Ferberizing

I've been doing a little more research on the "crying it out" method of sleep training. We've contemplated starting it, but are going back and forth since she's been sick lately. We are to the end of our rope with her bad sleeping the past week. It's a tough decision.

Here's an article I found today that has been informative on some of the rumors surrounding "ferberizing":

http://www.babycenter.com/0_the-ferber-method-demystified_7755.bc

Here are some thoughts:

* Aly slept through the night (10-12 hours straight) from 7 weeks until 6 months. She put herself back to sleep when she woke up.
* When she's healthy (which has been few and far between since she's turned 6 months old), she sleeps through the night often and also puts herself back to sleep.
* When she wakes up recently, she sits up, screams, and when I pick her up, her heart is beating a million miles a minute. Could it be separation anxiety coupled with hunger and stomach hurting?
* People say people don't let their kid cry it out because the parents are weak or selfish and "can't handle it", but that it is "best for the child". But then again, is it okay for a parent to let her kid cry it out because she can't take it anymore? Seems like a double standard.
* People say you should let your child cry it out around 6 months because they can do it by then. But, what other milestone does anyone give a definite age on? Are all children ready to cry it out by 6 or even 10 months? Do we expect all kids to be crawling by 6 or 7 months? Or talking by 13 months? Or walking by 12 months? Of course not. We know that babies are different and have different personalities/temperaments.

Now, this is not to say we're not going to try it. We will try some kind of abbreviated version of it if she doesnt go back to sleeping through the night once she's over her sickness. But, I think that many assumptions are made about this method, and that many parents don't do the research for other options. So, my advice to all: Do your research! Read more than one book. Read multiple websites and read different research-- all sides of the discussion! :)

Nursery Rhymes

After spending quite a bit of time reading nursery rhymes to Asante, I am inspired to write some new ones. Every now and then I'll highlight some of our "favorites", explaining how they are actually really horrible for one reason or another. Many of them are racist, sexist, or are encouraging marginalization/oppression/dehumanization of others.

Baa Baa Black Sheep
Have you any wool?
Yes, sir, yes sir, three bags full.
One for my master, one for my dame, and one for the little boy who lives down the lane.

I feel that we need an alternative, because nursery rhymes certainly do have their place in the formation of a young mind. Here's Jake and I's alternative for this particular one:

Baa Baa Black Sheep
Have you any wool?
Yes I do, Yes I do, three bags full.
One for my dad, and one for my mom, and one for the little boy who is singing this song.


Although this alternative is okay, I'd like to come up with some really good rhymes that express kingdom values and are celebrating the diversity of humanity.