Photo Credit: kenny1970
control |kənˈtrōl|noun1 the power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of events : the whole operation is under the control of a production manager |the situation was slipping out of her control.
As a mom, I feel like the expert. From the beginning, I could tell their cries apart. I knew who had the better latch, who's poop would smell the worst and who wouldn't stop eating even if he was full. Then the details intensified and the list became a book.
When they wake up, they are starving, put in a movie to distract them until the eggs are ready and cool.Don't let them see the fruit before they eat the meal.They know its nap time as soon as they are pointed in the direction of their room. They will cry, forge ahead and they will be fine.If they are fighting over a toy, let them duke it out. Always have 2 toys for distraction during diaper changes. One is for the victim of the diaper change and the other is for the observer who will inevitably steal that toy for himself.They love to be in the tub as its filling up with water. If Evan starts to cry, he is not joking. Distract him immediately and he will be fine.If Alex starts to cry, give him a hug, he just needs attention.
We all have them for our own children. I assume they get less involved as the child gets older. I think this is why its so hard for new parents to leave their children with a babysitter.
And now we get onto the subject at hand.
This morning, my dear sweet husband utters the sexiest words a daddy can say:"Honey, go back to sleep, I will get the boys."
Its only rival is the ever so elusive:"Go ahead to the spa for the day, I will stay with the boys."
He turns off the monitor and quietly shuts the door behind him. I take a deep breath, pull the covers over my head and imagine deep deep sleep for the next hour.
But then I hear it. Faintly at first, then louder...
Whining.
Did he put the movie on?
Did he put some cheerios on their tray to hold them over?
Will he know to really cool the eggs down so they don't burn them?
Am I actually laying here in peace pondering if my Naval Academy Graduate, Nuclear Engineer of a husband can feed our children???!!!
You are ridiculous, shut your eyes and get some much deserved sleep.
Whining.
Ignore it.
Louder whining.
He can handle it.
Crying.
Ok, maybe I just go down for a second.
Louder crying.
I find myself standing in the kitchen with the spatula, cooking eggs.
A little disclaimer before you write me off as a nut case...we live across the country from our families. We have been parenting alone (it was all our idea) and so its not ingrained in me to rely on someone else for help.
I want to let go. I know my husband is GREAT with the boys. I know he is fully capable yet I still fly out of bed at the 1st auditory signal of distress. And its not like they never cry in my presence. I don't cater to their every need. They get told no, they get told "hush", and they certainly get told "you need to be patient".
So, why can't I do it? Why can't I give up the reins a bit? Will this get better with time?
In other words...tell me I am not going to be like this forever!!
As a mom, I feel like the expert. From the beginning, I could tell their cries apart. I knew who had the better latch, who's poop would smell the worst and who wouldn't stop eating even if he was full. Then the details intensified and the list became a book.
When they wake up, they are starving, put in a movie to distract them until the eggs are ready and cool.Don't let them see the fruit before they eat the meal.They know its nap time as soon as they are pointed in the direction of their room. They will cry, forge ahead and they will be fine.If they are fighting over a toy, let them duke it out. Always have 2 toys for distraction during diaper changes. One is for the victim of the diaper change and the other is for the observer who will inevitably steal that toy for himself.They love to be in the tub as its filling up with water. If Evan starts to cry, he is not joking. Distract him immediately and he will be fine.If Alex starts to cry, give him a hug, he just needs attention.
We all have them for our own children. I assume they get less involved as the child gets older. I think this is why its so hard for new parents to leave their children with a babysitter.
And now we get onto the subject at hand.
This morning, my dear sweet husband utters the sexiest words a daddy can say:"Honey, go back to sleep, I will get the boys."
Its only rival is the ever so elusive:"Go ahead to the spa for the day, I will stay with the boys."
He turns off the monitor and quietly shuts the door behind him. I take a deep breath, pull the covers over my head and imagine deep deep sleep for the next hour.
But then I hear it. Faintly at first, then louder...
Whining.
Did he put the movie on?
Did he put some cheerios on their tray to hold them over?
Will he know to really cool the eggs down so they don't burn them?
Am I actually laying here in peace pondering if my Naval Academy Graduate, Nuclear Engineer of a husband can feed our children???!!!
You are ridiculous, shut your eyes and get some much deserved sleep.
Whining.
Ignore it.
Louder whining.
He can handle it.
Crying.
Ok, maybe I just go down for a second.
Louder crying.
I find myself standing in the kitchen with the spatula, cooking eggs.
A little disclaimer before you write me off as a nut case...we live across the country from our families. We have been parenting alone (it was all our idea) and so its not ingrained in me to rely on someone else for help.
I want to let go. I know my husband is GREAT with the boys. I know he is fully capable yet I still fly out of bed at the 1st auditory signal of distress. And its not like they never cry in my presence. I don't cater to their every need. They get told no, they get told "hush", and they certainly get told "you need to be patient".
So, why can't I do it? Why can't I give up the reins a bit? Will this get better with time?
In other words...tell me I am not going to be like this forever!!
