I'm in no position to give advice, but here goes anyway.
Next summer go to the beach. The South Shore of Long Island (NY) would be good. Sit near the lifeguards where the families all sit. And watch the mothers.
Many of them develop an admirable, James Bond-like, unflappable quality. Learn to imitate that, even if you don't feel it. Learn to pretend that you're doing the crossword puzzle or reading a book. Pretty soon you'll start feeling better and the wee princeling will be happier, too (if that's possible; the beach is already Paradise enough for kids).
Give them space to be themselves, from day one. If they want to be wrapped and cuddled, fine. If they fight to get their arms free/want more control over their physical self, equally fine. What you've got there is a bundle of personality, all new and bright, and you're going to be the best father that bundle could possibly want because you have patience, observation and understanding (it's in everything you write). Congratulations!
Thank you Ellie, I will try to bear this in mind. I suppose a child is more like a garden than a piece of carpentry – I'm there to cultivate rather than produce a particular end result. And thank you so much for your generous subscription, again! I really do appreciate it.
I'm in no position to give advice, but here goes anyway.
Next summer go to the beach. The South Shore of Long Island (NY) would be good. Sit near the lifeguards where the families all sit. And watch the mothers.
Many of them develop an admirable, James Bond-like, unflappable quality. Learn to imitate that, even if you don't feel it. Learn to pretend that you're doing the crossword puzzle or reading a book. Pretty soon you'll start feeling better and the wee princeling will be happier, too (if that's possible; the beach is already Paradise enough for kids).
Best of Luck!
P.S. Don't think about sharks.
Never have unflappability, insouciance, sangfroid seemed more admirable or less achievable than they do now.
Give them space to be themselves, from day one. If they want to be wrapped and cuddled, fine. If they fight to get their arms free/want more control over their physical self, equally fine. What you've got there is a bundle of personality, all new and bright, and you're going to be the best father that bundle could possibly want because you have patience, observation and understanding (it's in everything you write). Congratulations!
Thank you Ellie, I will try to bear this in mind. I suppose a child is more like a garden than a piece of carpentry – I'm there to cultivate rather than produce a particular end result. And thank you so much for your generous subscription, again! I really do appreciate it.
Congratulations!
Thank you Tina!
1. Prophylactic Sudocrem. Slather it on. Easier than fixing a red, sore bottom later.
2. Read to them.
3. Delay screens as much as possible.
That's all my really really useful advice. They are their own people and will grow up their own way. Everything else is you doing your best and luck.
Thank you, sounds like excellent advice to me. Especially the sudocrem.