walking

Now, I'm all for following the child.  We breastfeed on demand, we do not let him cry it out at night, we pick him up and cuddle and respond.  We are committed to not being parents who rush their child or excessively praise him for completing tasks that are developmentally appropriate.  No "good job!" for rolling over.  No "good job!" for learning to crawl.  No "good job!" for learning how to feed himself.  Only "Yes, you're doing it!" or, "You should be proud of yourself!"  Nit-picky?  Probably.  How we're going to continue to parent?  Hell yes.

Here's the dilemma.  WALKING.

J has been pulling himself up to standing since he was nearly 6 months old.  We assumed that he'd not only be walking by 9 months but running!  Well assumptions are just that - ready to be debunked.  Here we are at 10 months and he cruises like a maniac and can stand unassisted when he is distracted.  But walking?  Nope, not yet.

But, man, this boy can bite it!  He can be happily cruising along furniture all lackadaisical.  Then he will remember that he's standing on his own two feet and BAM!  He's not only hit the floor, but his face hit everything on the way down.  2 shiners, my friend, has our child donned in the last 10 months of life.

So no, we will not rush his development.  We will not excessively praise him for things that naturally unfold.

But learning to walk?  In a coordinated fashion?  Sans black eye?  Letting Mama sigh with relief?

GOOD JOB, J!

GOOD JOB, GOOD JOB, GOOD JOB!