It is fearful to be walking on a path unfamiliar and uncertain. And that is what motherhood is all about especially for first-time moms.
September 11, 2020- in the middle of a worldwide pandemic, I was in a small room with three beds, and noisy air-conditioning. By that time, it was shared with another couple fighting for the life of their child.
While I am waiting to bring out my treasure, my daughter in the world. It was an overwhelming experience filled with excitement, and joy but also with nervousness, fear, and anxiety.
Being a first-time mom
On that same day, I was open to giving birth to my child. With excruciating pain, love abounds as I held my daughter in my hand. For the first time in my life, an unexplainable joy overflowed.
Motherhood was such a privilege to co-labor with the Lord in bringing life on earth, and journey with Him in nourishing that little life.
Motherhood is such a journey. It is a learning journey with your child. As a first-time mom, I tried my very best to know my daughter and get to know her needs.
My baby walking learning story
I tried to learn things to somehow satisfy and provide for her. It is also fearful because the things you are going to do for her are things you haven’t done in your life.
The experiences and advice of the people who already went ahead of you are important, but at the end of the day, you will have that process that only suits you and your baby. No other way is best than the one that is working for you and your child.
I have heard so many things while I try to tend to my baby’s needs. There are encouraging words, and there are also those that just added pressure in me. One is the way how I will teach my daughter to walk.
My baby walking learning story
My baby walking learning story
It was a decision that my husband and I both agreed upon. We are not going to use any walking tool to help our daughter take her steps. I was fearful at first, and I even tried re-convincing my husband to buy a crib, baby walker, a playpen, baby harness, and andador (wooden baby walker).
I was fearsome because people are telling me that my baby should be walking before one year old, and I was fearsome because some babies are already getting ahead of her.
These are valid fears, and I like to remind you that it is okay to have these. But like what we did, my husband and I believed in our daughter. She can walk without those things because she is capable.
Sabi nga ng husband ko, “Dati naman walang mga ganyang gamit, pero natuto ang mga tao na maglakad”. (My husband told me, “Long time ago there are no such things like that used to learn to walk but people were able to walk.”)
Reality check, that is true. That made our stand for not using walking tools be more grounded and solid.
As we wait for our baby to walk, we just did what we must do. Guide her and train her. Letting her move freely as she plays. Allowing her to crawl, stand, fall, and rise again while assisting her. Babies will learn as you with them, and as you respond to their natural development.
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I remember we just let her hold on to the edges of cabinets, and walls to practice standing and taking her first steps. We used a monoblock chair to help her walk.
We allowed her to learn things literally one step at a time, without pressure but just putting confidence in her and letting her know that we are here to support her. Our eyes are fixed on her as she tries to learn things on her own.
My baby learned to walk at 15 months, and I was the happiest. As she learned to walk, these are some of the things I learned as well.
My baby walking learning story
No one can tell you what you need to do with your child, because as parents, you know best.
No one can tell you when your baby needs to walk or when will he/ she will walk because every child has different milestones and developments.
More than the tools, your child needs your confidence in them. You have to trust them that they can, and they will. You have to let them know that no matter what’s going to happen, you got their back, and you will assist them.
Let your baby enjoy her development daily. Celebrate her milestones even the small wins. Remember, growth takes time.
My baby is now 17 months, and she now enjoys walking, and running outside home.