How does one take care of a baby?
I mean, really.
I know I have worked at the nursery for 3 years now... I've changed diapers, prepared and given bottles, been thrown up on, burped, rocked, swung, comforted, consoled, been pinched, worked on tummy time, dealt with tantrums, been told "no" and asked "why?", worked on potty training, washed their hands, and so on. But what will I do with my own son... 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is that what mothering is all about -- the above? How do I know if I'm doing it right? What if I forget something? At the nursery, I have 2-3 hours to help the kids, but they always go home afterwards to mom and dad and it's a relief because I know that it's up to them to provide, train, and correct. But now? That's going to be me! What in the world do I know?
Is there some sort of manual I should be reading? Like, month 6, day 5, today your baby should be sitting on his own for at least 5 minutes a day. Good, I have a goal, this is what I work towards. Or is it simply a wild adventure for the rest of my life doing what I think is best in each situation and praying, praying, praying for God to fill in the gaps of the rest of my mistakes and inadequacies? What do I do when my baby won't stop crying and I don't know what to do? What do I do when I find my 1 year old standing on the kitchen table preparing to jump off? What about when my child talks back for the first time? I guess, my pre-parenting advice to myself is, take a deep breath and embrace it. If I've learned one thing from the nursery it's that there is no, ONE way something needs or has to be done. But I always have that fear -- what if I'm doing it wrong? I guess I can see why many people used to have nannies. Or is this why there are grandparents & friends?
To life... and the beginning of a crazy adventure!
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