I also have a strong dislike of any kind of prank on children, and indeed it is unfortunately radical in our society to show respect to babies and children.

But reading this post, and the comments, there is a lot of righteousness, which never leaves room for dialogue or learning. This post leaves very little if any room for improvement or repair.

Parenting posts should be empowering, not shaming. The tone should not be ‘wow, how could you not know/do this, and you’ve really messed your kid up irreparably’.

Advice like this is very disconnected not only from people’s lived realities (poverty, lack of support, etc.), but also disconnected from understandings of manifestations of attachment.

If one has the inner, social and financial resources to parent with gentleness and respect, and to write about it, that is a privilege that should be reflected in the knowledge being shared.

Adding for more understanding same laugh bubbled up when he was nervous meeting santa. He immediately wanted up into our arms, was not made to sit on his lap, we reminded about santa and ho ho ho eventually we re approached for a hello and highfive which he was okay with. He was very happy to meet santa and kept talking about it so I feel i did well respecting his initial fear reaction and not forcing him into tears or lap sitting but still the first reaction while lifting him up was that laugh

I would carry this concept a step further and suggest we not laugh when they make “cute” mistakes. I have had parents try to tell me something they see as cute and funny in front of their child and visibly watch the child shrink. It might be as simple as a mispronounced word or trying to put on socks. I certainly don’t want people laughing at me as I am in deep concentration learning a new skill. I understand that these may become fun stories to share in families but with time,not in the moment. Years ago my 10 month old grandson was putting on dad’s shoes, emptying drawers and climbing in,etc. All very developmentally appropriate. He then found a small jar lid and very dramatically lifted his leg and sat on it. He was so serious as he tried to fit in this tiny lid. Cute? No, he was experimenting with how he fit in space, developing math skills. When students tell me a child is cute, I make a point of helping them understand that this is not truly respectful of the child. At a later date I tell them the dean asked me about my class. I can tell her that it’s a great class. They are all so cute. Or I can tell her that it’s a great class. They are curious learners who support each other with respect. We then discuss that idea and most all get it.

Could you offer me some insight on how to how to manage my child’s anxieties once I start going back to work now that the lockdown has been lifted?

I was thinking of this too; I cringe every year when I see that he’s done it again.

Great article though I have to say I’ve never found a picture of a crying baby funny! I find it distressing as I want to know what’s wrong and how I can help! I prefer pictures of babies laughing. Their laugh is often infectious.