Ms. Fischer's statement made me crazy. No wonder children today are rebelling and out of control. People like Ms. Fischer, who claim to be experts on child rearing know nothing of what makes a baby content. In my opinion, they have no conception of the bonding process.
For years psychologists all over the world have been telling us that rocking a baby to sleep is a "bonding" experience for both mother and Baby. Rocking and singing give the child a sense of security and well-being. Baby will be more content, sleep longer and be better adjusted if he is rocked, cuddled and sung to sleep. Babies don't care if we can carry a tune. They only want to feel safe in their environment.
My grandmother lived on a farm in rural Ontario. She has no electricity, no running water and no indoor plumbing. Her work load was extensive. She had six children. I well remember her advice when I was expecting my daughter.
"No matter how busy you are, always take the time to rock and sing to the baby. It creates a sense of security that makes a baby content."
Yes, though Grandma worked from dawn to dusk, she took time out to rock her babies. When they grew up, she had a special relationship with each of them.
The problem with society today is that they have their priorities wrong. Which is more important, a clean, sparkling house or Baby's well-being. We put too much emphasis on material things and appearances. We need to get back to basics.
Bonding with Baby should be your first priority. Rocking Baby doesn't disrupt his sleep patterns. If anything, it makes them smoother. So what if Baby begins to associate rocking and singing with sleep? So what if we have to get up in the wee hours of the morning to rock Baby? Isn't this part of our responsibility as parents? Yes, we may be deprived of a half hour's sleep. Yes, our sleep patterns may be broken. Yes, we may have to drag our butts around the next day. Why do parents today think that their needs come before that of their children? Could this be part of the reason that today's youth have so many problems? Could this be why they shoot their classmates, parents and friends? Food for thought. Possibly they're feeling unloved, insecure and cannot cope with feelings of rejection and abandonment?
So, no matter what Ms. Fischer and her cronies say, rock Baby - sing to him, cuddle him and show him he is loved.
