It is almost time to start training our wee one - we have been saying no for the last few weeks - human nature I suppose. We aren't expecting her to obey but we can see she is familiar with the word and knows we will be moving her or taking something away from her when we say it.
Why this post? We practice attachment parenting rather strongly with our new blessings - breastfeeding on demand, baby wearing, co-sleeper etc. However, somewhere in the 9-11 month range we begin early child training. We train child to stay on a blanket, touch with one finger, respond quickly to the words come and no.
I have held them all for months as they wished to be held. Somewhere around the age of one that will change too. We will no longer pick up a crying baby. Learning to ask for up and wait for our response will be necessary. We will begin calling the around one year old child and interrupting their play to hold them to train them to accept being held at times they may not want to be. Our goal again is to have our toddler to ask to be put down but to accept our response without crying or whining.
I am listening to the deep breathing of Julianna in my ear as I type with one hand with her sleeping on my shoulder. She has been largely in charge of her schedule - who holds her - how long etc - controlling us with cries or sounds of disatisfaction. My sleeping peaceful child is a blessing, I know that it is almost time. In order to bring her to a place where she can willingly submit to God she must first learn to submit her will to her parents. The work of child training must begin soon - for now I will hold her and pray for her precious soul and life - while my heart treasures the last days of babyhood.
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