E has been picking up signing lately - FINALLY. We've been watching Baby Signing Time Volume 1 since he was like six months old or something, I don't even know. Anyway, he signs "more" (which comes out as clapping), "milk" (which he does correctly) and "all done" (which he expresses as "milk" with two hands, lol).
"Milk" and "more" are very helpful, but I'm having some issues with "all done." For instance, a couple of nights ago I was brushing E's teeth and he kept signing "All done!! ALL DONE!!" I felt really bad because he was communicating to me in the only way he knows how (other than crying) that he wanted me to stop. But I really needed to brush his teeth. So what then? I mean, how am I supposed to continue to teach him to sign when I just ignore what he's trying to tell me? He'll give up. But then I'm also a terrible mother if I give in and don't make him brush his teeth. It's a lose-lose situation.
E is sick today - this is probably the worst illness he's ever had. It's just a really bad cold, but he's absolutely miserable. He keeps coughing and holding his head (because I'm sure coughing hurts his head!) and then looking up at me pitifully and signing "all done." TEAR DROP. What am I supposed to do about that?! It about breaks my heart. He's telling me to fix him and there isn't anything I can do other than give him some meds and hope it helps a little.
I try to talk him though it and explain, with the teeth brushing and the sickness and all the other things he's "all done" with, but of course I don't know how much his little baby mind understands. I wish I could fix everything and let him be all done as soon as he's ready. It's hard to be the mom.
Aw...poor fellow. I hope he is better soon! I am following from the thursday twitter hop. I noticed on your profile that your son was born prematurely...my daughter was born at 23 wks. She turned 6 this past October. She is doing incredibly well. Take care of you and your little one. amy
ReplyDeleteI hopoe he gets better soon! As far as the signing I think your tone goes a long way, even if he can't understand the words you're saying he will pick up on the tone and understand that you are doing what's best... I always just patiently and sweetly say "we are almost all done honey" then we I'm finished I make a point of saying "all done!" then they undertand that at that time mommy gets to choose when it's all done. Hehe. Good luck, being a mom is confusing sometimes, but it's so Awesome that he's signing?
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