First-time Parent Dilemma
Monday, July 16th, 2007
I can’t help to wonder if we as parents are often too protective of Chloe, especially because she’s a girl. As we were walking into the church this morning, we passed by the nursery and I saw a mother peeking through a window watching her 7 months old baby crying. We said hi to the mother and in passing I asked her when would be a good time to start leaving our baby in the nursery. She kindly replied “when she’s about 6 months old you can introduce her to the nursery”. After noticing the distress on my face she then smile and added, “oh, but you’re first time parents, you can keep her until she’s 12 months”. I said thank you and walked away feeling relieved.
That got me thinking if I’m overly concerned, too worried, and too protective of Chloe, and how that can harm and maybe even spoil her. I could tell the mother was devastated and heartbroken listening to her baby cry from the outside but she knew in the long run, this was better for the baby because he can learn to be by himself, socialize, and become independent. This is how God trains us as well. When we go through hardships in life, often times we feel alone, abandoned and worthless but we don’t realize that God is always there with us, watching us through that window making sure we are okay and only allowing tolerable sufferings in order to make us strong and Godly grown-ups.
It is so hard to be silent and watch our baby cry when we can just go and hold her. We are just going to have to do it though… but not today.
We kept her throughout the service. yay.
