Feeling Guilty?

J8Cash · December 2011

When DS is awake I love to play with him and talk to him. But, I also want him to be content when he is awake and not being held or entertained by someone.

There are times when I feel alittle guilty putting him in the seat or the swing when he's up... like I should be taking advantage of every second that he is up by talking to him and playing with him. Even know when he's awake the seat or swing he is happy as a clam. Especially the swing, he loves it!

Is is wrong for me to feel this way? Anyone else feeling this? Is this just a goofy FTM feeling?

m231 · December 2011

I feel it too...but then again, you have to sometimes take advantage of the precious time your LO is "letting" you do something else.

TomsShugShug · December 2011

I feel the same way too. I feel that if she's awake, I need to be talking to her or playing with her, but most of the time after she's eaten and been changed, she's perfectly content to swing in her swing or lay on her playmat. I feel guilty if I just leave her, but I know she's happy too.

megan.e.jensen@gmail.com · December 2011

I said this EXACT thing to my sister when we were just a week or so home from the hospital! She has 4 kids and said NO, don't feel guilty! Take advantage of the fact that LO is awake and content somewhere without you entertaining or picking him up. He needs to be OK with this in the long run. Quiet, calm time is important for LO too.

authorofdreamz · December 2011

I don't feel guilty because she is happier in her swing then with me holding her.

avalei · December 2011

Yes, this exactly! She'll be so animated when holding her, and if I put her down, she just quiets down... I want to keep holding her all the time (not just nearly all!)

mbgreenwalt · December 2011

It is normal to feel quilty. I feel quilty when I put her in the swing on the opposite side of the room. I try to interact with DD for 15-20 minutes when she is awake,but I don't like to overstimulate her. It is good for them to sit without interaction and just absorb their surroundings and start to build independence. You'll (hopefully) be thankful when they are a toddler and can play independently!

lkm2006 · December 2011

When LO is in his bouncy and I'm doing dishes, make up or whatever needs to be done at the time I turn on the baby Einstein station on the pandora radio. He really seems to like it and I feel like that provides some extra entertainment.

adri77 · December 2011

I know this will feel like such a looong way off for you, but....I was once in your shoes....and tried to spend the majority of my time interacting with DS1, feeling guilty if I didn't....and ultimately created a little guy who had NO idea how to entertain himself. It literally took till he was like 3+ before he was able to sit and play alone, NOT good when I had another one when he was 21 months old. With DS2, I just didn't have the time to play with him as much....he is AWESOME and independent play. So, I'm not saying to forget all about playing with him, but don't feel guilty by giving him some alone time, especially when he's older!

Vieve831 · December 2011

I know exactly what you mean because I feel guilty too. Also the awake happy times are so enjoyable. But he is more content being awake and alone than asleep and alone so it is my only opportunity to do things I need to.

I also read that quiet alert periods are times when our LO's are learning. This helps to ease my guilt!

rubycitrine · December 2011

I interact with him as much as I can, but I also need to get things done. He spends a small portion of his quiet alert time chilling in his bouncy seat or swing while I take a shower, do laundry, make meals, etc.

mrsjenniferg2010 · December 2011

With my first I would feel guilty, but it made him independent. As long as he was happy I let him sit. Once he cried I would get him. it made it easier when it came to getting chores done or taking a shower.

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