Consistency vs. Schedule

So as a mommy that wants to "parent with intention" I look forward to the time I get B in a wakeful calm state where I can sing, play, exercise and just plain have some fun with him. I have been blessed with a VERY alert child. It feels like sometimes he fights sleeping because he doesn't want to miss a beat.( I assure him there is nothing fun going on at 4:30am and he should go back to bed HA!) I sometimes feel like he gets frustrated when he isn't stimulated enough. But with that said I have to remind myself that (here's a shocker) HE IS STILL A BABY. I recently had the most awesome 24hr period with him. He woke up so happy and alert we played, got ready for our day. He took naps consistently through out the day woke up to feed and play.

That evening we got ready for bed he slept great in his crib (he slept in a co sleeper for a while) woke up only to be fed and get changed but immediately went back to sleep once put down. Sounds like a mothers dream right? Well I was so excited that the "schedule" had worked out that well, that I planned a whole curriculum for the next day with that same time frame in mind. Boy was I upset when he woke up the next day fussy and all he wanted to do most of the day is sleep. I had to step back and remember he is still so young (one month old today to be exact) and just because some days he can handle so much that isn't always going to be the case.

Hence the consistency vs. schedule. His only daily task is to eat , sleep and poop! And that is the only thing as a mommy to a very young baby that need to be taken care of consistently. Playing, singing etc. is still so important to his development but can't be put on a schedule it happens when he is ready and happy to do it. If not it makes it not fun for either of you.

As a person who thrives and works best when on a schedule it was a really big lesson for me. To really take a step back and realize what he needs on a daily basis. Some days it may be a lot of music, others just being held and cuddled either way he is getting exactly what he needs to grow up healthy and smart. I have to keep reminding myself that art, music, play time is only one aspect of what can make him well rounded but the most important part is that he know we love him and we will be there always for whatever he needs. When writing that sentence I realized that, that is by far the healthiest, best lesson a baby can learn. For now sign language can wait I'm gonna go cuddle my baby.