Baby Blog

Our baby boy was for all but five minutes of our three day weekend break an absolute angel. His manners were great, he said hello to people, he held mom or dad’s hand when asked and he didn’t touch anything he was told not to. I was certainly very proud of how my 18 month old acted in public. And the compliments were constant.

“What a cute little baby. He’s being ever so good.”

“First child in this museum who hasn’t tried to touch anything.”

“Thank you sweetie for picking that up for me. What a good little boy.”

“What do you do give him good behavior pills in his baby food?”

“You are a lucky couple to have such a mild mannered baby.”

We are lucky to have Nik. After losing two babies, we were told we would never get pregnant with a healthy child. Then we had Nik and it was all we could do not to completely spoil him. Having an only child makes you very aware of the spoil factor and we really do try not to overindulge him. I’m certainly a softie, slipping him sweet goodies and buying toys all the time. I do try to temper it with teaching him good manners and how to act in public.

Nik’s father on the other hand is much stricter than me and baby Nik is well aware of this. When Dad is out and about with us, Nik is perfectly well behaved, doesn’t ask for a thing and stays close to mom (best way to keep out of trouble).  Nik’s dad does indulge him, buying him fast food when mom isn’t around and letting him watch hour after hour of nature programs (dad’s favorite) but he does keep Nik in check with his attitude and behavior.

But all in all despite the sneaky treats and occasional molly coddling, baby Nik is a well adjusted, mild mannered, well behaved (in public ahem) and sociable little toddler. So is that because of his parents or in spite of them?

Is baby Nik his cute loveable social butterfly self because of something we do or is he just like that?

I’m leaning in favor of nature in this case. I love my son but I am self aware enough to know I spoil him and he acts the way he does in spite of his parents indulgences. I guess, after all we went through trying to conceive a little boy, we can finally call ourselves lucky parents.

Everyone else does.