Hellobee Boards

You are not spoiling her! This sounds like what we do except Penny has no schedule. It's good for infants to be interacted with and talked to; it helps their development! Plus, she's only going to get more fun to play with and talk to in the next couple of months so you'll want to do it more!

@Rubies: haha I was gonna say the same thing!!

I think that what's right varies between families. I spend a ton of one-on-one time with my son, and I'm a SAHM! Yes I am sometimes on my phone/computer while he has play time alone, but in general, he is never "alone". On the weekends DH spend nearly every waking second with him because he doesn't see him at all during the week (12-14 hour work days; some days he's asleep when he leaves, and asleep when he gets home). I don't see DH as spoiling him, I see him as investing into his life. I think these early years are CRUCIAL for setting the tone of your relationship. If you instill in them that you value them and quality time with them right now, they will be more likely to spend quality time with YOU when they're older. The more you listen to them and show interest in their life, the more they will let you in their lives when they are older.

I am a young mom and still remember childhood/teenagedom freshly; I remember not trusting my mom because she never listened or showed interest interest - why should I trust her as a teen??

Anyone that was probably way more in depth than you wanted. haha!! Short answer: no freakin way!!

@mediagirl: Do these friends have children? It just seems like such a rude thing to say and I'm not sure what would compel them to share that with you, even if they believe it to be true.

I don't think so at all. Babies deserve to be cuddled and held and loved on. You love on her ass much as you can, you have to work during the week, spend your weekends as a happy loving family!

I would have to agree with everyone else, you are NOT spoiling her. It is called "having a relationship" and "parenting." What are you suppose to do? Put her down on the floor for hours at a time?! I have a two and a half year old (who can certainly be spoiled) and I spend almost every moment with her (I'm a SAHM) and on the weekends, I sometimes take a nap with her! I guess I don't see giving a child love and attention as spoiling him or her.

Not sure what else you're supposed to be doing? Leave her home alone?

It sounds to me you are absolutely doing everything right! I'm home all day with L, and I'm always holding her or right next to her. When DH is home, all he does is cuddle and play with her. She's never, ever alone, and we don't feel like "spoiling" her - we are just doing what feels right and natural. I don't know what we would do if we weren't holding her or interacting with her.

I would say the opposite-- if you WEREN'T spending your available time with your baby and enjoying the family togetherness to the fullest, you could be considered NEGLECTING your baby. Our older kid is 2 years, 10 months and we STILL don't leave him alone very often, even if he's just playing by himself in the living room-- we still sit on the couch and watch him play if we're not getting up to play with him.

Do our kids run our lives? Well... kinda! But that's kinda why we had them!! I didn't have babies so that I could leave them all the time. Leaving them to make money at work-- sure. Leaving them from time to time to hang out with friends-- sure. But my everyday life is now centered around spending time with my family, the people I love the most.

Yeah, that's some weird projection on the part of your friends. I wouldn't think about it for a second.