It is a fact being abundantly demonstrated to me of late, that one's IQ drops significantly when one is holding a baby. Perhaps it is because babies are learning things so quickly, that they need to sponge off the thinking power of those around them. I'm not sure why, I just know that it's significantly harder to remember things, plan things, or act intelligently when holding a baby.
Even sleeping babies aren't safe. They emit snorons, making the holder drowsy and prone to staring idly at walls or out windows, contemplating little but their relief that the baby is finally sleeping.
It is amazing how much of one's daily life a baby in the house eats up. For a few weeks there, while "mom" was in summer school, I seemed to be the primary caregiver, having the baby for up to ten hours in a day (sometimes as little as six, but mostly around eight or nine). But even on a "normal" day in Red House when I might only have the baby for three or four hours spread out across the day (although sometimes significantly more even without summer school), it is incredible how hard it is to be productive with the day.
The fact that I'm typing this post with a baby strapped to me seems almost herculean if you ask me.
3 comments:
I recall reading comments by Marion Zimmer Bradley in the introduction to one of her books (collection of short stories set in her world?) that she found it easiest to deal with her own children while they were babies and their needs were still basic--just pop them in a crib next to her and keep writing. I wonder if the difference in the reactions is due more to the difference in this particular baby, or how much you care about the baby's needs?
Not saying that she didn't care, mind you--but I can't see myself getting overly concerned about a baby--if I *had* to look after one, I don't know that I'd spend much time holding it--just keep it somewhere near enough to make certain that it didn't manage to kill itself whilst I was busy doing something more interesting than looking after a baby. (Yes, there is a very good reason my tubes are safely tied!)
Well, it's tempting at times. And sometimes I do just let her scream and make sure she doesn't kill herself when I'm too tired to do anything else.
But even if I was inclined to try, it's really hard to concentrate on anything else when she's letting loose blood curdling screams like she's being tortured to death at top volume.
But I hear babies do vary a lot in temperament and how much they cry and how much attention they require. My mom claims I was every bit as bad as Sky. But I met another friend's baby not long ago and she was much much quieter, much slower to get upset. On the other hand, there are babies that are even worse and will cry for ten hours straight!
And don't get me wrong. She's adorable and totally makes up for it in her good moments. When you walk in the room and she sees you and lights up with this huge grin--it's fantastic.
I'm glad to hear that there are rewards, too! And it is a good thing that if the house was blessed with a high-needs baby it was also blessed with way more than the normal (by today's standard) number of adults to look after her.
Have you tried wearing headphones of nice, loud, music when trying to ignore her "stop torturing me" screams? It probably isn't as good as turning off one's hearing aids, but it might help. :-)
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