Cui bono? Pater bono!
I recently posted an image on Facebook of young Jack sleeping with a caption that read something along the lines of “Finally! Everyone, shush! Sssshhhhh!”
Jack is going through an increasingly vocal stage and had, that day, been resistant to napping at his usual times and dad (me) was exhausted and grateful when after an afternoon bottle of milk he gave up the fight and eventually passed out in me arms. Jack slept. And I finally got a chance to catch some z’s meself.
Glorious.
On Facebook, a friend had posted a bit of advice that suggested that it’s not a bad idea to get Jack used to sleeping with noise happening around him. It would make life easier for both of us if we didn’t get him too used to quiet environments for nap time.
It’s good advice, and it was thoughtful of him to share it. The “shush” time was actually more for me. I’m a light sleeper in most cases these days and the quiet was a gift to me, not necessarily to the boy. The boy could sleep through a hurricane in most instances.
Before I had enough hands available to reply to the Facebook advice with appreciation for the thought and such, the post had been deleted.
Why?
He thought maybe the advice was a bit too condescending–like he’s telling me stuff I already know, or that perhaps he was overstepping or something like that.
In truth, he was not. His advice was most welcome as is any and all advice.
I am never going to turn away or ignore good advice. Lordie… why would I? I’ve made it clear in past posts that we’re parenting by the seat of our baby-drool-stained pants. I certainly don’t know everything, or even half of anything. So if’n y’all got some good advice?
Go for it.
I can’t imagine how Margaret and I would be faring if we didn’t have the help and advice of friends and family. I can’t imagine how anyone could do it. We’ve gotten great advice over the past four months. Butt rash cream, bottle brands, types of “saucer chairs”, etc. We get offers of help as well whether it be from someone coming to the house to sit with the boy for a couple of hours while I try to catch up on housework to deals on infant formula (which we didn’t need, but were very appreciative of the offer. I hear that stuff can get expensive!).
So we are grateful for help and advice, wherever it comes from, whenever, and whatever. If it doesn’t apply, then no hu-hu. No harm or foul. It’s great to know you care.
And to other new dads out there perhaps reading this, I encourage you to… take this advice… and accept help and advice from your own community of friends and family. Ir really isn’t a bad cliche to say “it takes a village…” It’s pretty spot-on real.
Thanks!
–John
P.S. Jack turns four months today. I can’t decide if time has flown or crawled. Either way, we’re very happy. Happy Four-Month-Day, Jack!
