When we were children, we depended on our parents to help us grow, provide us with food, clothing, shelter, and nurture us. However, as we grew older, we became more independent, learning how to do things for ourselves, and care for ourselves. This independence does not last very long because when you have a baby you are not putting yourself first anymore, it is not the baby that you attend to first. Throughout this course, we have learned about the many responsibilities of parenthood and the amount of effort it requires. Being given a baby to take care of for a week gave me a better sense as to how having a real baby would be life.
When I first received my baby, I thought it would be a fun experience, and that taking care of a baby couldnt possibly be that difficult. However, as the days progressed, I had new responsibilities. The baby had to be brought with me everywhere I went. Had it been left unattended, it would have cried, and I would not be able to hear it.
Also, I could not sleep peacefully during the night as it would usually cry and wake me up every 3-4 hours. This made me feel exhausted and tired, but I learned that it was something that had to be dealt with when having a child. As in real life, when a baby cries, you must attend to its every need, such as changing it and feeding it. You cannot simply ignore it because then you are neglecting your child.
Another difficulty I encountered was the fact that I had to be very careful with the baby. At times I would forget about holding it in an upright position and it would start to cry. Similarly, when a mother is taking care of her newborn, she is forgets that it is necessary to keep the baby held in an upright position in order to prevent it from getting hurt, and by also supporting the neck. Another thing I had to worry about was it not being rough handled by others, or that I did not bump into anything or drop it accidentally.
The Essay on The value of play for babies and young children
Walk on tip-toes. Running, stopping and starting. Jump up and down on the spot. Jump a distance. Crawl through a barrel or tunnel. Throw, catch and kick a ball. Carrying and passing, Climbing, Swinging, Sliding, Cycling / driving wheeled toys, Dancing and moving to action rhymes. Basic physical and outdoor activities develop body management, balance, bodily co-ordination, strength, agility and ...
Although this experience was challenging at times, it helped me understand how it is to go through parenthood. You have to be committed at all times, always caring for your baby, protecting it from harm. I realized a baby requires a lot of help, and in the future, it is a big decision to make because it is something that must be thoroughly thought out. It is important to have a loving, committed partner, as well as a good job to support your new family. I think you should have a baby when you are in a stable occupation and relationship, and are emotionally, financial, and physically able and willing to accept numerous responsibly.
