November 27th, 2005

I love how he grasps my fingers with all his little might when he’s tired and settling down to sleep. He pulls my hand to his face and doesn’t let go.
My heart swells. It is indescribable, this feeling of being wanted and needed. I drink it up, breathe it in. It fills me up.
I know I shouldn’t indulge him with too much coddling. There is a balance that I need to find, where he can know he’s secure in me, that he is wanted and needed and loved, and where I know he’s developing self-confidence, trust, and independence.

It is difficult for me. I caress his sweet little face until he drifts off to sleep. I slowly pry my fingers away.

This entry was posted on Sunday, November 27th, 2005 at 1:38 PM and is filed under motherhood. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

4 Responses to “Finding balance”

blackbird Says:

okay.
I just want you to know –
I did an experiment with my Youngest.
I gave him ENTIRELY TOO MUCH CODDLING.
And he
Is normal and like to cuddle.

I say – coddle away! coddle a lot!
coddle all the live long day!

Suse Says:

I have to agree with blackbird.

The more cuddling and coddling they get, the happier and more secure they will be. You can NEVER coddle too much!

(In my opinion).

Besides, it’s such a great word.

coddle
coddle
CODDLE!

Sarah Ann Smith Says:

Cuddle, coddle, hug, smooch, tease, tickle, love, then do it more…. I used to live in Africa, and the Americans always noticed that African babies rarely cry. Why Because they are swaddled to their moms all day–close and snug and safe. They only fuss if hungry or wet. Seems like a good thing, to me. My boys are 12 and 7 now, and they are good, loving boys, and fall asleep on their own. Cuddle!

Cheers, Sarah (who surfed into here somehow through one of the art quilters…)

SueeeuS Says:

Armed with your collective Seal of Approval, I shall henceforth coddle guilt-freely and with much ado and aplomb. PHEW!