Joy, meanwhile, stays pretty stationary, content to play with one toy for a while before moving on to the next one (that may be partly because Nathan’s toys are all new to her, and therefore hold her attention longer). She is also much more serious than Nathan, which is no surprise considering her parentage. I think there were a few times when she found her playmate’s energy overwhelming, and wanted us to pick her up so she could distance herself from the whirlwind of activity on the floor for a few minutes.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Different Strokes
We babysat Nathan Pulsipher tonight. It shouldn’t surprise me that babies can be so dissimilar, but I was still struck by the vast difference between these two children. Nathan is five days younger than Joy, yet he crawls twice as fast, pulls himself to a standing position, and even walks if you help hold him steady. He has an enormous amount of energy, and is constantly switching from one toy to another. He also has a perpetual smile on his face.
Joy, meanwhile, stays pretty stationary, content to play with one toy for a while before moving on to the next one (that may be partly because Nathan’s toys are all new to her, and therefore hold her attention longer). She is also much more serious than Nathan, which is no surprise considering her parentage. I think there were a few times when she found her playmate’s energy overwhelming, and wanted us to pick her up so she could distance herself from the whirlwind of activity on the floor for a few minutes.
Joy, meanwhile, stays pretty stationary, content to play with one toy for a while before moving on to the next one (that may be partly because Nathan’s toys are all new to her, and therefore hold her attention longer). She is also much more serious than Nathan, which is no surprise considering her parentage. I think there were a few times when she found her playmate’s energy overwhelming, and wanted us to pick her up so she could distance herself from the whirlwind of activity on the floor for a few minutes.
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8 comments:
Nothing shows you how different children can be like having your little one interact with another. Jake has three cousins exactly his age, and they all do things at different times. Jake learned how to crawl before most of them, but he's still having a hard time sleeping through the night. They just plain do things differently. I also feel like with some of the things he is or was behind on, he just had little motivation to do them. We are working on getting him to stand up on his own, and I really think he can do it, he just doesn't see the point in standing there for no reason. It's all in time, I guess. It's certainly fun to watch each milestone reveal itself.
All the parenting magazines and books always say that we shouldn't compare the progress of our children against the progress of other children. It is so hard not to! Will it be like this the rest of our lives?!
Just before Joy arrived, a friend and veteran parent (her baby is 5 months older :) warned me not to make myself crazy comparing my child's progress to others'. I think I've done a pretty good job of not stressing over it, but it's still interesting to see several babies of practically the same age reach milestones at very different times.
To give ann example Christopher was 3 grades ahead on reading, he still is, which has caused alot of problems because the school district doesn't ever know exactly what to do, and Christopher gets bored real easy and then starts acting up. Lauren is going at a slower pace and is at normal reading level and has no hassel with the school. It's weird you would think the school district would honor and try to put chris in a higher class for reading. The world views things in a wild way and it changes every day. I just go with the pace and pray.hahah.
I agree with everyone else, and I applaud you for not getting worked up over it. I definitely was and still can be a victim of comparing and stressing!
That picture is so cute. Joy's expression looks like she is saying, "what are you doing up there? the toys are down here!"
Serena, that must be so frustrating for him. And you make a good point - you'd think we'd look for ways to encourage excellence, not stifle it.
yeah, it truly is completely amazing to me. we have a friend who's little preston is one week younger than aidan. and preston is content to sit there quietly and play (no signs of interest in crawling) they are 7 months now.
whereas aidan is crazy, wants to explore everything. has been pulling himself up for seomtime and is trying to walk, he now can stand pretty well. and he crawls like a maniac which he has since he was 4.5 mos. crazy how they develop sooooo differently.
but life would be boring if we were all the same. yes, you shouldnt compare ... but it's interesting, no?
I must admit that I have a hard time not comparing...poor little Joy being terrorized by my sweet little Nathan. Yes, he is a handful! Sorry Joy! :)
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