today for the first time, ben fussed not because he needed something, but because he wanted me to come get him. he was playing in his bed while i loaded the dishwasher, perfectly safe and comfortable, and i heard this little whiny sound. i knew immediately what was happening. we had crossed the threshold.
caron said her mother gave her the following advice: let the baby fuss for ten minutes. leave the room. if the fussing bugs you, put on your head phones. ten minutes. then go in. do this every day, maybe a couple of times a day, until the baby learns to be okay in their bed without you for a little while. then she said, you know, mothers in the bible had to get a lot of stuff done. they didn't spend all their time holding their babies. and people like moses and abraham grew up just fine, you know? so don't feel guilty. i suppose this is common sense advice, but it was good to be reminded. if moses' and abraham's mothers and even the virgin mary let their babies fuss a little, i guess that's good enough for me.
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