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As someone who really doesn't know, is it actually necessary to have an adult watching a baby every moment of its existence?

enqk 13y ago
And does it have to be a single person, and its genitors?
- jdbernard 13y ago
  Not every moment of it's existence, but a vast majority to be sure. Babies can't do anything for themselves. They are completely worthless and prone to self-injury and self-harm. It doesn't have to be a single person or it's progenitors, but it does need to be someone who genuinely cares for the baby. When I was younger I remember my mother and father would often watch babies for other young mothers who needed time to relax. This seems like a good model, but our culture's irrational distrust of men invalidates half the pool of helpers and our growing disconnection from neighbors and other people jeopardizes the rest.
  - teh_klev 13y ago
    I'm sure you meant "helpless" and not "worthless"?
    - jdbernard 13y ago
      Yes. Sorry, that was meant to be a bit tongue-in-cheek, but that did not really come through here. Even the best parents I know have reached that point of exhausted frustration with their children at some time or another (myself included). I love 'em more than life itself, but they can be little life suckers sometimes.
BSousa 13y ago
Not every moment, and some babies are 'easier' than others. But the baby does need the 'social' contact for better development.
sfjailbird 13y ago
Just because you are not watching them, doesn't mean that they have to be glued to a screen. They could be exploring their environment or other things that engages their motor skills and other senses. I wonder how many commenters here have children? A screen with moving images and sounds is absolutely hypnotic to a small child, and they will get stuck in front of it and sit staring for hours. When it is turned off, they will incessantly beg for it to be turned on, to the detriment of all other activities.
- LeeHunter 13y ago
  This. Given the choice of dealing with a world that is always shiny, bright, cheerful, smooth, clean, and instantly responsive and a world that is frustrating, demanding, ambiguous, unyielding etc an infant (and a helluva lot of adults) will remain transfixed by the screen to the detriment of their physical and mental development.

enqk 13y ago

And does it have to be a single person, and its genitors?

jdbernard 13y ago
Not every moment of it's existence, but a vast majority to be sure. Babies can't do anything for themselves. They are completely worthless and prone to self-injury and self-harm. It doesn't have to be a single person or it's progenitors, but it does need to be someone who genuinely cares for the baby. When I was younger I remember my mother and father would often watch babies for other young mothers who needed time to relax. This seems like a good model, but our culture's irrational distrust of men invalidates half the pool of helpers and our growing disconnection from neighbors and other people jeopardizes the rest.
- teh_klev 13y ago
  I'm sure you meant "helpless" and not "worthless"?
  - jdbernard 13y ago
    Yes. Sorry, that was meant to be a bit tongue-in-cheek, but that did not really come through here. Even the best parents I know have reached that point of exhausted frustration with their children at some time or another (myself included). I love 'em more than life itself, but they can be little life suckers sometimes.

BSousa 13y ago

Not every moment, and some babies are 'easier' than others. But the baby does need the 'social' contact for better development.

sfjailbird 13y ago

Just because you are not watching them, doesn't mean that they have to be glued to a screen. They could be exploring their environment or other things that engages their motor skills and other senses. I wonder how many commenters here have children? A screen with moving images and sounds is absolutely hypnotic to a small child, and they will get stuck in front of it and sit staring for hours. When it is turned off, they will incessantly beg for it to be turned on, to the detriment of all other activities.

LeeHunter 13y ago
This. Given the choice of dealing with a world that is always shiny, bright, cheerful, smooth, clean, and instantly responsive and a world that is frustrating, demanding, ambiguous, unyielding etc an infant (and a helluva lot of adults) will remain transfixed by the screen to the detriment of their physical and mental development.