We’ve read all of the parenting advice about making sure that one enjoys a child in the moment, instead of waiting with bated breath for the next “first.” The advice is surely sound, as parents would miss the joys that come with a baby’s particular skills one day if worried too much about when she’ll develop some other skill. Still, it’s hard not to be impressed or proud when your baby develops a new ability.
A newfound weapon
I’ve found this to be the case even when the new ability clearly constitutes being naughty. Baby Dee has finally gotten three top teeth to match the two she’s sported for a few months on the bottom. And she has figured out that those teeth aren’t just useful for crunching fistfuls of Goldfish crackers. They also make a powerful and effective weapon when deployed against a parent who won’t hand over the car keys, cell phone, or remote control on which baby’s heart is set.
I can’t help but be proud that she figured out biting all on her own. Our little one hasn’t been to daycare yet, where other kids could school her in the ways of meting out destruction and pain. So my thought is that she must have figured out, all by herself, that what grabby hands and pouty faces fail to accomplish, her bite may render. This is a skill, after all, that would surely have served her well if we were still a species that lived in trees or caves and had to hunt mammoth to make it through the winter.
I’m impressed by her logic and reasoning and at the same time, dismayed at the naughtiness. I don’t want her first friends at pre-kindergarten to shun her because she bullies them with her chompers. So with biting, and various other signs of the “terrible twos” arriving a half-year early, we’ve had to begin to implement “time outs” for Baby Dee.
Staying the course
Since she doesn’t understand – or maybe doesn’t obey – well enough to be told to sit still in the corner by herself, time outs at this age consist of a parent placing baby on their lap and sitting silently until she calms down or reflects upon her behavior. Mom has been fairly good about imposing discipline. Once or twice upon entering the room, she would tell me not to give in to my instinct to run up and hug Dee, but to instead be silent, since they were having a time out.
When it’s my turn to impose time out, however, I’ve definitely not carried my weight. After a recent chomping administered to yours truly over a dispute concerning whether she could play with some dangerous item, I took Dee to time out on a chair in the bedroom. She stared at me, no doubt trying to convince me she was falsely accused or had been the victim of a miscarriage of justice. But I stayed the course, at least for the moment. Then she discovered a braided cord (a few inches long) anchored to the wall, holding up a curtain behind me. This gold-hued rope was within her reach.
In a moment, the string was in her hand, and the curtain was splashed over my head. When I freed my eyes, the golden rope was shoved into my open mouth. Baby Dee cracked a smile, and attempted to repeat her effort to feed me household decorations. I had to resist the temptation to turn time out into a tickle-fest.
Discipline, it seems, takes discipline.
Time cop
On the air
The Self-Bentley family of Perrysburg has had years of experience learning and coping with Williams Syndrome, and now they will bring their experience to a national audience. Their son Alex has become one of the most highly functioning children in his age group with the genetic disorder. “People say it takes a village to raise a child, well it’s taken several villages to raise Alex,” said Michelle Self, Alex’s mother. “We’ve had such great help from doctors, therapists, teachers and the community. It’s had such a beneficial affect on how well he functions and what he’s learned to be acceptable behavior,” she said. “He’s been treated like everyone else, so he knows better,” she said. “He understands fractions, reads his textbooks and takes part in all sorts of activities,” she stated.
Williams Syndrome is a genetic condition that affects one in 10,000 people. The disorder is a microsomal deletion of chromosome seven, meaning individuals with Williams Syndrome are missing 20-25 genes. Children and adults with Williams Sydrome are social, compassionate and loving. Although there are many positives, ongoing medical issues such as cardiovascular disease, learning disabilities and developmental delays can be experienced.
National attention
National awareness of WS has continued to grow over the years. National Public Radio (NPR) has done several broadcasts on the symptoms WS children face. WS children are known to be hyper-social, interested in everyone, and as a result have often been taught to be distant, to protect themselves. It was upon hearing these broadcasts that producers of the acclaimed ABC news program 20/20 decided to feature children with WS on a episode of the show. Self was contact by the executive director of the Williams Syndrome Association in Troy, Michigan. “She called and asked if our family would be interested in participating,” said Self. “We sent in our information and then didn’t hear back.” Several weeks later 20/20 producers called Self and asked several follow up questions regarding Alex’s routine, activities and schooling.
“They wondered about his speech,” said Self. In July of 2009, Alex underwent a procedure to place two stents in the narrowed arteries of his heart. During the operation, he suffered a stroke from a blood clot on his left side, which affected the right side of his body. Alex’s speech, fine motor skills and walking abilities were affected, however, they are now much improved, if not entirely better. The producers asked if the family would attend a national conference in St. Louis. They were indeed planning to go, but it was not until four days prior to the event, that producers asked to catch parts of their visit on camera. “I was giving a speech and they filmed a bit of that, then Alex went to music camp and Chris Cuomo, a 20/20 news anchor, showed up,” said Self. Cuomo spent time with the campers and even interviewed Self.
Hometown visits
Months later, producers called and asked the family for permission to film an entire day at their home. “They were here from 6:30am to 6:30pm,” said Self. The film crew captured Alex’s trip to school, his visit to the orthodontist, a piano lesson and more. “Producers interviewed some of his former teachers,” said Self. 20/20 cameras did not capture what they had expected from a child with WS. While Alex is social, the hyper-social aspects of the disorder were not as prevalent in him as expected.
Alex is not the only child to be featured on the program; two or three others will also be interviewed. While the family was filmed this past September, they still are unaware of when the episode will air. “Even the producers only know four days in advance,” said Self. “I emailed with an inquiry and was told editing on the episode was about to begin, so we hope it will be soon, but assume it’s about a month or two away,” she said.
Showing the love
Toledo Area Humane Society animal cruelty investigator
Nancy Schlib, known as Officer Nan, meets animals who have been mistreated every day. However, Schlib is doing what she can to raise awareness for shelter animals. This month Officer Nan releases her first children’s book Animal Cop Adventures: Forrest the Hero, a heartwarming tale of a dog who had been mistreated and abandoned. “I wanted to express to people that they should adopt shelter animals; they have just as much love to give,” Schlib said. And love they do. The story relays true events about Forrest and the rescue of his new owner’s son. To purchase the book visit www.amazon.com or www.bn.com. Early copies of the book will be available at Rover Come Over during a book signing on Thursday, March 3, at 6pm. 3955 Albon, Monclova. 419-861-9100.
www.rovercomeoverdoggydaycare.com.
The science of a different way
Looking for the right kind of education for your child? Montessori schools have long offered an alternative for parents seeking an individual-oriented, unconventional approach to child development. For those looking to learn more, Toledo’s West Side Montessori presents “Good at Doing Things: Montessori Education and Higher Order Cognitive Functioning,” a lecture by Dr. Steven Hughes, an assistant professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Dr. Hughes gives a fast-paced, engaging presentation, demonstrating how Montessori education can provide a solid foundation for a student’s future. He shows how contemporary neurology and cognitive science have uncovered evidence that the Montessori approach is sound. 7pm. West Side Montessori Bancroft Campus, 7115 Bancroft St. Contact Anne Spenny, 419-866-1931.
The stories come alive
Adults look forward to The Ark’s 24th Annual Storytelling Festival and now kids can too. On Sunday, February 20 at 1pm, The Ark presents Storytelling for Kids. The family edition of the Festival has tailored the performances suited for adults the night before and made them appropriate and captivating for young audiences. Andy Offutt Irwin, Motoko, Barbara Schutzgruber and Dick Strader bring their humor, voices, lyrical movement and music to evoke a depth of imagination. Stories will range from Offutt’s story of a woman who avoids curmudgeonship, original tales from Motoko of Osaka, Japan, oral traditions of The Great Lakes Region from Schutzgruber and Dick Strader’s captivating tricksters from all over the world. Doors open at 12:30pm, tickets $10 per person. The Ark, 316 S. Main St. 734-761-1800. www.theark.org.