[blparent] how to handle a baby while you multi task

Wed Nov 14 18:41:15 UTC 2012

Hina,

Do you have a baby carrier that will let you carry the baby on you? If not,
you may want to use an old sheet to cut into strips and tie the baby on
while you work. It is not as convenient as the carriers, but will keep your
little one on you and not into things. You can usually pick up sheets at
thrift stores for a couple of dollars. You could also use the strips to
fashion a harness and leash if your little one is mobile and wants to move
around you while you work. This is not a pretty solution, but babies used to
sleep in empty dresser drawers and laundry baskets too. Do what you have to
do.

Sleep is really important for you too. Even if it means leaving some things
undone, you will function better in the long run with a good nights sleep. I
have parented with a husband who was mostly absent and whose priorities were
different than mine. I do understand how that changes the way you have to do
things.

I think we can give you more specific suggestions if you tell us how old
your little guy is and what kind of baby equipment you have. For example,
leaving the baby in the car seat carrier will be more fun for him if you
move it from room to room with you. You might also try putting it up on the
counter or kitchen table so he can be on the same level with you. I could
sometimes get a little more time by using my foot to rock the seat gently.
Fresh air can be nice too if you have a place you can open the window, or
sometimes just getting to look outside will make a good distraction.

Freedom of movement and floor time are good for a child's development,
however, you have to make sure everyone's needs are being met. My youngest
spent a lot of time in swings and other baby containment options. His
hearing aids were obstructed by the infant carriers and with two other boys
I had to worry about little toys and rough housing in addition to the usual
household hazards. He still developed right on time.

Jennifer

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of hina altaf
Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2012 2:43 PM
To: Blind Parents Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blparent] how to handle a baby while you multi task

hi everyone,
Thanks for the advise on how to handle the baby. I liked your options
about a rug,  play pen, swing and jumping seat but these are things I
wish I could afford. My husband has other responsibilities as well and
he helps alot with the baby when I am at work. I am not a citizen, so
I can't afford the day care and i do not prefer to keep my child in
day care but when you are the only person running the household
financially, you have no choice but to work.
But I appreciate the suggestions in regards to handling the baby and
will see if I could get any of these items. but if anyone has any of
these things that they are no longer using them, I would appreciate
them.
Thanks.
Hina.

On 11/14/12, Bernadetta <bernadetta_pracon at samobile.net> wrote:
> Rebecca,
> Woe, aren't you overstepping the line here a little? Don't answer that;
> I don't think you'll agree that you are.
> But unless you know hina and hina's situation on a more personal level
> than the rest of us, who are you to make assumptions on her
> relationship with her husband? While you may have one valid point, that
> parents might find that spending time together with their baby is more
> enjoyable than separately, you went ahead and made a bunch of comments
> about being miserable, about separation, etc.
> Correct me if I'm wrong here, but Hina asked us for suggestions on how
> to handle her child when she needs to multitask. She didnt' ask for a
> marriage councelor. There's no reason to be sticking one's nose into
> someone else's marital life when they haven't asked anyone to do so.
> Perhaps you think you're being helpful, but in case you haven't
> considered this, not everyone can afford to have one parent stay at
> home from work. Also, not everyone can afford to invest in daycare. In
> this case, both parents have to work alternating schedules, and there
> may be no way around it. Some people don't have certain luxuries, no
> matter how much they can benefit from them.
> So unless you know something I dont' know, let's not pit a new mother
> against her husband and tell her what she should and shouldn't do about
> her marriage and lifestyle. Let's instead support her as a parent and
> if she asks us for advice on her relationships and how her free time
> should be spent, then we can perhaps dispense that sort of advice.
> My partner and I are lucky enough to both work from home, and so we do
> have that cherrished time with our baby together, but even partners who
> are both with the baby constantly have to alternate responsibilities.
> Sometimes I feel like we're doing shifts and we both have two other
> jobs in conjunction with our paying jobs; Our home and our baby. Often
> we can enjoy time together as a family, but sometimes our household
> runs more eficiently and smoothly when we take turns.
> So it's nice that you have this wonderfully idealistic view of how co
> parenting should work, but as we all know, being a parent is a tough
> job. And while we're on the topic of tough jobs, a marriage wouldn't be
> a genuine partnership without a few tough times now and then. Anyone
> who feels they might disagree with me, please feel free to do so, but
> every relationship, no matter how good it is, is a work in progress.
> Even the best of them have occasional kinks.
> Again, as I said previously, the nature of your last message suggests
> that you know more about hina's situation than the rest of us do. If
> that's true, then that's nice of you to offer her advice, but  if
> you're just assuming, well... you know the old saying. when you assume,
> you make an ass out of you and me.
> Had to put my two cents worth in.
> Rant over now.
> And I sincerely hope we haven't scared Hina off with our tendencies to
> get too personal on here.
>
> Bernadetta
>
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