tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958408085379822190.post6821984298274633866..comments2012-10-17T13:44:06.854-07:00Comments on Diary of a New Mom: Lord have mercyChristy Sumerfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06324824355017537577noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958408085379822190.post-26748946956555923532009-07-27T20:15:47.219-07:002009-07-27T20:15:47.219-07:00Hi, Christy,
I agree with Carrie. And with whoe...Hi, Christy,<br /> I agree with Carrie. And with whoever said that each baby is unique and don't read any more books. I had five and what I noticed was that as soon as I thought I recognized a pattern in their sleeping or whatever, they changed. <br /> My sister-in-law stopped taking ANY naps at the age of 9 months, which did NOT make her mother happy, I can tell you. <br /> One mom I knew had two children and after they had grown up a bit she realized that she had treated them the opposite of what they were needing. One she let go to sleep by himself, one she always nursed to sleep, and they had both been fussy. <br /> We always sang to our children at night, but the last one was annoyed by this from the start and wouldn't fall asleep until we left the room and let her "sing" to herself alone!<br /> At this age, any "habits" aren't entrenched. And children are not so sensitive that they will be psychologically "damaged" if you let them cry. They will respond to the whole of their life with their parents, which in your case will be full of love, affection, and care.<br /> God is with you, and Maggie will be fine. Please forgive my butting in!<br /> Love in Christ, GretchenGretchenJoannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13641677400029070452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958408085379822190.post-53502716781999104122009-07-26T21:25:00.766-07:002009-07-26T21:25:00.766-07:00Christy, you can delete this and never talk to me ...Christy, you can delete this and never talk to me again if you want, but I have to tell you how I feel.<br />Maggie is old enough to be left on her own in her own bed. And it is okay for her to cry. And honestly, she probably needs to cry. She will learn to soothe herself this way. Right now she is soothed by you, since that is what you are teaching her. I promise you that it doesn't take long for them to figure it out. It's a tough couple of days and it breaks your heart to listen to it...but I suggest you try. Short intervals is all I would do (5 minutes of crying), but then go in and rub her and pat her...just don't give in to picking her up or nursing her. Then let her go a little longer (10-15 minutes). From my experience with both of my girls, it may take up to 1 - 1 1/2 hours, but after doing that at nap time and bed time for 3-4 days, they turned out to be excellent sleepers. It is one thing that I have ALWAYS been very proud of. <br />Of course, I would tell you to make sure she is fed and changed so that you know she isn't crying from something else.<br />If you try it (and I am not going to judge you if you don't)know that it is way harder on you than it is her, and she will thank you for teaching her how to comfort herself. <br />Also, I completely agree that children sleep better when they are fully rested. On the days that we are literally going all day, in the sun, playing non-stop, are the days that they don't sleep well at night! <br />Please don't be upset by my comment, I am only telling you this because I am saddened every time I hear about your sleep issues, because I just want you to try "my method."<br />We love you very much and are here for you if you ever want to call...or visit! :-)Carrie McCoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03293855816570697872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958408085379822190.post-91162990757717080922009-07-25T21:28:31.390-07:002009-07-25T21:28:31.390-07:00Sorry I sounded so harsh. I only think that follow...Sorry I sounded so harsh. I only think that following too much advice from the "experts" leaves a mother confused and bewildered.<br />I think you should just follow your instincts for a while.<br />Christina carried Petros around the first year of his life. He napped in a carrier, then a back pack.<br />It worked for him and her, although she got really tired of it.<br />Good luck Christy!!Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08006604809385748459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958408085379822190.post-57806320051054084622009-07-25T10:31:58.658-07:002009-07-25T10:31:58.658-07:00Regarding what you said about wishing you didn'...Regarding what you said about wishing you didn't know anything about parenting besides the old ways, I so totally relate. In fact, I think the hardest things for me to overcome in many parenting decisions (schooling, napping, discipline) are the thoughts "what do others think of me?" and "what am I 'supposed' to do?" (according to the whims of society). I also need to overcome my own laziness and the thought that I "need" some alone time to recoup. I end up spending the whole day sometimes trying to "steal" time for myself instead of focusing on what actually needs to be done, and in the end I am upset because nothing got done, and I never really had time for myself either. It's just something psychological that I need to overcome.<br /><br />Also, I would be very interesting in hearing your thoughts on that "no-cry" book you are reading once you have finished it. My now 3-year-old also has sleeping issues, which are manageable now but will be more difficult to deal with when we have another.Melissa Neacsuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07906373160898721335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958408085379822190.post-21157582015999541682009-07-25T07:30:22.330-07:002009-07-25T07:30:22.330-07:00Ma seems so good because she is portrayed through ...Ma seems so good because she is portrayed through Lauras eyes. A mother never lets her kids know her anguish, pain, suffering etc.I am sure she had her faults:) She had a small house, and all the kids had chores. It was a matter of survival.<br />As for Maggie, dont read any more books. Unless you write the book, the author doesnt know your baby.<br />I wouldnt lay down with her, I would just try try again to have her sleep where you want her to sleep.<br />As Katherine says, this too shall pass! That comes from the Queen of the bad sleeping babies!!!Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08006604809385748459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958408085379822190.post-64660009807976941132009-07-24T23:24:30.441-07:002009-07-24T23:24:30.441-07:00we dont have tv in moscow but we have our laptop -...we dont have tv in moscow but we have our laptop - we just finished season 1 dvd of little house with the kids. Ma is awesome - there is one where she loses her temper and actually yells at mary - but - hello - she almost burned the barn down with herself and the animals inside!<br /><br />as for sleep - I feel your pain. every baby is different - every baby has different sleep needs. Natasha (just turned 7 months this week) generally is up around 7:45am - takes a 35-45 min nap (falls asleep nursing, then sleeps in her crib) at 10ish, then another 40 min nap around 2 - sometimes longer - then a short nap around 6 - to bed for the night around 9/9:30 - she sometimes will sleep to 5 am - sometimes wakes at 2, then 5. sometimes she is up for the day at 5 then the nap scedule is all goofy for the day. sometimes I have to put her down 4 or 5 times before she will stay asleep in her crib. I wish she would nap longer, but you cant make them sleep. I think having a sleep ritual is good - with natasha I always sing puff the magic dragon - with pavel I recited from memory "the big red barn" by margaet wise brown - while they were going to sleep - eventually just hearing it made them sleepy. If I can tell she is tired, but just wont settle down, then in the stroller she goes and we walk around the yard (or with pav and maria we went for a drive).<br />I try and set a goal - fold all the laundry - sweep the kitchen - clean the toilets - whatever - then at least I can say - well the toilets got clean today! :-) is she sitting? can you put her on a blanket on the floor with some toys for a few minutes while you do whatever you need to do?<br />take a deep breath - this too shall pass. my mom always told me - you wont be worried about this when she is in kindergarten!katbathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16449056908312825422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958408085379822190.post-65510808815607876632009-07-24T22:09:17.542-07:002009-07-24T22:09:17.542-07:00I got to read this "fresh off the press!"...I got to read this "fresh off the press!" (a mere half hour after you posted it). <br /><br />Ma Ingalls is my hero too :) I don't know how she (or any of our foremothers) did it. Such inspiration! <br /><br />I enjoyed our phone chat last night. It's always so good to talk to you. I hope to see you soon, once things get a little clearer about our upcoming plans, etc. <br /><br />I'll keep you and "Magsda" in my prayers, I hope things improve with time! <br /><br />Love you so much!Xenia Kathrynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08880128865699100105noreply@blogger.com