Training the baby

Baby Julia hit the 6-month mark a few days ago. She has been a delight her entire existence. The transition from five kids to six has been much easier than any other transition, in part, I think, because the other children are older and, therefore, less demanding.

In our house, at age 6 mo, we start "No Training." It's a terrible birthday present. I think I read about it in "To Train Up A Child" by the Pearls. I started today with Baby Julia Joy.

She is a very good student.

I took her to a room where we could be alone for five minutes. I handed her the cord from a lamp, which she immediately put in her mouth. I thumped her little hand (which broke my heart), said, "No," and took the cord from her. (I try to never yell the word, shout it, or even say it firmly. I want my children to understand that I shouldn't have to elevate my emotions for them to know that I mean what I say.)

Julia Joy didn't even cry. She did, however, reach for the cord again.

I let her grab it and put it in her mouth. Then I thumped her other hand and repeated the process. The child didn't cry until the sixth time I thumped her. Oh, it nearly sent me to tears!

But she stopped reaching for that cord.

The child stopped reaching for the cord. Incredible. I can't say that any of my other children actually learned to stop reaching for the cord within the first week of no training, much less the first five minutes. (I've got a 3-year-old son who STILL "reaches for the cord.")

I have high hopes for this child. ;-)

Now if you'll excuse me, I have a (probably naked) 3-year-old to chase down.