Baby Whisperer
Who can put a restless baby to sleep? That’s right, I am the guy for that.
So lately my Grandson, Logan has been going through the teething process or as some may call it, cutting teeth. He is getting the two lower teeth in first. Now Logan is pretty much a calm natured fella and does not get too fussy to be honest but as of lately, this teething process has changed his demeanor dramatically. There are times he just is not happy with life.
Now even before the teething process, I had a nickname bestowed upon me. I am called the “baby whisperer,” within the inner circles of the family. The reason behind this, is I can put a baby to sleep, I just need a couple of minutes with them on my chest and it is a done deal. I am not here to brag but I am rather good at it. The baby does not have to be kin, just need a fussy baby and very soon the baby will be asleep. As my daughter sometimes says, “Dad we need some, boom boom out goes the lights” and I am on my mission to settling the baby down to sleep.
After five children I had gotten rather good with it. What is ironic in this whole mess is that most of the time the baby just needs someone that is calm, steady, and reassuring. Someone that they feel comfort, trust, and feel safe with. But there was a time, with the roles were flipped.
When I was a single parent trying to raise three kids and still being a Soldier in the Army, time was luxury that I never had. After everything was done at work and I finally got home, my schedule was still full. I had three kids to get fed, cleaned up and ready for bed. That did not mention the laundry and so on. Finally, when it came time for me to retire in the evening I was smoked, I mean completely exhausted. So, I would put my daughter, Jesse on my chest, she was two years old, and I would rock her to sleep. She would just grin ear to ear with just a few teeth in her mouth. It is a treasured moment.
What is crazy about this part is, my daughter was my sanctuary in a time, that I was not sure where the world would take us or what the future holds. I found peace by simply rocking her to sleep. She kept everything in perspective for me. She brought a calmness to me that I truly treasure. At a time in my life when I was at my lowest, the simple thing of rocking a baby to sleep each night was the most valuable thing I could do. At a time when I did not have much to give, my daughter needed simply to feel safe, comfort, calmness, and some reassuring. I could give that but at the same time I might say, unknowingly she gave just as much back.
Thus, when someone calls me the “baby whisperer,” I take that title with honor. I take the duties of the “baby whisperer” seriously for all babies should always have the warmth of comfort and safety. I have had many titles in my career as a Soldier. I understand what it means to earn those titles and the respect that is given when someone calls you one of those titles. To be honest though, I have nothing but beaming pride when I hear these words right here, “Dad, can you go boom boom out goes the lights with the boy.” I am just on cloud nine at that moment.
I relish this ability to be able to be able to sooth and calm down the young, is a gift that takes patience and understanding. For me, a person who has accomplished a lot in my career, this is by far one of life’s great accomplishments.
So, give me the teething boy and I will proudly escort him to dreamland.
This is my Friday’s Thought to Ponder for the Weekend.
The Vet-Ian Griffin
Originally published at https://shop.thecoachandthevet.com on May 13, 2021.
