At the park, I came across a little baby boy who was 11 months old, just like Little M. His dad was playing with him on the slide and I commented on how cute his little man was. He smiled and said, “ Yeah, it’s more important he becomes a person who contributes good things to society.” I answered by saying, “Well, that’s the hard part.” He nodded.
It was really enlightening to hear such a thoughtful comment in the playground. It’s definitely something I thought about every waking moment as a mother. The philosopher in me is always asking questions: When should I expose Little M to this? Is he ready to sit and eat on a table by himself? Is that dirt he’s putting in his mouth?
There are hundreds of books and articles online on how to raise a child, but how do you account for the unique values and upbring each of the parents have. Doesn’t that add a certain something to the equation? My only advice is to do what is best and what is most comfortable for you. Only you know what is best for your child… and also, stay off Google search as much as you can.
In some way, we raise our children in similar ways to how we ourselves grew up. I found myself up late at night remembering my own childhood and what I loved best about it. My thoughts were filled the memories being with my family outside at the beach or a park. This is probably why I spend so much time in nature now as an adult. It’s interesting how closely tied we are to our childhood experiences.
For me, the best thing to do is to follow little M’s lead. This meant respecting his growth and development at his own rate. Every child has their own way of doing things as well as the speed in which it is done. With all the books out there, I figure I let Little M tell me when he’s ready to proceed to the next stage of his development.
For instance, I have been doing baby led weaning since Little M was 7 months old in his high chair. Around 13 months, he would scream and cry as I put him in his high chair to eat. Knowing this would be the case sooner or later, I took out his baby table and chair and placed it in the dining area. Once I put his food tray on the table, he came over and sat in this chair and started to happily eat his food.
Another thing I have come to learn is to observe Little M’s behavior. Through mindful observation, one is able to assess their child’s abilities and readiness for particular activities or experiences. The key is in trying to make sure your child is able to connect to the world in their own way. With a sense of control over their lives, it can improve a child’s learning and overall well-being.
So, empower your little one to think freely, make their own decisions, and have a strong sense of self. The most important relationship your little one will ever have is with self. Through loving guidance and observation, allow your little one to explore and learn to trust in their own abilities. As with everything, follow your heart and the answers will come to you, even when the questions are hard.
