Parenting ( 19
NORTH BAY BOH EMI A N | SEP T E M BE R 1 2–1 8 , 20 1 2 | BO H E M I AN.COM
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Community Foundation Sonoma County, in partnership with 10,000 Degrees, is launching a venture that will provide financial aid advising and advocacy, mentorship and scholarship funding to students in Sonoma County. We believe that all Sonoma Country high school students deserve the opportunity to pursue education after high school to fulfill their dreams. To learn more about Scholarship Sonoma County or 10,000 Degrees. please contact: Lisa CarreĂąo Executive Director Scholarship Sonoma County 707.303.9612 lcarreno@sonomacf.org www.sonomacf.org
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not that you are tone-deaf or have rhythm, but that you are willing to wiggle and gyrate, yodel and hoot, preferably all at the same time. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m amazed at all I can get done while entertaining Malloryâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;dishes, gardening, vacuuming, even a little weight lifting. As for stuff: some of the most potent baby accoutrements are likely gathering dust in your closet. My previously neglected giant Pilates ball can bounce away even the crankiest mood, and my husbandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s old harmonica has become our secret weapon for long car rides. And some form of sturdy carrier is essential since, like all primates, babes do love to be in arms. What You Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Need You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need all those toys that claim to make your offspring smarter. Mallory may be temporarily distracted by that Baby Einstein octopus reciting the colors of the rainbow in three languages (Mon Dieu!), but in ďŹ ve minutes sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be bored with it and resume drooling all over my lap-top cord. You also donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need new stuff. Save your
cash for happy hour. Blankets, breast pumps and Baby Bjorns can all be found in great, barely used shape at consignment stores and in other peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s garages. Besides, no new BPA- and PVC-free toy that rattles and squeaks can yet compare to her empty diaper-wipe bag. Go ďŹ gure. How to Deal Give up trying to Do It All. Laugh at her farts. Save the dangly earrings for date night. Make time for date night! Check your email later. Make friends with fellow parents and stroll your babies around Spring Lake. Treat all those (maddeningly contradictory) baby books like boxes of free stuffâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;take what you need and leave the rest. And donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be afraid to change your tune. After six months of cozy bed-sharing, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve gotten tired of waking up with Mallory nestled in my armpit and with my neck kinkier than a fetish party. Good news: infants, like pets, are utterly adaptable and trainable, as long as you are consistent and patient.