You’re not in this alone, and therein lies both the opportunity and the challenge. You will be the child’s first guardian, teacher and moral compass. But you can’t shield your baby from the world. Nor would you want to. Grandma wants to hold her; Sister wants to see if she’ll bounce; babysitters are ready to rock the cradle. With any luck, you’ll be able to look to your parents whom, in a blizzard of energy and rebellion, you may have left behind years ago for help and guidance, and love for their newest family member. (Amazing, isn’t it, how the same people who were so seemingly flawed as parents can turn out to be such insightful grandparents?) It does take a family to raise a family.
It’s all perfectly natural, the slow but steady transition of a little baby into the big, wider world. It starts with other family members, then moves outward as day care, then friends, then television and marketers begin to exercise their influence. This is a journey babies are bulk for. They’re born scientists, eager to test and taste and learn. You’re there to be dazzled at their discoveries. Ride with them as long as you can.
