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Encouraging Individuality
Why You Each Need Time Alone with Baby
By Gina Roberts-Grey
If you both work, look for park district classes offered on weekends. Set a date to take him with you doing a couple easy errands for a few hours on a weekend afternoon. Even the ritual task of grocery shopping together once a week gives your baby the time to form an individual bond with you.
Stay-at-home moms Elizabeth Columbo and Lisette Bennett of Cato, N.Y., found coordinating a once-a-month playgroup on the weekend just for babies and dads helpful for themselves and their husbands. "The men organized the activities to include their interests and highlight the spirit of themselves and the kids," says Columbo.
"Everyone loves this unique environment and the insight they gain from spending time in social settings with our babies," adds Bennett. This opportunity gives men the chance to interact with their children, refine their parenting skills and develop a bond with the other parents in the group.
By sharing your own interests and situations, you'll lay the groundwork for your baby to know each of your limits and trust advice and guidance from both of you. "You will expand your baby's perception of who you are as his parents and as a parenting unit," says Shukar.
Your baby will gain valuable experiences from spending time alone with each of you. You all need the freedom and the forum to express your emotions, impart your ideas and build relationships as individuals and as a family. You'll provide a base for Baby to build solid relationships with both of his parents. As he matures, he'll realize the benefits of expressing individuality and the comforts of sharing loving family experiences.
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