Babywearing is Selfish.

Yep, I went there. This post has been in my brain for a while and it could not have been titled anything else.  There will be an opportunity for you to log your official complaint; but before we go there, I am hoping you will hear me out.

Sometimes, it really is all about me.

Sometimes my options are: to let my destruco-toddler into your beautiful artisan shop and pay all the money in the world for broken handmade nicknacks… with a bird on it (nice touch); not go in at all and hear the 6 year-old argue all the way home (yes, for a full forty-five minutes… he has a gift) about the vast injustices he has suffered being unable to see if you sold magnetic rocks for his collection (which you don’t, I’m sure; he doesn’t believe me); or, stand here in your parking lot securing said destructo-toddler into a wrap, walk into your store for three minutes, placate my curious 6 year-old, still buy one of your birds, and wish you a lovely day.

Sanctamommy Says, “But if you were to watch your toddler more carefully, she could enjoy the tactile nature of the shop instead of just being worn in for a quick three minute trip.”

Yes, you are right.  Babywearing is selfish like that.

Sometimes, you want to avoid shopping cart shenanigans.

Selfish.

Sometimes, your darling baby…

Floods the house.

Creates “Tide island” in the living room.

Plays with water and paper… in the toilet,

Or (gasp) finds the hidden markers,

Sometimes, you want to minimize the chaos in your life. Truth: you (almost) always know what your baby is doing when they are in a carrier.

Selfish.

Sometimes, Babywearers just have to get things done.

Sorry, Pumpkin, grandma’s barn isn’t going to clean itself.

Like go pick up the other little person your life…

Dear tiny person,

You are my light.  You fill my days with joy and laughter and I am eternally grateful that you are MY tiny person. But for the love of all that is good in the world, HOW does it take us a full hour to get out the door of this house? Sometimes, I just can’t. You’ll have to go into a carrier and we’ll be out the door soon, my little love.  The alternative is that I am late (again) to school pick up and the kind people at the front office of my son’s school will blankly nod and smile when I try to explain how it takes 38 minutes for you to just wear shoes!

Love,
Mom.

Question: “How do you get so much done?”
Answer: “I’m a selfish babywearer, that’s how.”

Need to make a conference call?

Babywear.

Can’t find a moment to pee without wondering what your busy toddler is destroying?

Babywear.

Want to enjoy an actual hot meal?

Babywear!

Want to try avoid something like?

How about this?

Selfish Babywearing.

But please note that even selfish babywearing will not necessarily keep you safe from baby shenanigans. Exhibit A:

But the most basic truth about selfish babywearing is… sometimes, I just need a snuggle.

Mostly, I wear my baby because she needs my comfort, my warmth, to hear my voice, to be close to me. Yes, sometimes I wear her because it is convenient for me.  But, occasionally, I’m the one that needs a snuggle. I just need to have her head rest perfectly against the back of my neck, to let me smell her sweet baby-ness, and feel the weight of her body become droopy and heavy against my back with sleep.

Sometimes, I ache for her little hand reaching to hold mine.

Sometimes, I need her more than she needs me.

So what kind of fish is a babywearer?  The Selfish? Occasionally. But, that’s ok. Get those snuggles, save that sanity, get something done, and enjoy every. tiny. selfish. moment.

Babywearer, you’ve earned it!
  

To log your official complaint or admit that you are indeed a selfish babywearer (no judgement here), comment below.