Malachi's newfound mobility
I'm trying to ignore my kids as much as possible lately.
And I think I'm a better parent for it.
I never wanted to be a helicopter parent and always vowed to encourage my kids' independence. Now that I'm a mom, I've realized why that's much easier said than done. Babies are born so helpless that you get stuck in this pattern of doing everything for them and it's hard to realize when it's time to change and how best to step back.
Compounding that is Malachi's disability which means at a year and a half he still needs to be held or helped to accomplish most anything.
So I try to step back as much as possible, but even when the kids aren't crying — in fact, especially when they are very quiet — I've realized that I can't resist the urge to poke my head in and see what they're doing that has them so engrossed. This of course reminds them that mom is around and yet, horrifically, inexplicably, is not playing with them. So, Malachi will start crying and Jaden will get up and follow me around, pulling on my leg.
But recently this has become much less of an issue, particularly for Malachi, and I'll give you one reason:
Malachi's new wheels from Shasta Kearns Moore on Vimeo.
So great!
(In case you can't tell, this is just one of those square scooter boards that many of us used in elementary school PE. I found our airplane neck pillow is the perfect size to add lift, comfort and prevent him from falling off. And yes, that is a gigantic can of ThickIt, a thickening agent that we used to (!) have to put in his liquids so he wouldn't choke.)
It gives Malachi the ability to "crawl" around and explore the world — crashing into plastic dishes and figuring out spatial relationships. It also gives him practice moving his limbs around productively and keeping his head up.
Why didn't I think of this before?
I can now go entire minutes without paying attention to them! The world is my oyster!
Update: In case you want one of your own, I found a very similar one here for about $20, though we got this free from our Early Intervention folks.
And I think I'm a better parent for it.
I never wanted to be a helicopter parent and always vowed to encourage my kids' independence. Now that I'm a mom, I've realized why that's much easier said than done. Babies are born so helpless that you get stuck in this pattern of doing everything for them and it's hard to realize when it's time to change and how best to step back.
Compounding that is Malachi's disability which means at a year and a half he still needs to be held or helped to accomplish most anything.
So I try to step back as much as possible, but even when the kids aren't crying — in fact, especially when they are very quiet — I've realized that I can't resist the urge to poke my head in and see what they're doing that has them so engrossed. This of course reminds them that mom is around and yet, horrifically, inexplicably, is not playing with them. So, Malachi will start crying and Jaden will get up and follow me around, pulling on my leg.
But recently this has become much less of an issue, particularly for Malachi, and I'll give you one reason:
Malachi's new wheels from Shasta Kearns Moore on Vimeo.
So great!
(In case you can't tell, this is just one of those square scooter boards that many of us used in elementary school PE. I found our airplane neck pillow is the perfect size to add lift, comfort and prevent him from falling off. And yes, that is a gigantic can of ThickIt, a thickening agent that we used to (!) have to put in his liquids so he wouldn't choke.)
It gives Malachi the ability to "crawl" around and explore the world — crashing into plastic dishes and figuring out spatial relationships. It also gives him practice moving his limbs around productively and keeping his head up.
Why didn't I think of this before?
I can now go entire minutes without paying attention to them! The world is my oyster!
Update: In case you want one of your own, I found a very similar one here for about $20, though we got this free from our Early Intervention folks.
Shasta- I really love this video. You can tell he is so determined to explore the world and what the noises and movements and spaces mean. It's so very encouraging. You're genius to think of that contraption.
ReplyDeleteStaci
Aw, thanks! It is encouraging.
DeleteI love that! What a happy game for your boy. It looks like fun from here. Does Jaden ever want to ride the scooter? : )
ReplyDeleteJaden totally wants to ride the scooter. Just today he laid down on it like Malachi does. I let him play with it, but I think it frustrates him that Malachi gets to use it more and that I don't let him push Malachi around when he's on it!
DeleteThat's fantastic!!
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome! And so great for Malachi
ReplyDeleteSo so neat! Love when thinking outside the box produces such a beautiful result!
ReplyDeleteBrooke
www.TheAnnessaFamily.com
This is great. Thinking I might need to make one of these for my non-crawling 17 month old. Thanks for the great idea.
ReplyDelete