The Baby Whisperer

[judecorp]

I made the difference in the life of a child today.

Oh, it was nothing major like nominating his family for Extreme Home Makeover (aka A Tearjerker Story) or anything like that. Really, we just had a good time. I don't know if I've ever heard a child laugh quite so hard. He was jumping up and down with his laughter, big mouth full of teeth wide open with joy. He laughed so hard and for so long that even his normally emotionless mother was smiling. Good times, my friends, good times.

Also, I helped this kid in my playgroup whip through a developmental assessment in about 45 minutes. He did practically everything. On the first try. He's the best. And I absolutely forbid him from turning three next month. (Because then he has to leave our program.)

Just call me The Baby Whisperer.

~//~

Sometimes I really do believe that even a poorly-trained monkey could do what I do. I mean, I drive around and spend about an hour at a time playing with little kids. It's not even real work most of the time. I read books. I play with toys. I throw babies up in the air. No problem.

But tonight I was watching Antwone Fisher (it's a total social work movie) and Antwone was walking up the stairs to his mother's apartment, and it was totally a run-down housing project. And he walked into the apartment and it could have been the apartment of any number of my families. It occurred to me that his walking into the dilapidated building was a dramatic moment, and that not everyone could just casually walk into a beaten-down housing project and deliver respect.

I'm glad that I do what I do because I firmly believe that everyone deserves good, kind, caring workers. Even if I don't know all of the latest techniques or have the strongest background in my current career, I know that I deliver quality, respectful work to all of my families. I know that I will always return phone calls, give my best effort, get things done on time, show up when I say I will, and go that extra mile. I treat all of my families the way they deserve to be treated, even if the rest of society treat them like garbage.

I'm glad I do what I do because my families deserve the best. And that's what they get.

Comments

[drainbead.livejournal.com]

I hope I'm half as good of a public defender as you are a social worker.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

*blushes*

Thanks, L. That means a lot to me coming from you. Congratulations on the new job. They chose the right person, hands down.

[thatpatti.livejournal.com]

you rock.

*muah!*

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

That picture always cracks me up!

[thatpatti.livejournal.com]

every time he makes that face (which is a lot), it makes me laugh like crazy.

that icon is so funny.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

What can I say, you made a cute kid.

[willowt.livejournal.com]

..awesome :)

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

[cathboblet.livejournal.com]

This trained monkey could not do what you do. I takes a special kind of patience to work with children, a special gift of kindness. I don't -- at least not right now in my life -- have that. I have untold admiration for what you do.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

It's all about Baby Whispering.

(Actually, I have no clue what that is. I guess I secretly want to be in a sappy Robert Redford film.)

I don't think I could be an academic long-term. I think I would drive myself bonkers. However, I think I can love Cath long-term. Yup, that's do-able.

[bingothemonkey.livejournal.com]

My mother has been an elementary school teacher for over 30 years. I have seen first hand what you mean about emotionless parents and that child, at almost 3, will probably remember that forever. Sounds like he just rarely gets to be free and laugh otherwise.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I hope he always remembers how to have a good belly laugh. His mom really does try very hard with him, and they are very attached and they make each other laugh, but I never heard him lose it like that. More importantly, it's the first time I've ever seen his mom smile.

[oddharmonic.livejournal.com]

I'd like to hire a Baby Whisperer to get the clue to Laurel that using the potty = starting preschool. Also, I'd like a Febreze for kids because she always smells like pee a few hours after being washed.

I really, really liked Antwone Fisher. I don't think I have the patience to become a therapist or a teacher, but I'd like to be a children's librarian.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Laurel should use the potty like a big girl! :) Dr. Phil swears that the best way to potty train a child is to get the child to "teach" potty training to a doll or stuffed animal. Then again, I think Dr. Phil is such a waste of space. Does Laurel let you know when she has a dirty diaper? Does she tell you when she has to go to the bathroom? Is she curious about your using the bathroom? Is /anything/ going on at this front, or is she just happily sitting in poopy pants? Aaah, children!

I liked Antwone Fisher, too. It was a good movie. And I think you would be an excellent children's librarian.

[oddharmonic.livejournal.com]

I've been thinking about getting one of those dolls that wet themselves (recommended in the "how to potty-train in one day" book Dr. Phil refers to)since Laurel's big hurdle seems to be being able to tell when she has to pee.

Laurel's pretty good about not pooping herself; we put a star on the calendar day and give her a sticker for each time she poops in the potty. Peeing is what she hasn't gotten down -- she can tell after she's gone, but most of the time she'll sit in it until she's using the potty to poop (currently twice a day) and ask for a clean Pull-Up then. The current reward for peeing in the potty is a sparkly sticker and a popsicle, but it's been a couple of weeks since she last peed in the potty.

She's gone to the bathroom with me regularly since she started walking, first for her safety and later so she could see that my body told me I had to go potty, so I listened to it and used the toilet, flushed and washed my hands. She really likes washing her hands. I should see if she prefers it in one bathroom over another and figure out why.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Hunh. It sounds like you're doing everything right. By that I mean, everything I recommend to parents.

YOU ARE THE BEST! Laurel needs to get with it and use the potty in order to vindicate your great parenting!!