Conference moira::parenting_v3

    Another note of thanks to Parenting.  I can't believe the support and
    information I've gotten from this conference!  
    
    Some examples:
    
    	When I came back to work and my first baby was 8 weeks old, she 
    stopped sleeping through the night.  She went from 8 hours to less than
    2 at a stretch!  I was exhausted and had the added burden of a
    sister-in-law telling me that it was because the baby was traumatized
    that I was working.  I KNEW something physical was going on but didn't
    know what.  Through Parenting, I figured out that the room was too dry
    (new electric heater).  We bought a humidifier and the baby went right
    back to sleeping through the night!
    
    	When my second child started calling the sitter "mommy" I flipped
    out - my heart was breaking.  I wrote up the deal in this conference. 
    The replies and VAXmail were immediate and just what I needed to put it
    in perspective, understand what was going on, and go back to enjoying
    the situation.
    
    	I can't even count all the "helpful hints" on parenting.  One of my
    favorites is the "looking for chickens" method of brushing teeth.  When
    Kathleen went through bath-fear (along with about 20 kids her age
    described in replies to this topic), bubbles (both kinds) got her past
    it.  These are examples of little things that eliminated BIG hassles!
    
    To me, this conference replaces what the neighborhoods and extended
    families offerred other generations.  I feel like I go way back with
    some of these babies: Jody's Michael was born when Kathleen was, I used
    to log in a million times a day for news on Tracy's baby when it was
    touch and go and was so happy when she had "normal" problems with a 
    "normal" toddler, Cal's Sammy came in around the time our family lost a
    Sammy.  There is also advice and information I wouldn't hear anywhere
    else, like from Bonnie R. who is both an experienced mom and a "new"
    mom.  Since the focus here has been mostly younger children, it's great
    to hear from the other side, as in what Kat survived, while we're
    experimenting on the little ones.  
    
    This conference is great for exposure to points of view that I
    wouldn't otherwise get: Ed says his families position on abortion and
    willingness to adopt any unwanted baby go hand-in-hand; another family
    has two female parents and they have the same favorite-parent issues I
    do, etc.
    
    The potential is incredible, when you think about it.
    
    Thank you!!!!
    
    Jane

    Your not alone...I also feel that this conference has helped me through
    the trials and tribulations of pregnancy and childbirth. I just can't
    forget the time when I was 2 weeks late with my baby, and writing in
    and asking for advice on how to make it through the overdue days. I got
    alot of consoling words from many of you and it really helped
    especially when,family and friends were bugging me everyday saying "will
    you hurry up and have that baby?"  Alot of times when I couldn't talk
    to my husband about little things I recieved a few words of wisdom from
    others and it worked. Just the other day I wrote and asked for advice
    on how to help my 6 week old sleep throught the night, well I tried
    something that someone in the conferencee suggested, and it worked,
    last night Danielle slept 9 hours straight!!!!!!!!!
    
    Thanks again!!!
    
    Sandy

    re 450.2
    
    Please, please what did you do to make Danielle sleep for 9 hours.
    
    A tired Mom....Desryn
    
    P.S sorry for the aside, but this is an emergency
    

    Desryn, if you're so low on sleep it's an emergency, get someone
    else to watch the baby so you can sleep.  Hire a teenager or
    something if you have to.  Maybe there's a fellow noter in the
    file who can bail you out.  Then when your head is clearer you can
    work on the sleep patterns. 
    
    --bonnie
    

    .3
    
    I was advised to put her to bed when she is sleepy, not totally asleep.
    Also, and not to rock her to sleep in one room and put her to bed in
    the other, rocked her to sleep right next to the crib so I wouldn't
    have far to walk to put her to sleep, less chance for her to wake up 
    on the way. I also give her more at her last feeding before bedtime.
    
    Give it a shot, anyhing will do.
    
    P.s. A wind up musical stuffed animal next to the baby helped.
    Good luck, and relax it will eventually happen.
    
    Sandy

    Speaking as a future parent, I appreciate being able to benefit from
    your collective wisdom so that I may be a good parent when the time
    comes.  
    
    Judi
    
    P.S. - A friend told me her son (age 3-1/2) told her that he wanted to
    come live with me!  (This was told to her very seriously during my
    wedding reception while she was helping him in the bathroom.)  I told
    her that they could visit *any* time.