Perhaps you were one of the “lucky” ones growing up and didn’t actually watch the absolutely ridiculous movie It’s Pat. Consider yourself lucky, it was one of the stupidest movies I’ve ever seen!! (Or the Sex in the City episode where Samantha uses a vibrator to soothe Miranda’s baby?) What does the title of my post even MEAN then?
As I was doing my holiday shopping this year, I began to get excited. I found toys PERFECT for Jillian to develop much needed skills. As I looked at the toys, I thought “oh. This can help with fine motor! This can help with gross motor!” and on I went. Not that I need to justify anything I buy for her, but therapy in the form of play? You can’t go wrong!
Before Jillian was diagnosed in 2009, we had an early interventionist that came to our home. She would casually mention toys that could help Jillian’s development. And of course, I, practically ran out to get everything she suggested. Toys have taken a new meaning for me. I scan shelves, baskets etc, just to find something that I think Jillian would benefit from both as a curious 2 year old and a child who needs a few pushes.
So far, my favourites have been: A fisher price pop up toy. Designed with infants in mind, it has large buttons and switches, which makes it easy for Jillian to make the animals pop up. Cute animals? = fine motor skills. Making homemade slime or sand play dough (I just discovered this THIS year while I was shopping- it has a very odd texture) slime/play dough = sensory development. And last but not least, BOOKS. When you decide to have a baby, you get a lot of people saying “OH! YOU HAVE to read to them! It’s SO important!” Thus, at an early age, we started reading to both of our kids. Books= language development. I’m pretty sure I’m not cheating by buying dual purpose toys.
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On New Year’s Eve, my new-ish (we’ve only met in person 3 times however we talk everyday via computer or phone) friend Nolie brought her family here to celebrate with us. As we were anticipating the date, Nolie and I talked at length about how our kids would react to each other. I found it strange. I get questions when I go out in public with Jillian and I’d much rather people be informed then draw their own conclusions.
Nolie and I basically had the same fears. Would her son call Jillian a baby? If he does, is she going to go postal on his butt? Will he accept her to play with himself and Lauren? Will Jillian be left out? I was surprised how nervous I was to have one of my close friends and their family visit us. I obviously know Jillian is NOT a baby and she can pretty well hold her own, but still. I guess it’s just reaffirming about worrying about how her peers will treat her in a couple years, when she starts school.
Does mother’s worrying ever end? I really have to laugh when I realize I’m getting all worked up for something that may or may not even happen!!