Mom sort of glared (I don't blame her) and
said, "Well that depends on what style you prefer.
It's not like I use Babywise or anything!"  And yet
this mom, I am sure trying her best to care for her
baby, continued to ignore/rock/swing/shush/give
pacifier to her fussing, brand new infant for about
another 20 minutes before she FINALLY took her out of
the bucket and fed her.  Baby quieted after feeding
(exhaustion from 40 minutes of fussing and crying?)
and fell asleep after being put back in her bucket.

Discouraging.  Sad.  Frustrating.  Why should any kid
have to cry and fret and cry to be fed or snuggled?
Where do we get these screwy ideas?!  AIEEEE!

Carole



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