Category: Parent Talk
Well, quite a big update actually. Robbie's progressed a lot from just lying in his carseat and absolutely bawling the place down for attention, to feeling positively ecstatic about being alive. He can't really do a belly laugh yet, but with just a bit more practice, I guess he'll crack it. He's really in to scrunchy, textured rattly jingly toys, especially if they rattle or jingle really loudly and even a few garden plants for example, his Auntie Alsie's (my mum's) conifer hedge if someone holds him close enough to it so he can grab at it and pull the various leaves and things about a bit. I'm not so sure that's a good thing myself though, but mum's hell bent on getting him a small but really tactile plant to play with say, for Christmas, and there's absolutely no stopping her. As for me, I have more practical ideas for his Christmas present from us, like one of those musical pianos or xylophones so he can make his own music, something safe like that, rather than a pot plant with, oo, I dread to think what consequences if he were to grab at it and pull it around before sticking his fingers in his mouth. Pot plants may look harmless mother, excuse me, but it doesn't mean they're not. The sap in some of them is poisonous. As for getting him a musical toy, although the Fisher Price piano's designed for children age 12 months and above, I don't think Robbie'll find a lot he can't play on it, he's so mobile already. He turned 6 months yesterday, yes, I did say six months, and already, you can't sit and just hold him or have a cuddle with him anymore. He loves it when you hold him with both hands round him and just below his armpits so he can literally stand up and jump up and down on your knees. And, believe it or not, he's almost got the nack of crawling. He's mastered what to do with his arms, but his legs aren't quite ready to curl round and do the propelling bit yet. I immediately said to Gran on Sunday, 'time to get another inflatable banana and show Robbie how it's done'
Now that goes back to when I was very reluctant to get up and explore, so, Gran basically nicked this banana toy off this little girl on the beach, replaced it of course, but then, she put my arms over one side of the banana and my legs over the other side and off I went, leaving the banana behind, lollol, though I still played with it after that. Anyway, that's about all the Robbie news. I'll update again when he does actually start to crawl.
Jen.
The toys have the age range labels on the for a reason. Personally, i'd get a toy that's age-appropriate, but certainly not a plant. lol
Seriously what is a baby going to do with a plant?
Besides try to eat it. That can't be safe.
I know, but try telling mum that, lollol. She's getting him one and that's that. She says his brother and sisters would keep an eye on him when he's playing with it, but there is a Fisher Price piano suitable from age 9 months and on Christmas day, he'll be almost 9 months anyway,so why not get him the piano as oppose to the pot plant.
Hmmm.
okay, i suppose an acception can be made here.
yep i'd double check the age appropriation on some of these things, but if the person feels he's ready, then so be it. i'm so pleased he's come on so much. the last time i saw robbie he was a few weeks old and the more cuddles i got the nicer. i put it in my lj too, i was so happy when i heard about that.
Yeah, I do check the age limits and I'm sure he'll be quite ready for it, lollol.
Latest on Robbie. He's well and truly teething now, gumming everything and anything he can get his hands on and there's one hell of a lot of spitting and drooling going on, especially when he's mad. He also has this ring he's just supposed to sit in, but he can already flip himself out of it. Nice one Robbie! Keep it up mate!
Jen.
Agreed about the age ratings on toys, although if you want to buy something before the box says the child is ready for it it may be alright if you are an educated consumer. Meaning, don't just check the age rating, but also find out from the packaging or the website of the manufacturer why exactly they gave the rating so you can further assess whether or not to go against the reccomendation. For example if you have a toy that is rated a certain age, only because the manufacturer thinks it wouldn't be stimulating enough for kids under a certain age it can't hurt to try it early in case they underestamated or your baby is advanced. Remember that companies err on the side of caussion so they may be a little wide of the mark, but they do so only to protect the children from harm and them selves from lawsuits. Or, if it says that a few of the pieces are too small and post choking hazards you could remove only the pieces which are too small and let the child use the rest of the toy if they still want it with those pieces gone. I think your mom's a wee bit crazy. No offense, but a house plant is not a good choice for a kid under, say, three or four and your brothers and sisters are not responsible for your baby brother's safety, your mom is. It is not the job of her other children to take care of her baby. The banana idea is a great one. It sounds similar to giving a kid a push toy to encourage them to crawl or walk. I hope he enjoys whatever presents he gets for Christmas safely.