WFMW - Quieting babies

My first born didn’t cry all the time, but when it did, it was usually in the car.

Now there’s not a lot you can do for a crying baby when you’re driving. You can talk to her, reach back with one hand and try to rub her while missing the cars around you or you can cry yourself. I’ve tried all three. I wouldn’t recommend the last two suggestions.

But one day I was at my wit’s end. I was sooo full of despair that I just started singing to let it out. Full-blast, as operatic as I could make it, came O Holy Night. And what to my wondering ears did I hear? A miniature baby not making a tear.

That’s right folks. The ever-so-loud and quavering song totally threw her for a loop. I’m not sure if it was shock of such a different kind of singing or the fact that it was a God song that did it, but I didn’t care. It worked. And when you’re desperate, you take what you can get.

And it worked every time for both of my babies. (The others in the car may look at you strangely, but when they see the affect it has on your baby, they will completely understand. They may even want to join in. But don’t let them. It’s nice saying that you’re the only one able to do this for your child…)

So my suggestion is to let it out, give it to God and to let those vocal chords ring. The most you have to lose is your dignity if others are in the car. And honey, you lost a lot of that a long time ago when you agreed to change cashmere for spit-up.

Go see Shannon for some other fabulous tips.