If an infant can't even ask a question, why would a parent say "no"? But some of the first words many babies hear are "No!" and "Don't" and "Stop." Even without the words themselves, if a baby reaches out and the parent pushes his hand back or ignores him, that is a big "no." If a baby cries and the parent ignores him, or puts him down roughly, or leaves the room and closes the door, that is not even nearly in the realm of "yes."
When one of the partners is in pain, the partnership isn't doing very well. And it's not a fifty-fifty partnership; nor is anything in the whole world. In the case of a mother who can walk and talk, access water and maybe drive a car, she can't expect a newborn baby to do half the work. If she gives him everything she can, he will give back as much as he has, not just then, but for years to come if she doesn't screw it up.
SandraDodd.com/babies/infants
photo by Sandra Dodd
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As a mother of a baby, I thank you for this. This line especially moved me:
ReplyDeleteIf she gives him everything she can, he will give back as much as he has, not just then, but for years to come if she doesn't screw it up.
Thank you for this amazing reminder!
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