Comments on: Making A Soul Connection With Your Baby

By: Dalton Smith

Dalton Smith — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 01:46:31 +0000

In reply to Lainey. Connecting to your child when they are a baby is one of the most crucial things you can do as a parent. I really wish more parents would take this advice . I actually raised my children this way and I would not raise them any other way. Thank You, Janet.

By: janet

janet — Sun, 17 Nov 2019 16:18:00 +0000

In reply to Cynthia Cunningham Shigo. Hi Cynthia! Wow, what a beautiful gift you and your grandson (and daughter) are to each other! Love hearing this!

By: Cynthia Cunningham Shigo

Cynthia Cunningham Shigo — Sun, 17 Nov 2019 16:00:19 +0000

Janet, I am a grandmother who has been reading your posts and books because my daughter recommended them to me. I have cared for her son, who is now 3 for several days every week since she returned to work as a professor of English. I am a college teacher as well, and with my background in education, have been practicing what you preach for many years. I had long talks with my daughter about realizing that her precious boy is an amazing person, with an individual identity, before he was even born. I just wanted to comment on how I believe our agreed upon ways of relating to him have given him the freedom to develop into such a wonderful, amazing child. I think that talking to him, and listening as well, have made him literate and thoughtful. Several times a day he asks me what a word I have used means. Usually it is a word I think he knows, but I always answer every question to the best of my ability. Then he uses the word several times in a sentence that day. When he was developing sounds, I talked with him about how the sounds we make form words that have meaning, and how the words are put into sentences, and how we can talk to each other. He basically learned to read at the same time he learned to talk, because he was so interested in the alphabet, that he would take my hand and direct me to his alphabet blocks, and ask me to put them into the right order. My daughter is so good with him, listening so well, acknowledging his feelings and hearing his thoughts, that she is a joy to watch with him. I know that your books have helped her keep a clear vision of what raising a child with respect can look like. Our relationship with my grandson and even his own amazing mind are growing as fast as he is, as a result.

By: Khyati Shah

Khyati Shah — Thu, 16 May 2019 16:36:34 +0000

In reply to Katharine. Yes, I struggle with this too with my 8 month old. What do you do without seeming rude?

By: Lynne Kinnucan

Lynne Kinnucan — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 04:15:54 +0000

You made my day as well. Julie pointed out to me that she knew I wished that I had been the kind of mom you are (when I told her your kind words about being a grandma like me). She was spot on. Her name is Julie Harbert. I knew that you and she were friends but wasn’t sure it would be appropriate to mention her name in the email. We practically live by your books — I think they are beautiful and have subscribed to your emails. If you come to NY again I will be there too.

By: janet

janet — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 19:49:05 +0000

In reply to Lynne Kinnucan. Dear Lynne - You've made my day! Thank you so much for sharing your story and kind words with me. It means a lot. I am very much looking forward to being a grandma like you someday. You are so full of love.

By: Lynne Kinnucan

Lynne Kinnucan — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 03:33:21 +0000

I had the pleasure of meeting one of daughter’s oldest friends recently. Her four-year-old hid behind his mother; I said hi and walked into the room, not wanting his mother to say “say hi”or “give Lynne a kiss”. I just stood near him talking with the other adults until a blanket appeared at my feet and said, “boo!” I jumped and cried out in fear, and he emerged laughing. We had about 5 more rounds of him scaring me badly and then we had breakfast. After breakfast we had a little talk about his cars, and then it was time to leave. He ran to me and hugged my knees. His mother said, “He never does that.”

Several years ago the same thing happened. We live far away and have few visits with our grandchildren. On one of those visits, my daughter held her two-year-old in her arms; he clearly didn’t remember me. I walked by without looking at him or saying anything, and sat down on the couch. He took his toys to the opposite end of the room and began playing with them. Slowly he moved closer until he picked up a book and a blanket, hoisted himself up on the couch and said, “Let’s get cozy and wead a book.”

Fortunately my daughter, Julie,who is a great fan of yours, did nothing to interfere.

She introduced me to you and now I’m a fan too. I frequently see her sharings of your counsel on her Facebook page and I have both of your books

By: Alicia H

Alicia H — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 05:45:57 +0000

In reply to Nicole S. I can relate 100%! Awkward, uncomfortable and, for me, very emotional. I really struggled to be around my own family during Christmas because of how the parents and grandparents were speaking to and treating the children. And like you said, it wasn't that long ago that I probably wouldn't even have noticed! But now I see it all so clearly and it brings up so many emotions. Thank you for sharing!

By: Lynn Holland

Lynn Holland — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 01:04:53 +0000

I too have noticed that I can connect with infants and toddlers in public places. Locking eyes with them. It’s amazing and fills me with wonderment. I am a recently retired preschool teacher and really miss the connections with children. But I am looking forward to a volunteer position in our local hospital and also the pending birth of my first grandchild. I love your blog and posts and have already given a copy of your book to the new expectant parents. Thanks so much Janet.

By: janet

janet — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 01:53:38 +0000

In reply to Melanie Garaway. Fully accept and acknowledge his feelings, rather than trying to talk him out of them in some way. Most of us have the instinct to, however subtly, invalidate. In other words, when he says, "I don't want you to hold the baby," but you are going to hold the baby at that moment, just acknowledge, "Wow, yes, you really don't like it when I hold the baby. I hear that!" Let him be upset. Welcome him to vent those feelings to you.