Just last Sunday, we celebrated my friend Lisa’s birthday. As fate would have it, she was holding little Max when the cake made its grand entrance. What happened next? Let’s just say, it was a delightful surprise!
Max saw the cake, dove right in, and began devouring it like he was a professional cake-eater. It was astonishing! While everyone else was busy discussing traditional milestones—like crawling or walking—this kid just went straight for the cake. And you know what? I couldn’t be prouder of him! Watching him instinctively face-plant into that cake before his first birthday was a true testament to living life to its fullest.
As a mom, I hope he always embraces life with that kind of enthusiasm, never worrying if he gets messy or if frosting ends up in his hair. I feel it’s my responsibility to nurture that fearless spirit in him. After all, it’s not just about the cake; it’s about the attitude!
Forget the Milestones!
Now, let’s talk about the whole developmental milestone thing: I say, forget them!
At first, they drove me a bit mad. I kept hearing that babies usually roll from their tummy to their back first. Yet, Max went the opposite way—he rolled from back to tummy like it was no big deal! This unconventional approach has been his MO from day one. As a brand-new mom, such “rules” can get overwhelming if you let them.
And don’t even get me started on the unsolicited advice. You know what I mean:
- “Oh, my little Alex was walking by then!”
- “Baby Sophia was already feeding herself at this age!”
- “Oh, and baby Timmy filed our taxes last year!”
Really? Every child is unique, and there’s no race to the finish line. It’s not the Olympics, folks!
Looking up developmental milestones online is about as helpful as Googling your headache symptoms on WebMD—trust me, new moms should steer clear. If your pediatrician is pleased with your baby’s progress and you’re seeing growth, then you’ve got nothing to worry about. Dismiss the naysayers and remind yourself: no one’s counting!
Redefining Milestones
Let’s be real—these milestones won’t appear on resumes or college applications. “Yes, dear, you’ll need to fill in your social security number here, date of birth there, and let’s see…oh yes, check here if you rolled over before six months! If you walked before your first birthday, well, you can skip this silly process and head straight to the Ivy League!”
While I’m thrilled about the lessons I want to impart to Max, I’m equally excited about what he teaches me. Like the simple joy of eating cake without worrying about the mess. Sure, you can create memories while looking put together, but the best ones often come with a frosting-covered face.
So, let’s redefine what milestones mean!
A milestone is trusting your instincts as a parent. It’s the moment you realize that you’re the only mom Max will ever have, which means it’s perfectly fine to smile and nod while ignoring advice that doesn’t resonate with you.
A milestone is when he throws that ridiculous overpriced flower arrangement in Whole Foods to the floor, shattering the vase and proving he has a keen eye for value! (Double win: YAY! He’s grabbing things, and he’s got good taste!)
It’s when you resist the urge to tell off that woman at Target who squeezed between you and your stroller, then mistook your daughter for a little boy.
It’s those first joyful belly laughs, the hugs, the squeals of delight during bath time, and the smiles when he recognizes family on FaceTime.
It’s knowing when to log off and stop obsessing over feeding and sleeping schedules—or milestones. If you can appreciate these moments without stressing over traditional “milestones,” congrats, you’ve earned a Gold medal in parenting!
Additional Resources
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Summary
Traditional developmental milestones can create unnecessary stress for new parents. It’s important to focus on unique moments and personal milestones that matter, rather than comparing children to arbitrary standards. Embrace the joy of parenting, celebrate individuality, and create lasting memories without the pressure of meeting societal expectations.