Last night I baby sat for a beautiful little boy who is 8 month old. We normally get on pretty well and he is a pretty cool kid who allows me to think I can amuse him with silly faces, tickling and general tom foolery.
However, last night, the little fella was a bit out of sorts, and as a result woke up crying three times over the course of the evening. The first two times, a quick cuddle, some soothing singing and rocking worked a treat and he settled. At which point I was feeling like care-giver of the century.
The third time, he did not settle. No he did not. In fact he decided to show me that I was not in fact care-giver of the century, not even close!!
I tried singing, I tried giving him a drink of water, I checked nappies, I walked the house a billion times, I tried bribing him with the fact I would buy him a car when he turned 16 if he stopped.....nothing worked.
I felt COMPLETELY inadequate, and what was worse I ended up calling his Mum to admit defeat. Fortunately she did not answer, and shortly after, he and I reached an agreement that he would sleep if I would keep cuddling him and singing "Stand By Me".
I was happy with the deal - to be honest I got off lightly, he could have asked for my house at that point and I would have handed it over.
By the time his Mum came home, he was settled and I felt a wee bit less inadequate. Just a wee bit less - still fresh in my mind is that someone an eighth of your size can have COMPLETE control over you.
Scary!!!!
However, last night, the little fella was a bit out of sorts, and as a result woke up crying three times over the course of the evening. The first two times, a quick cuddle, some soothing singing and rocking worked a treat and he settled. At which point I was feeling like care-giver of the century.
The third time, he did not settle. No he did not. In fact he decided to show me that I was not in fact care-giver of the century, not even close!!
I tried singing, I tried giving him a drink of water, I checked nappies, I walked the house a billion times, I tried bribing him with the fact I would buy him a car when he turned 16 if he stopped.....nothing worked.
I felt COMPLETELY inadequate, and what was worse I ended up calling his Mum to admit defeat. Fortunately she did not answer, and shortly after, he and I reached an agreement that he would sleep if I would keep cuddling him and singing "Stand By Me".
I was happy with the deal - to be honest I got off lightly, he could have asked for my house at that point and I would have handed it over.
By the time his Mum came home, he was settled and I felt a wee bit less inadequate. Just a wee bit less - still fresh in my mind is that someone an eighth of your size can have COMPLETE control over you.
Scary!!!!