I got some flack for my declaration to resist babyproofing on my post yesterday (but isn’t that the fun of a blog? freedom of speech and expressing opinions to promote discussion?) To make up for it (or perhaps enrage others more), here’s my promised Part 2 regarding Babyproofing: In lieu of babyproofing, I’m beginning to teach my sweet little LadyP where she can and can’t go in our home via philosophy of Cesar Millan from National Geographic WILD’s “Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan.” In other words, I’m kinda treating my baby like a puppy. Afterall, her little bottom looks like a poodle waging it’s tail when she crawls, she’s starting to create a unique breathy ‘panting’ style of laughing, and I certainly don’t refrain from petting her on the back when she crawls into my lap. It’s like I have a pet!
Now don’t get huffy. I’m not putting her outside to pee or making her drink from a doggy bowl, but I AM attempting to establish who the alpha dog is in our house. (Hint: it’s not her… nor should it be.) Just like Cesar, I’ve been working on making myself the non-negotioable boss through stern but lovable tactics the last few weeks. Guess what: They’re actually working.
I started this experiment a few weeks ago per my own mom’s recommendation to begin teaching her what’s ok and what’s not ok (“She’s almost nine months now… you can start teaching her,” Mom said). When LadyP crawled toward something dangerous, I got in front of her, halted her in her tracks, stopped smiling, looked her square in the eyes and proclaimed “NO” in my most even-tempered, best mom-voice (with an even better well-rehearsed mom-look). She would then gaze up at me, eyes wide, and miraculously STOP whatever she was doing and wherever she was going. I’d then change her direction, smile and go back to being fun-mommy. We would repeat this over and over again… near the plugs, near the old computer printer on the floor, near Hubby’s weights, next to the hole in the floor of our kitchen (which was supposed to be finished 2 weeks ago, but I digress). Some days were more challenging than others, but like Cesar instructs his clients: I kept my tone the same, I didn’t give in and I showed her love when she did something right.
Now? All I have to do is say “NO” in that same way and she actually listens. She hears me, sits up, whips her head & body around, looks at me and smiles just before changing direction. (At which point I then giggle and praise her.) I’m not kidding. Who knows how long this luck will last, but I think it just might buy me some time before I must give up and relinquish to babyproofing anything. I’m riding this train as far as it will take me.
In the meantime, Cesar Millan, go pitch another show with you starring as a baby expert. You’ve got one guaranteed viewer right here.
(By the way, please don’t mention this treating-your-baby-like-a-puppy thing to Hubby. It might not go over that well.)