editors' tips: adjusting to the new baby / part 2
When we brought our new baby, Ben, home from the hospital, our two-year-old, Alex, was utterly distraught (despite their smooth introduction detailed in "Adjusting to the New Baby / Part 1"). Feeling abandoned, he acted out his jealousy in ways both naughty and heart-wrenchingly sad. When I was able to pull myself together a few weeks later (though I wish it had been sooner), I left the baby with our nanny and took Alex out alone. We only had about an hour before I had to get back for more nursing, but it didn't matter. The two of us walked to a nearby pet store to survey the fish, lizards, and turtles, then shared a croissant on the way home. I hadn't seen Alex so happy in months. The twinkle in his eyes (that had disappeared in recent weeks) was back. And I was happy, too, for a few reasons. First, it was wonderful to be out with a toddler who could walk and talk, versus a mysterious all-I-do-is-eat-sleep-cry-and-poop newborn in a stroller. I also realized how much I had missed him--that it's a two way street, and I need to be with him as much as he needs to be with me. Finally, I saw how resilient children are--just an hour of alone time made up for weeks of feeling disconnected. I think we both felt totally energized after our outing. I didn't even care that I hadn't slept at all the night before!
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