Family Group

Caelyn, Nigel and Wendy relaxing on my sofa.

They had come over because Caelyn had gone to an informal class at the mothers and babies centre. She always takes Wendy with her and she is happy to play quietly. Caelyn slipped out to go to the bathroom and when she got back, they had taken Wendy to the creche where she was very distressed and crying her heart out. Caelyn was discouraged from going to her "because she has to learn that she can't have her own way all the time" and "she's got to learn to be independant"

What poppycock!!! Wendy is only 13 months old! There will be plenty of time for her to learn to be independant at the developmentally appropriate time. It can damage a baby to be forced in to a developmental stage before they are ready. This sort of idea comes from the sort of person who tries to give a baby solid food and chocolate before they are a month old and who tries to potty train from 6 weeks. Its bizarre. cannot work and makes both mother and baby unnecessarily unhappy, so why do it? Babyhood is so brief, and the cares of adult life come soon enough.

Caelyn still breastfeeds Wendy so they still have a biological connection. Nature has programmed into her to be distressed when her baby is distressed and this mechanism probably came about for the survival of the species. Trying to stop these natural and primitve drives makes about as much sense as King Canute sitting on the beach commanding the sea to do what he wanted it to do.

Caelyn is an excellent mother and her baby is healthy and happy. Why mess with success? If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Caelyn says she isn't going back to those classes.