When pregnant I wanted to do everything right for my son. I read every book. I watched what I ate, took my vitamins, slept, drank water, and exercised.
I promised myself that my son wouldn’t watch television until he was three, that I would read to him every night, I’d cloth diaper, I’d potty train early, I would provide routine for him, I would do baby sign, and I would feed him all natural, organic, homemade food.
Yep, I was that pregnant woman. I didn’t live up to most of my hopes for parenting. Reality quickly settled in. I know some parents can do it. I’m amazed by them and I admire them. But, hell, I admire most parents nowadays. I’m in awe that we as a people can do this job and not screw up entirely.
Anyways, we tried baby sign. We felt entirely silly signing to a baby who was unresponsive, and often screaming. We stopped being consistent. We never saw any sign that he was getting it. So we gave it up.
Then, I kept seeing babies do it. I saw them everywhere. They were signing please when they wanted something. Sorry when they did something wrong. Thank you when you gave them something. It was unreal how many babies were getting it.
So, we tried it again. We decided to keep it with two signs because we knew our inability to be consistent. We worked on “All Done” and “More.”
And, after about a month… he got it. Suddenly he was repeating us and saying “All Done” or “More” with his hands. They aren’t perfect signs. His “All Done” is usually a certain movement with one of his hands instead of both of his hands. But, he is communicating to us and we understand. He is still learning to do it all the time. He mostly repeats us. But, occasionally he will do it all on his own when he wants more food or when he is all done with some activity. And, I’m in love with it. It is so nice that he doesn’t have to be frustrated with us for not understanding him.
Next on our list of signs to work on? Please and Thank You.
Did you do baby sign? What are your tips on making it work?
