Ever feel overwhelmed by all the developmental do's and don'ts?

Megan Briggs

I get a few different emails about baby's development, we've read books, etc.  There are so many suggestions of things to do and things to not do.  I think we do a lot to stimulate her physical and cognitive development, but I feel like a useless piece of crap for a mother when I read all this stuff...

 

melissab07

Yes I feel useless when I read that stuff too.  Or even talk to friends with kids the same age who may be doing more.  I decided to try not to read so much into this stuff since the pedi told me he is right where he should be, and ahead in some places.  It stressed me out too much to hear "oh my son is doing this," and made me feel Aiden was behind.  So yes, I understand where you are coming from.

kgb1411

Get rid of those books.  Read this book:  Perfect Madness:  Motherhood in the Age of Anxiety  by Judith Warner.   Lanie recommended it a few weeks ago.  Not everything she (Ms. Warner) says is right, but it definitely helped ease some of my anxiety.

littleittybitty

No, I am doing what I can for my baby - giving him unconditional love and support. I dont care what books have to say about when they should do this or that - I know my baby is healthy and progressing at his own rate.

I would see where it would become overwhelming and that is exactly why I dont stress on everylittle thing. Just enjoy your baby!

litzo27

I really liked the book Einstein Never Used Flash Cards. It really made me more mellow about the race to have the most advanced baby. To sum the book up - the most important thing a baby (and a toddler) does is play. Play with mommy, with blocks, books, stuffed animals, cups, cardboard boxes, other kids, whatever. And mommy doesn't need to create "supervised" and "developmental" play environment.

auburnbride2be

I don't worry about it too much, but thoughts creep into my head especially on here when DD didn't sit up on her own when everyone else's seemed to and she isn't eating a lot of finger foods like others are, etc. If something seemed really wrong, I would worry, but so far we've been lucky enough not to have to think about anything major. I try to relax and not be such a control freak. I know I am a good mom and I am doing all I can possibly do for my child.

Amy Schramm

I am WAY overwhelmed by it-- I'm so Type A. ?It's almost all I think about when I'm with him. ?It's a good thing I work 3 days/week-- I'd drive myself and him nutso. ?

n&bcarlson

Stop reading the books.  Seriously, throw them away.  The magazines, too.  If they give you some ideas to try something new, great.  If they cause dissatisfaction and anxiety, they are harmful. There is nothing a mother of average caring and intelligence can do to ruin her child.  And nothing she can do to turn her baby into a genius.  Neurosis over getting it "right," however, can travel through the generations like a cancer.  It will only result in a child that grows up feeling he or she always needs to be just a little bit better, just a little bit more, than what he or she is.  Just enjoy being a mom.  Your kid is going to turn out fine.

uhlerj

ABSOLUTELY!  Probably because my DD is one of the one's who is "delayed" according to the development charts. She JUST rolled from back to tummy and is still not crawling.