I have always loved babies. But there truly is nothing quite like loving your own. That might have something to do with the fact that I helped make them, that they grew inside me and that they are the literal personification of the love that I share with my husband.
I don't know about you, but sometimes I can't help but wonder why we don't remember how amazing it was to be a baby. Why we can't recall the incredible amount of love that was bestowed upon us and the infinite number of kisses and cuddles that were lavished. Of course I realise that not everyone receives a happy introduction to this world but I can only draw from my own experiences.
The adoration of babies is universal, it's cross cultural and primal. A little baby is adored wherever they go. I think it's the only time in life when you are really completely, unconditionally loved. It's too early for negativity of any kind to infiltrate your world. You are innocent, precious, beloved.
Spending precious moments with my almost 5 month old son has probably got me thinking these thoughts all over again, but I do remember pondering this exact thing when Miss 2 was tiny - why don't we have any recollection of this amazing time? I suppose even though we have no recall, the positive influence those early days, months and years have on our grown up selves is paramount. The emotions we experience shapes who we become and how we are as adults.
Watching my 2 year old interact with other kids and becoming her own wee increasingly independent person now, it saddens me that her innocence is dissipating - only a little at a time - but occurring nevertheless. She is learning that not everyone loves her, that not everyone thinks she's cute, that other children/people aren't necessarily always kind and caring and compassionate. And although it's part of growing up, it breaks my heart to watch the shift. I don't want her to see that side of life, I don't want her to ever be hurt.
Arrrrgggghhhhhh, who said this parenting business was easy!?
I've just started reading a fascinating book called "Brain Rules for Babies" which may just answer some of my questions! I'll get back to you on that! Check it out if you feel so inclined, it came to me highly recommended.
Hope you're having a great week....
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Who said Little Miss 2 isn't cute?? I will give them a knuckle sandwich! I wonder why babies can't stay babies? Can we just give them a potion to drink so that they just stay small and innocent their whole lives? I would love that. Let's work on it.
ReplyDeleteThere's an article in last week's New Scientist about this very topic - childhood amnesia. The theory is that we can't remember anything until we have language - ie that we need words to label concepts and therefore be able to retain them. So at the moment our bubbas are just experiencing from moment to moment: just feelings, sensations, needs, wants, without actually forming specific memories as such.
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