In having the BabyThinkItOver simulator baby for a weekend I have learned so much about what it takes to raise and care for an infant. The RealCare baby helped me realize how much it really takes to be a good parent, in addition to bringing to light how many resources a real baby would consume. A few of the problems I experienced with the RealCare baby we're just simple things such as not knowing what it really wanted when it cried. It was frustrating to try thing after thing and not know what the baby wanted from the get go. Another sort of problem I experienced was the crying during the night, or even at extremely inconvenient times during the day. It was very difficult to wake up at the babies beck and call, or to pull myself away from a focused task in order to immediately care for the babies needs. I think that the RealCare baby was a very good experience for me. It was entertaining and very tiring but in the end everything I have learned from it …show more content…
is worth it. I learned many things, just a few of which included how many diapers babies go through, how irregular a baby's schedule is, and how much work in general caring for a baby takes. I think that these things were good to learn as we move closer to adulthood and what comes beyond that. If I were to become a parent now my entire life would have to change drastically. I am very involved with my school and with my sport, and those two things have become my life. I have about 13 hours of swim practice in an average week, and this would probably the first thing that would have to be eliminated from my life if I were to suddenly have a child. Next to go would probably be all of my other clubs and extracurriculars that I take so much pride in being a part of. School in itself would probably also be increasingly hard to keep up with, and would probably have to become my secondary focus to the baby. I know now that if I were to have a baby I would also probably unfortunately lose my major friend systems at school simply because none of us are people who would ever want to change our lives in that way. I know that my overall mentality in life would change if I became a parent simply due to the mental strenuity that this life change would take. Altogether, my life would change in almost every way possible if for some reason I were to have sudden responsibility for an infant, which is not something I plan on happening anytime soon. I am very ambitious for my life ahead and already somewhat knew about the drastic life changes parenthood gives to a person. I in no way want to have an infant of my own anytime soon, and plan to save that new life experience until after I have finished medical school, as well as have a steady job, husband, house, and life. After the BabyThinkItOver project, this plan was only further endorsed, as I know even more than ever, how unprepared I am to care for an infant. The BabyThinkItOver simulation definitely helped me prove to myself how much work an infant really is, and how far I am from ready to deal with this responsibility. I would highly recommend the BabyThinkItOver simulation to other high schoolers simply due to the harsh reality it puts in perspective.
I know that many of the student body at our high school have a blatant and irresponsible lack of respect for their bodies. They need a wake up call to all of these responsibilities that are very possible consequences of their irresponsible fun. I think that this simulation should be more widespread experience throughout our school and think that this simulation is a very good tool for us to have available. I definitely think that I would have benefited from a crash course in how to care for the RealCare baby. Though my teacher did an amazing job of explaining the simulation to us, when it the baby finally activated sitting in my house, I didn't know some of the basics like where on the baby to scan the ID bracelet. Other than that though I think that the BabyThinkItOver simulation went very well for me and I am very glad to have had the opportunity to take part in this
experience.
...ry. By using the steps in this book it can help a stressed mother make sure that the baby’s need are met, without having to have a constantly fussy baby. When you can calm your baby down, it give you the courage to help you baby learn to trust in yourself and others. It is possible to have a happy baby. With these steps and physiological proof that it is important for your baby to trust, it is a must when it comes to the method. “Happiest Baby on the Block” was a fascinating read and it brings a whole new perspective of Erikson’s trust vs. mistrust theory into play, as well as really showing how to raise a happy and healthy child. There is truly no greater feeling a new mother can have than a happy smiling baby.
My first observation was at Head Start. I talked to Tracey Claflin about some of the principles they use in their program and how they use them. I wasn’t able to observe the children directly because my TB skin test results came up positive. Tracey explained to me that because my results were positive I couldn’t meet children or be in the same room as the children. Due to this, I had to make some arrangements to instead speak with Tracey about some principles she has seen and that they follow. I met with her for an hour discussing the principles and how they were used in the Head Start program. One of the principles she said was highly important for Head Start was principle number 2. She explained that when there is enough time and opportunities to spend time with a child individually the caregiver puts full attention on one child. She explained that they like to focus attention on a child throughout the day so that the child doesn’t feel left out. She says that alone time for a child with a caregiver is usually tummy time. They allow the infants and toddlers to roll around and look at the carpet designs. Tracey explained to me how they asses each child through this quality time that the caregiver and the child have alone. This quality time the caregiver has with the child is important,
The March of Dimes campaign uses happy life experiences to encourage viewers to donate and walk with them. Throughout a child’s life they acquire many skills necessary for growing up. In a commercial they document a baby’s first steps. The video says, “For too many parents, a baby’s first steps aren’t just a milestone, they’re a miracle.” Everyone in the video is happy. When kids say their first words and take their
I started this project very excited and interested in different decisions I’d be able to make and choose for a virtual child. I want to be a parent at some point in time, so I found this project to be very influential and helpful for me. Throughout the simulation, I made choices and decisions based on what both my parents and I would do, particularly leaning toward a stricter parenting style in order to keep the child in line with good morals and a strong background. I enjoyed this assignment, and I expect to remember certain decisions I made when I may become a real parent.
In closing I would like to express how informing this video was on how children are conceived. It shows the audience what to expect and the changes that will occur and in what time frame. Children are miracles and this video proves it. There are many obstacles a woman must go thru to have a child. I think everyone should view this video as well as high school students. High school students who watch this would be more cautious about their actions and sexual behaviors, in my opinion.
It’s also an opportunity for mothers who feel that they cannot care for their child the way they
While I was talking with Hassan’s mother, she told me that she was preparing herself emotionally before getting Hassan. On the one hand, she read books about pregnancy, baby growth, and attended childbirth classes. On the other hand, she said that she wish someone told her to put a schedule for her. After she got the child, her life wasn’t goin...
“With 11,000 babies born daily in the U.S., raising a child costs an average of nearly $11,000 in the first year; $220,000 and more for the first eighteen years” (PR Newswire 1). Without job qualifications, such as a high school diploma, college degree, or skill training, these young parents are unable to obtain jobs to support their babies. Many of these young teen mothers turn to government assistance and other forms of welfare. The shows also emphasize how costly a baby 's needs can be. Having a baby can be fun, but many people fail to realize all of the financial responsibilities that come with a tiny and valuable life.There is lots of preparation involved to have and raise children. However, decorating the baby’s room is second only to stocking up on supplies when preparing for a newborn. (Newswire 2) “Nine out of ten moms in today’s economy look to buy new furniture from stores where they can see, touch, and feel each piece of furniture to make sure it is suitable for the newborn” (Newswire 2). These reality shows are great examples of expressing how the young teen fathers are as unprepared as the teen mothers when it comes to supporting each other including the baby with the supplies and necessities that are needed for the baby 's health. They display the teen parents decorating the baby
Before I started nursing school I was an Early Head Start Home Visitor to families prenatal to three years of age. With this experience I have been in many homes with various different parenting types. I strongly agree with Erikson’s Trust vs. Mistrust theory . Seeing this first hand with parents who would not hold their baby because they were afraid of “spoiling” or just propping the bottle so the baby would not be so “dependent” absolutely blew my mind. I could not imagine having a baby that you did not hold. I always wanted to voice my opinion but I could not be judgmental so I actually would print out curriculum to take the following week on Erikson’s theory. Many parents would shrug it off as others would actually read it and be very interested. There was a difference in the way the children acted as they became older. It was very apparent to me on which parents offered the loving and nurturing environment that Erikson believed every baby needed.
What was the most compelling thing you learned about the caregiver experience from an insider’s perspective?
The documentary, The Business of Being Born was much different and far more educational than I was expecting it to be. I knew that labor and delivery in hospitals contributed a great deal to their profits, but I was not aware of a lot of the other statistical evidence the documentary included. I think Abby Epstein did a great job of including both sides of the debate and opposing opinions in the film; this really added to the educational value of it.
Establishment of a two year In Home Care (Nannies) Pilot to support 10,000 children in families who find it difficult to access mainstream childcare services such as shift workers, nurses, police and families in remote and rural areas at a cost of $246
Almost every child grows up dreaming to be like their parents. These children want to go to work like Dad or cook and shop like Mommy. Throughout development this dream changes for these bright-eyed children who haven’t experienced much in the world. By high school some are thinking “I’m ready to move out, start my life with a family”. I am one of these high schoolers’. However, this changed after I had experienced the RealCare baby.
Becoming a mother has been the best part of my life. I became a mother at a very young age. I had no idea what to expect and was not in the least prepared for the journey that lie ahead. I have truly embraced motherhood and enjoy all the wonderful things it has taught me. While living through motherhood, I have found that it can teach you the most valuable lessons there are to learn. Being a mother has taught me how to have patience. I have also learned that being a mother takes a lot on mental and physical strength. My children have been the best to teach me how to juggle many tasks at once. They have made me strong. Even through some unexpected turns, I have learned how to get through hard times and really learn what it means to never give up. My children are my biggest blessing, and I hope they will learn valuable lessons through me. The skills I have learned from being a mother have helped me in my college journey.
As I plan to eventually work with young mothers who have children who are in the foster care system or who are fighting to get their children back, I want to have a clear understand of what it will take to establish a healthy pregnancy. It will be important to implement the prenatal development to these future mothers. Making sure that these mothers have an understanding of what is important in the first stages of prenatal care of their children. For example, going to Doctor’s appointments, taking vitamins, eating healthy, and staying active. This will help provide a safe and healthy pregnancy for any children they may have. I also believe that gaining knowledge over the stages of development will be beneficial to know for the mothers who are fighting to have their children back. Some of these mothers I could be working with might not know what to expect of their one-year-old child. For example, how their brain is developing, what they should be doing cognitively or socially. As a future family life educator, it will be important that I have a clear understanding of these concerns of the child and the development process for the mothers who have the urge to get care of their children