No, this is not Hugo's style of becoming a parent*, but rather a term used in the latest in the string of parenting and baby books I am reading.
Now, I don't normally prescribe or enjoy those self help kinda books that explain hw you should be living your life and what you should be doing, in fact I feel that you should make and learn from your own mistakes.
Having said that, there is definately something to be said for some good advice and guidance. Alot of the parenting type books out there are extremely regimented and impractical to follow. Other advice out there is from Gran or Great-gran and that advice is just SO outdated... I mean who still uses baby powder anyway, and what are towelling nappies used for other than vomit mats?
The Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg, is one such book that imparts some wonderful advice. It is honest, logical, intelligent and seems to be based on real world practice as opposed to laboratory experiment. Okay, I've only read 5 pages and skimmed a few more, but so far so good. Paul Kerton's Fab Dad is also a great read for Dad's but doesn't get down to the nitty gritty that Mom's need.
Anyway, posted about being a super sub the other day... Well... maybe less super than I orginally thought... Although my intentions were good, I found out this morning, after getting up at 5am and comforting Michael for an hour or so in order to let Cath sleep, that I was caught in a typical Accidental Parenting trap. What I am supposed to do, is to ignore the little snorts and sniffles, grunts and groans and let the kid sleep on. Apparently babies make funny noises for a while before waking, and me getting up, grabbing him and sitting comforting him for a while was actually not such a good thing as it is going to get him used to Daddy holding him and putting him to sleep in the early morning... Something I would hate to have to do every single morning, altho holding him is wonderful.
So, tomorrow I'll ignore the grunts and groans and wait for the crying before I jump into the game and super sub!
Either that or sleep in the spare room and ignore the lot!
:)
*He's on his second unplanned kid, and has now decided to marry his gf!
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Sunday, April 1, 2007
The fear of infection
On Friday, I was struck down by one of the Viruses going around Cape Town. No, not one of those ones that they guys in tight lycra on Somerset Road like to pass around amongst themselves, but rather the Gastro Interitis variety.
It was not a pleasant experience. First came the aches and pains all over. Then came the headaches. Then came the nausea. Eventually I was ready to implode... or explode. I ran out the office, went straight home attempting to listen to cricket to get my mind of my impending death (or so it felt). When I staggered through the door, Cath took one look at me and feared the worst. She was on her own!
Getting sick is not what it used to be. In the days pre-baby you got sick, felt sorry for yourself, lay around, attempted to get better, got loads of sympathy from your loved one and eventually you were fine again and it didn't really matter how long it took. Now, things are somewhat different.
For one thing, there is little or no sympathy. The reason for this is not selfish at all, but rather that one of the team is down, leaving the other half to battle on alone. Being sick doesn't mean just lying around anymore, it means isolation. You have to lock yourself away as best as possible so as not to infect the new born (or pregnant wife).
And the worst part of all, you can't be with, touch or show affection to the one you love! It was awful. I couldn't give him a little kiss on the head or strock his cheek... or change is pooey nappy!
So, I recovered pretty quick, I mean, what is the point of being sick when you can't enjoy the fringe benefits?
On a lighter note, Cath has been talking about getting a new image. Her drive to eat healthily and look good while she was pregnant has continued, and now she is taking much greater interest in her "style". A conversation on that topic ended with the cheesiest quote I've heard in a while. She commented on my hairstyle (trendy y'see) and said...
"You got the look.... Nananana Na, Na Nananana Nana..."
It was not a pleasant experience. First came the aches and pains all over. Then came the headaches. Then came the nausea. Eventually I was ready to implode... or explode. I ran out the office, went straight home attempting to listen to cricket to get my mind of my impending death (or so it felt). When I staggered through the door, Cath took one look at me and feared the worst. She was on her own!
Getting sick is not what it used to be. In the days pre-baby you got sick, felt sorry for yourself, lay around, attempted to get better, got loads of sympathy from your loved one and eventually you were fine again and it didn't really matter how long it took. Now, things are somewhat different.
For one thing, there is little or no sympathy. The reason for this is not selfish at all, but rather that one of the team is down, leaving the other half to battle on alone. Being sick doesn't mean just lying around anymore, it means isolation. You have to lock yourself away as best as possible so as not to infect the new born (or pregnant wife).
And the worst part of all, you can't be with, touch or show affection to the one you love! It was awful. I couldn't give him a little kiss on the head or strock his cheek... or change is pooey nappy!
So, I recovered pretty quick, I mean, what is the point of being sick when you can't enjoy the fringe benefits?
On a lighter note, Cath has been talking about getting a new image. Her drive to eat healthily and look good while she was pregnant has continued, and now she is taking much greater interest in her "style". A conversation on that topic ended with the cheesiest quote I've heard in a while. She commented on my hairstyle (trendy y'see) and said...
"You got the look.... Nananana Na, Na Nananana Nana..."
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