Moms of easy babies...

Let me give you a glimpse into my life. That way, maybe you will pity me rather than judge me, or my rambunctious child.

My daughter came out of me kicking and screaming. She made me labor for 20+ unmedicated hours with the most horrendous back labor fathomable.

From the moment she came home, she cried. And cried. And cried. She rarely slept, and when she was awake, all she did was cry. And cry. And cry. It was such a state of complete and utter misery that I was counting down the days to go back to work.

The colic didn't stop until she was 6 months old.

And sleep? Ha. She didn't sleep for more than 4 hours at a time until she was 15 months old.

To this day, from the moment she wakes up, she releases a blood-curdling scream. "MOOOOMMMMMMMY!!!" Every day is a game of chance - some days, you walk into that room, and she shines the brightest, heart-warming smile and giggles, laughs and plays for the the rest of the morning.

Other mornings, you walk into that room, and at first glance, she throws herself on her mattress, screaming and crying. For no apparent reason. Same for pick-up. Some days she runs to me, yells "Mommy", smiles and gives me the biggest hug. Other days, the mere sight of me sends her into a tizzy that doesnt end until the moment she goes to bed.

She does not sit and play quietly. Miss thang runs around in circles making herself "wizzy". From the moment we come home, it's "I want swing" to "read book" to "Play with abigail" to "I want swing again" to "chase Sparky" to "blow bubbles mommy" to "I want snack" to "let's go through mommy's drawers" to "let's go through Alex's drawers" to... and on and on and on.

The last time my mother visited, she turned to me and asked: "Does she ever stop?"

No, mom, she doesn't. She's the energizer bunny on steroids. I'm not kidding.

So, when you see a frazzled parent out at the mall, or in a restaurant, employing "unusual" techniques to calm an otherwise spirited child - don't judge - please. Just pity will do

Re: Moms of easy babies...

Re: Moms of easy babies...

P.S.
I love my child dearly, I really do, and I've come to appreciate her spirited nature, in all its glory. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

But, man, is it exhausting!

Re: Moms of easy babies...

May you have a happy and easy teenager to make up for the early years

Re: Moms of easy babies...

Your second will be a piece of cake!!!!!

Re: Moms of easy babies...

I am so happy you posted this!
I am the mom of a spirited child and I think people with easy people judge you. I did not do anything "wrong" to make my son be this way. I did not do anything "wrong" to make him not sit in a restaurant for more than five minutes at a time.

I was blessed with a very easy infant so I guess I was due the "spirited" toddler that I was given. I was quick to judge those parents who had a child that had a meltdown in a store before I had a child.
Each parent does the best they can with the type of child they were blessed with.

Re: Moms of easy babies...

Re: Moms of easy babies...

I have 3 kids and I've had one of each - one difficult, one easy and one somewhere in the middle. I feel your frustration in dealing with the difficult child but since my son is a little older than your DD, I've seen the benefits of his personality more. And I've often heard that comment - Does he ever stop? He is my oldest and now that my second child is going to school and extra curricular things, it's so nice to not be the parent of the child who stands out bc of their behavior in the way he does. He is larger than life and makes me want to pull my hair out screaming sometimes in frustration and/or anger but I see big things for him, I just know in my heart he will be a huge success if we can direct his energy and strong personality in the right direction. That's my big fear with him, is if his is misunderstood or not given the right outlet for his personality.
My DS has never taken to any toys the way some kids do - other than he Gears (building toy) he is usually all over. He doesn't have ADHD but he does have Sensory issues which explains a lot when we realized what it was. It's still stressful but it helps give some understanding. Just so you know, you're not alone.

My 15 month old is my easy baby and I think I was better off getting the difficult one as my first otherwise I think I would have gone into shock if I had an easy baby as the first

Re: Moms of easy babies...

Thanks for sharing.

Re: Moms of easy babies...

<hand raised very high>
I am a mommy with an UNBELIEVABLY EASY baby! I was a nanny in my early 20's so I know how tough it can be! Thand God I got some relief!

Re: Moms of easy babies...

Posted by Elizabeth

I have 3 kids and I've had one of each - one difficult, one easy and one somewhere in the middle. I feel your frustration in dealing with the difficult child but since my son is a little older than your DD, I've seen the benefits of his personality more. And I've often heard that comment - Does he ever stop? He is my oldest and now that my second child is going to school and extra curricular things, it's so nice to not be the parent of the child who stands out bc of their behavior in the way he does. He is larger than life and makes me want to pull my hair out screaming sometimes in frustration and/or anger but I see big things for him, I just know in my heart he will be a huge success if we can direct his energy and strong personality in the right direction. That's my big fear with him, is if his is misunderstood or not given the right outlet for his personality.
My DS has never taken to any toys the way some kids do - other than he Gears (building toy) he is usually all over. He doesn't have ADHD but he does have Sensory issues which explains a lot when we realized what it was. It's still stressful but it helps give some understanding. Just so you know, you're not alone.

My 15 month old is my easy baby and I think I was better off getting the difficult one as my first otherwise I think I would have gone into shock if I had an easy baby as the first

Re: Moms of easy babies...

Yes, I'm sure at some point in her life, she will make up for these challenging years!

Re: Moms of easy babies...

I thought since my 1st was colic ther was no way I would have another like that - well man was I wrong. Ella is even worse . THere is no way I will try for number 3, I don't even want to imagine what that baby would be like. SO trust me I never make any judgements on anyone

Re: Moms of easy babies...

Re: Moms of easy babies...

Re: Moms of easy babies...

Well, you sound like you're doing a great job.

Steven is pretty easy, albeit a very bad temper when he is tired. I am so nervous that my next will not be so easy.

I think people judge you no matter what kind of baby you have, not just moms who have spirited babies. Every single thing we do gets judged. Judged by family, friends and even other mommies.

Re: Moms of easy babies...

Re: Moms of easy babies...

ha, I was going to start a post like this too but you sound like you had it much worse than I did

Re: Moms of easy babies...

Posted by dee7772

I thought since my 1st was colic ther was no way I would have another like that - well man was I wrong. Ella is even worse . THere is no way I will try for number 3, I don't even want to imagine what that baby would be like. SO trust me I never make any judgements on anyone

Re: Moms of easy babies...

Maybe I misinterpreted the thread but I didn't take it to mean using a DVD to get a moments piece with a spirited toddler....I took it to mean using a DVD to placate an otherwise "easy" child. My experience with this topic is with a friend who has an "easy" baby and utilizes the DVD at every meal out of the home so as not to have to bother with the child....I can guarentee she is not the only mom in the world to do this.

My response was based on parents using over and over just so they don't have to interact as much with their child out.

Re: Moms of easy babies...

Re: Moms of easy babies...

Re: Moms of easy babies...

I honestly didn't realize how spirited my Emma was, or could be until I had my 2nd - Ellie - who is the sweetest, most content baby I've ever seen.


's

Re: Moms of easy babies...

WOW, I cant't even imagine

You are supermom

Re: Moms of easy babies...