Something weird happened lately—I think I am really starting to be a parent.
“It’s about fucking time,” you are probably thinking. “Mark is almost eleven-month-old!”
Yeah, well, it is not that simple. At first, you are so tired, dazed and confused that your only goal is making it through the day. For that, you divide your time between 1) What has to be done (feeding, changing, bathing, putting to sleep) 2) What should be done (cleaning, working, eating, taking a shower) 3) What you wish you could do (take a break, enjoy the moment). Honestly, I barely remember anything from October to January. I can picture myself—well, a very bland version of myself—circling the block, in the snow and in the dark, trying to take a sanity break. I’d invariably feel guilty about it, and I would rush home, even more stressed out than I had been, to a crying baby.
Rinse and repeat for days, weeks and months. Honestly, I have no idea how we made it through these dark and cold months.
I had never felt that tired and lost my entire life. I think I must have looked okay—and I probably sounded somewhat coherent because no one really questioned my work or my sanity—but trust me, I was not.
It got better, little by little. Not fast enough, mind you.
The following few months, I have been successively and sometime simultaneously: a human pacifier, the lady who changes diapers, the lady who gets soap in Mark’s eyes during bath time, a nice pillow to sleep on, the lady who makes bottle after bottle of formula, the lady who takes pictures, a face to smile at, a face to scream at, a face to look at.
A baby’s needs are very primal. And as a mother, my role was basically to meet these needs. Our days revolved around feeding, cleaning, and sleeping. No time for anything else. For each problem, there was (hopefully) a basic solution. Mark cried because he was hungry, uncomfortable, tired, wet, etc. It was just a matter of figuring out what was wrong and the world was peaceful again—at least for an hour or so.
Problem, solution. I’m telling you, babies are straightforward human beings. They just need a good instruction manual.
But Mark changed. He is no longer a small baby.
It all started in France. Suddenly, Mark simply refused to be fed by anyone else than me. Usually, Feng gives him a bottle or two during the day—we split the job. Well, it wasn’t working anymore.
The first few times, I gave in and fed Mark. After all, he had to eat. I figured he was confused, adapting to a new environment.
Eventually, I got tired of it. One morning, Feng was attempting, once again, to feed him. I was working on the computer. I heard Feng sigh. “He is not eating, Juliette.”
I was busy and stressed out. I had to finish my translation and mail it back. I got up and walked to Mark, in the couch with his dad.
“Alright buddy,” I said, somewhat angrily. “Enough playing around. Either you eat with your dad, either you are skipping that meal. Your choice.”
Mark cried for a minute or two. Then he ate. With Feng. After that, he didn’t fuss around anymore and his dad was able to give him his bottle without drama.
That’s when I realized that Mark was now a smart little kid, able to “fool” us and able to “manipulate” us to get what he wanted. I know, these are strong words, hence the quotation marks. Still, he seemed to understand the world and people more than we had thought.
Around the same time, he started crawling and exploring his surroundings alone. Obviously, he was attracted by the very same things we didn’t want him to play with—power outlets, wires, fragile stuff, etc.
I started to say “no” and “non”. And Mark clearly understood the meaning of these little words. I’d say “non” with an I-am-not-kidding face and he would stop right there and look at me as if thinking “meh, you are NOT fun!”
When crawling on the grass, he tried to eat leaves and flowers. “Mark… non!” I’d say. He would stop, stare at me and slowly bring the flower to his mouth, almost defiantly. “Non.” He’d put it back on the ground, smiling. I’d look away and he would glance at me. “Non.”
We could play that game for a good ten minutes. Yes, kids that young can apparently try to defy authority. I had no idea.
Setting limits for a baby feels weird. But apparently, that’s what he needs, and it’s working.
He is young and he doesn’t understand everything. I didn’t get mad at him when he broke a salad bowl at my parents’ place—that was my mistake, it was within his reach and it shouldn’t have been. I will not be mad at him because he is attempting to chew on shoes or because he tore the paper into pieces—he is experimenting. But I do take my “deep voice” if he messes around with his food too much (i.e. throwing it on the floor to call for attention) or if he decides to scream at thetop of his lungs because I am not looking at him.
And he seems okay with that.
Parenting starts earlier than I had thought. Kids are smart, they understand. They test the limits you set.
Gee, this is just the beginning, I’m afraid…!
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Hi Zhu,
OMG yes Mark is growing if he is learning the subtile art of manipulation. All part of the growing process, just like learning from you both where your limits are.
Day by day and don’t forget the hugs. 🙂
Must be his French side (the manipulation, that is!) 😆
I was amazed when I saw this with friends’ kids too, but they really are clever at that age! I think the trick is to be clear about the limits at this age, then they continue to respect you later on when it’s harder to stop them doing whatever they want. I also have the impression that this is something French parents get a lot less hung up about than some other nationalities – they certainly seem to have fewer guilt trips and do less negotiating than British parents!
I was shocked as well!
Hi Zhu! Having been there twice I can talk with a tiny air of authority, my boys are now almost 19 & 12 and a half and I just about survived the whole toddler experience.
Firstly the good news, Mark learning this behavior at such a young age is a sign of intelligence, who knows you may have a genius on your hands! Secondly no matter how exhausting you must keep up with the No/Non, the clever little monkeys can spot a tiny bit of weakness and exploit it and you’ll just be making it hard for yourself in the future. Keep it up, it sounds like you are doing a great job!
Thank you for the feedback! It’s good to hear from someone who’s been down that road 🙂
Oh no!! It is starting 😉 now for the toddler tantrums I am afraid!! I love watching them develop into miniature people though. It is my favourite age group to teach!!!
It’s exactly that, “miniature people”! Like you, I like toddlers, they are more fun than babies… I am not a baby person.
LOL reading this post is like seeing my niece all over again! She did the same thing and more. You are doing great ! Mark cannot win this battle lol !
Phew, so Mark isn’t the only one!
Yes..babies are smart and we are always ‘conned’ 🙂 Which is well, D has always been the stern disciplinary master so to speak as I am often too ‘soft’ to the point of pampering them…*sigh* so you can imagine the number of quarrels we have had but now…it is something we laughed at 😀
Happy parenting and stay cool Zhu 😀
I can imagine these discussions… it’s important for parents to be on the same page but it is not always easy to find that same page!
We are currently having obstacles with listening all of the time rather than when we want to listen.. Along with I’m a big girl and I’ll do it “toute seule”.. Fun times to come. 🙂 I know you are doing it right!
Ah, the “toute seule” stage! I remember that one with my brother and sister. Cool but not great when you need to get things done 😆
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[…] I say “no” or “non” multiple times a day. He is fine with it. Kids need limits, right? I taught him to wait. The world isn’t going to end if he doesn’t get food/attention/toys right away. […]