It’s all coming back to me now. You’ve managed to get your 6 month old on a pretty good schedule. She wakes up with the birds, breakfast nursing and then a seamless day of fun and learning with a scattering of naps in-between.
But wait, something happens; she gets a cold or maybe a grandparent comes to visit.
Bob tells me it’s my duty to spoil the Love Bug. I can play by the grandparent rule of non-stop indulgence. I remember when Grandma Ada would visit, or maybe we’d leave the Bride with her for a stolen weekend. It would always take a few days to get her back on that schedule.
Cut to the year 2013. And I have morphed into my Mother-in-Law. Would you like to wake earlier, go to bed later, fine no problem. You want to be held ALL the time? Why not. It’s all become clear to me now. Ada was raised with a “governess.” That’s what we now call a nanny, although i always think of Julie Andrews when she talks about her childhood. The Sound of Music in Brooklyn.
Ada also had live-in help while raising her 3 young sons. So actually, she got to be the spoiler early on. She lived on an Army base in Alabama, all the officers’ wives lived a charmed life. Today, the charm lies in getting enough sleep.
This Tuesday the Bride is working a 9 to 5 shift. Highly unusual in the life of a young ER doc, a normal weekday shift. It’s her least favorite because it’s the one shift that equates to less time with her baby Bug. But that’s OK with me, more time to cuddle and sing, more time to play and try some more new foods. Like mashed potatoes and avocado!
MountainMornings 
Yes, I’ve morphed too. Why discipline when you can have fun? And biting my tongue when I hear some of the crazy ideas they have. But the kids seem to all turn out ok, So spoil away! The time flies too fast.
Indeed! I don’t believe you can spoil a baby. Maybe a little later?
Chris Sent from my iPhone
Maze was after my laptop a few weeks ago. Yikes! What to do? It was my first time kinda saying no. Broke my heart…I thought it would be yes to everything. But my goal: yes to almost everything!
Ha! I agree Barbara. ms C was leaning over toward the cocktail table and I let her reach for what she wanted…my water bottle or my iPhone? Technology wins!
Chris Sent from my iPhone
But we do need to say no, some, right? Kath’s gong to have a time because she’s at her laptop so much. We were skyping yesterday and Maze was twisting away from his toy laptop to get at hers.
I hated disciplining my kids. I did it, but it wore me out. Going to be minimal this time!
My first no was at the grocery store. Pausing at the check-out candy in line. But knowing they need to hear “no” now and then was a big revelation, distraction was my daily discipline tool. I feel totally at ease spoiling now as a grandparent. But we need to balance. For instance, their schedules are critical so I am learning to stick to the naptimes. She is starting to scoot around sideways and wants to feed herself!
Chris Sent from my iPhone
Exciting! They sure are growing up. Cliche I know but oh so true.