My Mom was over tonight and she and Tajh went outside to take the trash and recycling bins out. Moments later she comes running in frantically-
“Tell your son no!”
Me- Deer in headlights
Mom “There is lizard stuck in the old trash can and he wants to get it out!”
Me “Oh. Well Tajh, save it”
That’s right, even my Mother who has watched me parent for 13 years got it all wrong.
Do I really parent that oddly? Maybe to “average” American standards, I’m not “average”.
This isn’t “normal”?
This one time, in 5th grade, my teacher told us “to assume is to make an ass out of you and me. Yes, my teacher told a class of 10-year-olds this. Genius. Make no assumptions, ever.
I actually got asked the other day, “so do you just wear him (Tag) all the time?”
Yes, yes I do. If I’m not wearing him, I’m holding him. If I’m not holding him, I’m peeing, I will pick him up when I’m done. I treated Tajh exactly the same way and no, I do not have to wear him still today. He is by far the most self confident and genuinely happy person I know, adult or child.
Also no, babies can not be manipulative. Babies have needs, they cry when then “need”. I respect children (or at least try to) no matter how old they are. I actually have “A person’s a person no matter how small” (Dr. Seuss) tattooed on my body ( I have a quote obsession). Just because they are littler then we are does not mean their wants and needs should be ignored. If a baby is crying I will do whatever it takes to make them not cry. I will nurse all day, wear all day, pace while singing all day, whatever it takes. Again, I have done this with all my children and none of them still expect to be carried! They are all very capable and confident. I think 5 awesome kids says I’ve done something right.
Obligatory-random-adorable sleeping baby picture….
But again, even my Mom after all these years misjudges how I will react. I suppose I can’t hold on to any hope that people will “get” me and maybe I’m happier with them not. I like being a little odd.
And don’t worry, our friends (turns out another one was hiding) were saved and ran off happily.
Seven Wild And Free 