Baby talk

[SeaniBu]

Being as this is the most pressing topic to me now, I wonder what advice / tricks / ideas / experience everyone has regarding the raising of a child.

Beside the fact I have already reserved myself to the idea our little Shannon Win Si may or may not take to FS ( the skates will be on her at 1 1/2 years) it is ultimately up to her. Just as her Mother realizes piano may not be her choice of activities either.


btw I have been making ice stroking noises to momma's belly for a good 2 months now

 

[Tonichelle]

I'm not a parent, but I think overstressing perfection is a big problem these days. Parents are so obsessed with their children getting into college (even as young as 2 they're pushing these thoughts) or being the best athlete. Being most popular, or pretty... that they forget that they're children!

I'm also one that pushes for parents being parents not best friends. My dad and I are extremely close but growin up there was a definite boundry. He wasn't afraid to be the 'bad guy' when it came to the rules. And I think that helped me way more than anything else.

My dad is a 'closet' skating fan. Any sport that he tried to push on me I wasn't interested in. Baseball and Basketball bore me to tears (though I was into high school basketball just because of a crush on a certain captain on the team ). My advice? Disney on Ice - it's how I got caught up in the sport at age 4

That being said - you'll do fine. Every parent makes mistakes, every parent learns as they go. Take it seriously but not overly so. And enjoy it. Trust me, daddy's girls always think their daddy's are the best even if they sometimes embarass us, break our hearts (have you seen Dan in Real Life? Hysterical), but we always know they're there for us... we have them wrapped around our finger... and they're always the most important guy in our life.

Oh, and stear clear of daddy's girl songs (especially country songs) because they will make you cry faster than anything.. or maybe that's just my dad's thing lol

 

[Grgranny]

Well, I haven't been on much lately and must have missed a bunch. So, Seanibu, are you a daddy? What's going on here. I assume you are married now? You can email me privately if you wish. Getting my email ok now.

 

[heyang]

Good Luck!!

I'm not a parent, but I'm a wonderful aunt. My best advice is to listen to what they have to say. You don't always have to agree or give in, but you should keep the lines of communication open.

Also, kids are big on fairness around age 3-4. They also are very sensitive to what you say and do. Mutual friends gave my brother and SIL a gift for me and they put it under their tree. My brother mentioned it and my nephew declared "I'll get it". My brother replied that he wouldn't know which one its was, but nephew brought over the right one. He did overhear what his father said and went and cried in the corner. My brother had to apologize to him for doubting him. This was when he was almost 4 and still unable to read.

Kids see everything!

Last, every kid is different - even your own. Avoid comparing them to their siblings and/or friends.

 

[CzarinaAnya]

Sean, when did you become a dad? awwww Haven't "seen" you in ages!

 

[SeaniBu]

Became a dad most likely on my birthday or within a few days of that

Still not married is it OK with everyone I say that, or should I have just let it be unspoken??? It is a proposal that does not seem as paramount to either of us now.

Baby girl, name is Shannon Wîn Së - Due in November.

Toni and ang I love your pointers:agree: Parents are parents to me as well. And comparisons are a wonderful point to bring up to avoid.

I am SO SO SO trying to think let her be her own, let her decide what she wants and we will support. I am so excited to be a dad at the same time I want to be as .... perfect???...... how do you say that :scratch:. I want to be her father.

I have never thought of father as a relative term until now.

Anyhoo, I am not going to try and "over encourage my particular wishes of grandeur." I do want she have whatever "god given" talent she has.

My sister Tam just stopped by to give us Shannon's first baby books. So cute. "Bear hear ... Bear see ..." She will not be able to read for sometime but I think reading to her now might help her feel comfortable to hear now and after she is born.

 

[CzarinaAnya]

Awww, I'm so excited for you. Love her name!

 

[Tonichelle]

reading from day one of the baby's life is SO important... it bonds you together, and it makes reading come easier and faster.

 

[SeaniBu]

Baby classes

These are quite the experience. One of the couples is just so "above it all" I wonder why they even come.

Wow birthing videos! :scowl:

It is all rather familiar, but we are both getting a lot out of them. At the very least a feeling of Prepared.

Seems our little Shannon is getting some Dr.s quite curious. We are going off to different studies and specialist, BUT there isn't any concern. It is just a slightly unique situation that happens on occasion an may hold some answers for other couples and their children. Inconvenient as heck - well worth the effort.

The hospital we choose it turning out to be the best decision we could have made. It is the only "baby friendly" hospital in Colorado. Not that this makes it all that much different, but the care providers and staff seem to be the best around and we can't imagine a nicer more comfortable environment to have our baby. Attracting a little more attention from people just wanting to know what the baby will look like. But from everything we have seen so far, Shannon is going to look 100% Asian for most of her early years.

Our "baby suitcase" either has too much or too little in it. I am starting to believe the only way we will be comfortable with what we take is if I just take everything we have that will be her size.

Just a personal pet peeve I have notice with "talk about babies" in book and instructions - why do so many (not all, favorite teacher thus far used they, them and their...) but referring to the baby as he, she .... Outside of the conversations that pertain to body parts, wondering why gender in general when talking about babies in general???
Whatever, I know it doesn't matter. But it distracts me once and awhile.