I have a dream job. Let me state that up front. But sometimes, working from home is rough.
My darling son has recently begun to sleep 12 hours through the night, heaven bless him. That’s right, 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., straight through. He makes up for this down-time by continually craving up-time during the day. If he’s not napping or eating, he wants stimulation. Lots of it.
Judah’s ideal day would involve being strapped into the Bjorn or stroller as we walk through the city for hours on end, so he could observe the commotion and enjoy the sensory overload. Last weekend, for example, Jared’s aunt and her family were in town for the day. They all marveled at what a well-behaved little boy Judah was. He hardly made a peep; he was all smiles and giggles. Well, that’s because we were out and about all day, and he was constantly being held.
When we’re in our quiet little apartment, which we are most days during the week, he’s out of his mind with boredom.
Toys like his exersaucer (above) help, but he gets supremely bored with them after a while. The last time he was in the church nursery, the old lady asked me afterwards, “He sure doesn’t like to be in one place for very long, does he?” No ma’am. No, he doesn’t.
I thought he might be teething, so yesterday I gave him a bit of Tylenol. That didn’t affect his mood one bit, so I don’t think he’s in pain. I think he’s really just understimulated.
I take him on a walk every day, and he loves it. But I simply cannot hold him and walk with him and sing to him for the entire day, especially if I want to get any work done. So much of my workday is spent to the soundtrack of whining, moaning, and occasional wailing. Like right now.
So what I want to know is, Am I cruel? Is there something I’m not doing? Aren’t most 6-month-olds happy to play by themselves, for at least a few hours every day? Or is this just his temperament, and I need to get over it already?
I guess it’s a small price to pay for 12 hours of bliss every night, and my eight delicious hours of sleep do prepare me for the stress of the everyday. But ugh. A sister can only take so much of the whining.
July 16, 2008 at 2:42 pm |
No, this sounds about right. Both my kids were like this at that age. I suggest you find a mother’s helper to assist you a few hours a day so that you can work.
BTW- he’s adorable!
July 16, 2008 at 3:55 pm |
Oh, sweet Judah. You have to let your mommy work! I’m sorry, Rach. I know that’s got to be frustrating. Although I’m not a huge fan of tv for kiddos, I’ve let Jackson watch a Baby Einstein dvd a couple of times and he seemed to really like it. Have you tried that? It could buy you 30 minutes, at least. Any way you can keep Murphy right in front of him to entertain him? =)
Jackson’s going through a bit of a phase these days too. Seems he hates to go for walks now because he can’t see my face every second. Can you say separation anxiety? He cries from the time I start pushing the stroller, all the way down Epworth and then back up to our street. It’s as far as I can go without the crying driving me batty…and without other people wondering what I’m doing to my poor child.
It’s possible that this is just his little personality shining through – he’s Mr. Curious and likes to explore. Hang in there! It won’t last forever! Soon he’ll be moving around the house and won’t have to wait for things to be brought to him.
July 16, 2008 at 5:35 pm |
I wonder myself if I’m being cruel by letting her cry and fuss for a couple of moments. I can’t be by her side all the time! Even though Lucero is much younger than Judah, I’ve found that her bouncer/swing/whatever will only entertain her for so long also. I feel so neglectful, but at the same time I’ve got to take care of other things. Sorry, no advice here, but let me know you get through it.
July 17, 2008 at 10:05 am |
You’re not cruel, he’s just being a baby. It’s okay to let him cry, he needs to stretch out those little lungs of his. I know it’s hard to listen to, but just think of it as letting him exercise. We can’t grow without a little “growing pain”.
July 17, 2008 at 9:49 pm |
I’m afraid we’re going to add to Judah getting lots of attention when we come out in a few weeks. Hopefully it won’t get worse after we leave cause I know we’ll want to hold and love him a lot. We’ll pray this is a short lived phase of life.
By the way I know this is late but we love your new apartment and can’t wait to see it and the 3 of you!
July 18, 2008 at 11:19 am |
Dip an ice cube in some whiskey and let him suck on that.
July 20, 2008 at 4:26 pm |
Hey! My son’s name is Judah too! 17.5 years to go, honey! Anyway, join the club:
http://www.truemomconfessions.com
They might give you some ideas.
July 20, 2008 at 10:43 pm |
Hey girl sorry I checked this so late. I know what you mean. SDS doesn’t like to be in once place very long either. I am bad and don’t take him on walks enough. It get’s so hot here so if I TAKE him it has to be 6:30am after his first breakfast/bottle. I have done this maybe 8 times but lately I have been trying to go back to sleep after he eats. I do move Stephen a lot too. He seems to be bored with his excersaucer now, which is freaking me out. It always seemed to work. I have been trying to work on lesson plans for the first month of school it hasn’t been so great. He just seems to want to get at the computer if he is near me.
I hope it is getting better now. That is awesome he is sleeping 12 hours. SDS wakes up like clockwork at 6 or 6:30AM. He has slept twice until 7:30. I was in heaven. I know it is because he is on my work schedule. That is when he has to wake up so I can feed him and give him a bottle. He is eating 3 meals a day now so I actually have to be awake now to feed him.
I hope all is better these days.
Kristie
July 22, 2008 at 12:16 am |
But he’s SO CUTE when he crinkles up his face!
And I don’t think it’s unusual at all for 6 month olds to want attention rather than quiet independent play. And 8 month olds. And 2 1/2 year olds…
July 22, 2008 at 2:21 pm |
You know what Judah needs? It’s called siblings.