I watch the dogs and think about how they their family is going to grow too and what changes the baby will bring to their lives and routine. I tell myself I should start to wean them from the expectation that they can always count on me to give them attention when they ask for it. I try to resist petting them so frequently and cuddling with them as often so they doing have to deal with the additional of a baby AND a less-available Crystal at the same time. But I haven’t succeeded in this and I wonder if I’m setting them up for heartbreak and potential behavior issues. And then I reflect on how being a parent means making hard decisions like this and if I can’t even do this for my dogs, how am I going to do it for a child.
Bailey will be watchful, protective and vigilant, just as she is with us- never letting us out of her sight and always curious about what human-activities we are up to.
Ginger will be playful and will embrace opportunities to cuddle. She'll be fine sleeping nearby when the baby sleeps and will wake up when the baby wakes. She'll probably be enthusiastic and will protest if she doesn't get her turn with the baby.
Both will have issues around stuffed animals as well as toys. And potentially shoes/socks. And definitely books especially if the books are old. So we'll have to watch for the general destruction of the baby's property. Poor kid.
No comments:
Post a Comment