Publications & Sites 
Ringing in the new year, with new babies
Updated: December 31, 2012 3:42PM
This was quite a year for us! We welcomed four new grandchildren, all from different families. These baby boys have brought abundant joy. The challenge, though, has been adjusting to the differences in parenting nowadays.
Two of our daughters refer to themselves as “sleep police.” They protect naptime diligently. It used to be that our babies could miss a nap and still get through the day. Not so these babies.
Didn’t we used to tiptoe around the house while the babies were napping, cautioning all to be as quiet as possible? Now, they use sound machines to create noise in the baby’s room. For me, it’s pretty hard to hear their cry over the static created by one of these devices! My goodness.
What about the sleep-sacks instead of blankets? I almost panicked when I couldn’t figure out how to undo the zipper on the sleep-sack. Would he have to do without his legs for the rest of the day? Thank goodness I was able to pull it over his head.
I think I have finally gotten the hang of “swaddling” the baby. I do prefer the Velcro swaddle. It’s a lot easier to figure out (unless of course it’s upside down or inside out). You don’t know what a swaddle is? Just you wait!
Recently, we took care of one of the babies overnight. We received 7 pages of instructions a week ahead of time. We referred to these pages as “the manual” and followed it precisely. What would we have done without the manual?
Taking the babies anywhere is not easy. I cringe when I transfer the baby carrier from the stroller to the car and back again. Have I really heard the all- important “click” which tells me it’s secure? In the stroller, baby’s little face is hidden behind a plastic sunscreen; in the car he faces the rear. That’s no fun!
How about photos these days? I used to wait weeks, months, or even years to have pictures developed. Now, every event and “first” is chronicled instantly and sent electronically around the world. Wow!
The old ways were good for us. If I give them a chance, the new ways can be even better. Welcome 2013!
Barbara Boyd is a resident of La Grange.
