[rainbow8]

My T has always told me that my grandchildren can help satisfy my need for touching and holding. I had such an experience a couple of days ago while baby-sitting for my 6 month old grandson in my home.

He's been hard to comfort when my daughter leaves, and cries a lot. Carrying him around helps, but he's heavy, even for my husband. Holding him doesn't always work, either. I felt so bad for him! I held him very tight, all snuggly with his soft blankie, sang to him, and then told him comforting statements like "I love you. I'll keep you safe. You know I'm your Mommy's Mommy?" Of course he didn't understand the words. He still cried but I kept talking and holding him. I started crying too, spontaneously! After about 10 minutes, he fell asleep in my arms and I put him in his infant seat.

It was an emotional and somewhat healing experience for me! I felt so close to him, and wanted to make him feel safe. I wondered if that's how I felt as a baby. I know all babies cry, but his mouth would start quivering, then he would start to smile, and then he would go back to crying very hard. I wanted to protect him and make him feel safe. I'm not sure why I started crying but it felt healing for me.

Later, again he was crying and I sang to him, and held his hand while he was in his seat. He fell asleep after awhile. I should have had my H take a picture of us. I want to draw us holding hands so I can have that image be stronger than the one of my T and me holding hands.

[adel34]

Aww,Rainbow! That's so touching! You're a great Gramma.

Rain, I have found the touch of a grandchild healing as well. They are a gift . What a beautiful moment.

[winter4me]

Isn't it wonderful?

[unaluna]

He might be crying because you weren't talking to him before thIs?! Six months, he might not be able to talk, but I bet he understands a lot of what's going on. Unless he was extremely premature and is just catching up. But if he's that heavy, he's pretty big. I remember getting a sore arm from holding my nephew, then not realizing why! I like that, you're his mommy's mommy. He probably was thinking, who is this strange lady??! Nobody ever tells me anything! Poor little guy!

[ECHOES]

That is so sweet, rainbow.
I think that calming words creating calmness, and that he felt that calmness from you, and was soothed by that along with your soothing words. I think that's why singing works with babies and young children.

Maybe you could get a baby snuggie carrier for when he visits