Am I making it worse? (Warning - long!!)

[Arimeh]

I think its mainly because DH doesn't like to carry him around, thinks it will make him too clingy and less independent? So it would be interesting to know if a kid's independence is derived from whether or not they were carried around a lot as a baby/toddler or if its just their personality?? I mean, I'd like to know if I made DS this way because we didn't carry him around all the time as a baby, which he never seemed to mind anyway, not like we didn't pick him up at all, just usually didn't really need to as much. Now.. its all the time.
Its really hard to know what is the best for babies/toddlers because there is soo much information out there, and so many different opinions, that you always question what you are doing!!!!

[Matryoshka]

It definately comes down to a lot more than whether they were or are carried a lot. I think confidence comes from the security of having their needs met, consistency and stability. Just do what feels right and try to zone out when people start giving their unsolicited opinions, you're the only expert on your child

[tiggerandpooh]

my son Nathan didn't walk until he was 15mths old, and until then I couldn't walk out of the room without him disolving into a mess... I would wear him on my back in a back pack to do most thing - cooking dinner, vacumming, anything! when my back needed a break the jolly jumper was great - he would go off listening to shania twain ( he cringes now when I tell him that lol)

I did find that once he was walking he did start to strike out on his own, discovering the world. so much so on more then one occasion contribution to the development of gray hairs because he decided to go adventuring....

Hang in there hun. Do what works for you. I don't think not carrying your son around as an infant will have contributed to how he is now - its just who he is right now... I know it must be hard being pregnant as well, baby bump in the front, little man on the back...

on a completely different topic - we never did catch up... lol

[Arimeh]

Thanks Vicky, makes me feel better knowing that other kids are doing it too!!!!! DS will probably be walking in another month (or two!!!) so hopefully I don't have to carry him around much longer, cos my belly is only going to get bigger!!!

And yes, we never did catch up. But willing to if you want to!! Your youngest isn't too much older than my little monster...

[Ginger]

mel- another book you might be interested in reading is 'the science of parenting' by margot sunderland.
there's a thread about it somewhere.
btw, you are definitely not making it worse imo

[tiggerandpooh]

i cant remember which end of the coast you are at... let me know and we can organise something after easter. i try to get out at least three times a week with aston... the change of scenery does us both the world of good.

[Arimeh]

Vicky - I'm in Nambour - so inland centre end!! haha!!!

Gracie - thanks hon

[tiggerandpooh]

and I'm about half hour north of you in the noosa hinterland, near cooroy.

lets try and get together after easter.