Baby Blog

In recent weeks my darling baby boy has become increasingly mobile. He swaps between crawling and walking and he keeps trying to run. His well of curiosity and exploration runs very deep and if he can get to it, Nik will take it apart, dissect it, dunk it in water or flush it down the toilet, depending on where we are. Keeping him close to me at home or out and about town has proven to be quite the chore. But I’m learning.

Here are just a few of the ways I have learned to keep my little guy close but feeling independent (avoiding tantrums).

Distract, distract, distract. As Nik begins to wander away, I try to hold his interest by pointing something out to him that’s close to me or directing him towards someone (“Go see Grandma”) rather than letting him run loose. Everything seems to interest baby Nik so it’s just a matter of making something next to mommy more interesting than something far away.

Hold something that interests your baby in your hands. My son loves my sunglasses. If they are in my hand he’ll stay close as he tries to grab them. Car keys work well as does his pacifier, favorite carrot snack and any kind of rubber duck.  A miniature rubber duck in my hand is a like a magnet for my little boy. He will follow me yelling: “Duck! Duck!’ at the top of his little lungs.

Hey I said close to you not quiet. Let’s deal with one issue at a time.

As Nik is practicing his walking I hate to stop him by scooping him up and carrying him just to keep him close to me. I’ve taken to holding his hand and letting him walk beside me. Of course, this only works for so long but it seems prudent to start teaching the hold my hand thing as early as possible.

Okay so as I have been chasing my little boy all over town these last few weeks much to the growing amusement of our little community a few people have suggested the baby leash. I mean the child harness thing. Well…what do I think about that? Perhaps my use of the term leash tells my opinion. I don’t think children should be walked like dogs but I don’t think parents should be worn ragged chasing enthusiastic hyperactive babies all over the place.

It’s just a matter of redirection, boundary setting and close observation.

Easier said than done. Right?