Edmund Sets SailThere are so many things I enjoy about being a mom, but I must admit I occasionally get frustrated. I swore I would never compare my baby to his peers, but that's near impossible since I am around children his age all the time. I am with children at school during the week, at playgroup on Saturdays, and during nursery on Sundays. So when I see babies Edmund's age crawling around the playground or chasing their parents I can't say that I'm not a tad envious. Edmund is an easygoing guy, and for that I am beyond thankful. However, his easygoing personality means he is simply content to just sit and watch the world go by. Edmund is of the mindset "the world will come to me so why should I go get the world."
I have pushed tummy time since the day we brought Edmund home from the hospital. He has tummy time toys galore, but shuns them in favor of toys of the upright or dangling variety. Edmund has also rolled from his tummy to back since he was 8 days old. I used to think this meant my baby would excel at gross motor activities. Now I know it was his way of foiling his parents best attempts at tummy time.
We have a wonderful substitute at the preschool who fills in when my co-teacher is out. She has made it her mission to give Edmund plenty of tummy time on the days she enters the classroom. Edmund also refuses her efforts. When the sub is in the room she will ask if I have tried this or tried that to make sure Edmund strengthens his muscles. I have tried it all, as I could write a book on tummy time activities. My director has asked me if the sub's interest in pushing tummy time gets to me. Last week I said it didn't, but as Edmund approaches 10 months of age with no signs of crawling, the sub's constant "reminders" that Edmund has yet to crawl are starting to wear on my nerves. I know she means well, but unfortunately she has hit my "hot button" issue. I have come to the realization that most parents have these "hot buttons". One of my mom friends was jealous that Edmund could clap his hands and give high fives, while I was coveting the fact that her baby could crawl. We all must deal with this in life. There is always someone out there with the "better job, bigger house," etc. You know where I'm going with this. My hope is that I try to model for Edmund how to graciously accept this fact of life. I know I'm still working on it.
Deep down I know Edmund is just fine. I know the average ranges of development and have been reassured by doctors and new and old mothers alike. It just so happens that this year all of Edmund's playmates seem to be advanced in the gross motor area. If I transported him back to last year's infant class he would be right on par with the rest of them. I simply felt it was time to express my normal mom frustrations. I find it amazing that this is my only big frustration this year. Edmund really is a wonderful baby. I have to remember that he is trying out new sounds everyday, has made several attempts at waving, can feed himself, is an expert at pushing buttons to play annoying electronic music, can play a simple game of catch and throw...the list goes on and on. Crawling will come. For now I'll marvel at all my little boy CAN do.
