Helping vs Not making the child independent

Example

Helping the baby to grab an object when she finds it hard to reach
Gently push the baby over to roll when she only does halfway rolling

Is that bad?

One viewpoint is that it is good so that it shows the baby what to do - helps her learn the ropes.
Another viewpoint is that you are not letting the baby to figure things out herself.

Of course, this example as a baby, is nothing when you compare to adolescent, teenager years

If I were the kid, I want to figure things out myself.  It gives me so much more sense of accomplishment if I manage to figure it out myself.  If my mom keep on interrupting me and "showing" me what to do,  it actually makes me lost confidence that I could do it myself. Or it could make me feel lazy, as my mom will show it anyway. Or it could make me feel delusional and think 'things are easy', not appreciating the journey. There are definitely implications.

There is this TV show, This is us - Season 2,  shows a very interesting episode about a mother who in the name of 'help', made the daughter lost her self confidence.  The mother did not realise it, the gap went on for three decades.

So as a mom, I need to find the balance between - encouraging development / productive / giving constructive criticism  - vs - affecting her self esteem

Once the kid able to express more (verbally or non-verbally),  I would be guided by her cues - and only help her if she asks for help.

Raising a child is like Gardening

* * * 

Raising a child is like gardening

You nurture it, you water it, you take care of it

It is not about trying to turn a rose to be a lily

It is about making her the best rose that she can be

* * * 

Every child is unique, just like every flower is unique

You don't try to change the seeds

You recognise them as who they are 

And encourage them to be the best version of themselves

My life for when baby is 20 weeks

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Baby Starting Solid

I am quite excited already, the machine is ready!!
Read more about it
Good coining for me eating veggies too


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Baby Skincare

Moisturise moisturise moisturise
Steroid cream
Careful placement of bandage / protective wearing
Adhesive removal care
Bib, dry, pat pat

+ record keeping

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My Physio

Inner parts of my quad need strengthening
Butt muscle need strengthening too
Stomach muscle need strengthening too

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My Diet

Still working on how do I get that 41 points
Seems so hard!
But its not impossible
I can do it

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Alexis's Behavior and Observation (5 months)

What she loves

Alexis gets very excited seeing things in the air

-- she gets 'seru banget' - her eyes lit up, she moves a lot in large and fast motion
-- she follows the object
-- when she is sort of done, she is in the brace position 'hands put together'  so cute
--  she does not necessarily want to grab them (at this stage)

Alexis loves to get involved in people's conversations

Alexis always smiles to strangers / whoever that make contact with her, she has this friendly demeanor

Alexis seems to be quite patient too

Alexis gives that brief, polite smile when parents get excited and want a reaction from her

Alexis can get serious, when being offered a gadget board, where her hands try to spin things

Alexis loves sitting - she has that 'proud look' in her face

Alexis loves tummy time - she has that 'excited' look in her face

Alexis loves the Combi high chair position - she look very happy

Alexis loves the scrunched up noisy pillow plastic cover

Alexis is happy in the changing table

Alexis loves to touch left and right, whilst on changing table

Alexis behaves well in the pram, she does not sleep though

Alexis likes to show off sometimes, doing her moves in front of us

Alexis is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO cute!!

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What she does not like

-- Too much things put on her face
-- Being physically constrained
-- When she gets bored
-- We are not listening to what she wants - e.g. hungry, want to be picked up, bored

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Alexis