Raising Jerard

Often, Jam and I would fight over “raising” Jerard. When Jerard cries, I would usually trip over myself to rush to his side. I’d offer breasts, diapers or my loving embrace. Jam, however, would scold me for spoiling the baby. He’s for letting Jerard cry for at least 5 minutes, waiting until the little cries become wails of anger and frustration.

Not more than once I shared Jerard’s frustration. Although I agree with Jam (as most parents also do) that children should not be spoiled, as a mother, my instinct is to pick my baby up and comfort him. I do not think that my doting on him, helpless as he is at this young age (1 month), would create a brat of him two-three-five or ten years from now. I have pored over books and Internet articles and have found no advocate for letting babies cry their eyes out. Neither could I see any sense in doing so. For me, babies cry because they are needy, not because they want to spoil their parents' day. There are no hidden agendas. Besides, their needs are simple and basic. Food, sleep, a little attention and some tender lovin' care.

The sooner I meet my baby's needs, the sooner he calms down. The sooner he stops crying. The sooner he is pacified. And the sooner I can get on to what I was doing. Selfish?

Besides, I only have until the first of March before I report back to work. While I have been sitting here thinking I'm gonna get "house fever" if I stay home one more day, I cannot even begin to think of being separated from Jerard for a day. One hour to go to the drugstore is hard, four hours to attend a birthday dinner was a major anxiety issue for me...But ten-twelve hours? I think I need therapy. So I know I should make the most of the remaining days until I resume being mommy dynamo.