A seasonal refrain sung to the tune of a deep exhalation.
Baby is born.
Baby sleeps through the night.
Baby bites.
Baby crawls.
Baby turns 1.
Baby stops sleeping through the night.
Baby pees in potty.
Baby throws binkies in trash.
Baby starts kindergarten.
Baby stops sleeping through the night.
Baby’s first drop-off.
Baby’s first text.
Baby loses first tooth.
Baby’s first career plan.
Baby stops sleeping through the night.
Baby’s first true love.
Baby’s last Barbie.
Baby’s first head lice.
Baby’s second true love.
Baby’s first first-place.
Baby stops sleeping through the night.
Baby says, “Mom, I like your deodorant. Can you get me some?”
Baby is always right on schedule.
*Not so little. Never ever gone.
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Thank you. Baby _is_ always right on schedule.
Someone criticized me recently for my two-year-old’s tantrums and suggested we discipline him a different way.
I thought of your words, “Did you ever in your heart not know what was right?” I know what is right for the child, and I know he will stop his tantrums right on schedule. And I know I’m loving him the right way.
I’m going to leave the criticism right here in your comment box, if that’s OK. Then I can be done with it.
Comment by Jenell Williams Paris — April 21, 2009 @ 8:49 pm
This post is right on schedule.
I need to be reminded to trust that my baby is right on schedule too.
So am I.
Comment by GailNHB — April 22, 2009 @ 1:49 am
Karen- I read your blog and loved the book- I also find your view of the world a breath of fresh air. I feel compelled to thank you this time for this post though. My second child who is 8 weeks old now was recently diagnosed with Down Syndrome- and what you said is exactly how I want to view our new world. Baby IS always right on schedule. Thank you for the comfort
Comment by Nicole — April 22, 2009 @ 12:21 pm
My baby is about to turn ten, and it’s been a long, slow process of learning that he is, in fact, right on schedule. And I am right on schedule, too!
Comment by Judy Merrill-Smith — April 22, 2009 @ 8:40 pm
as always you make me simplify my thinking!
I left you a gift on my blog.
Comment by Cat — April 23, 2009 @ 4:15 pm
Just FYI, Whole Foods carries some natural deodorants that smell pretty good and work well for girls. Like the apricot–not too overpowering.
Comment by MojoMom — April 23, 2009 @ 11:23 pm
always right on schedule, thank you! our eldest has 'stopped sleeping through the night' recently and after congratulating myself for years on what 'good sleepers' my kids are, i was really thrown by this…time to relax…
Comment by Lisa (Mommy Mystic) — October 14, 2009 @ 6:20 pm
ive come back to read this a few times since you posted it. right on schedule indeed. i had several "right on schedule" moments this week. i'm coming to think I probably had them all the time, I only now know how to see and truly know them.
Comment by katiesmurphy — October 17, 2009 @ 11:21 pm
I thought I was having deja'vu- then I saw my comment about a tiny 8 week old Abigail up above when I was just little me without an internet identity and I realized I was having deja'vu and smiled broadly.
ps- Now at 8 months old dear Abigail continues to be right on schedule- just as predicted. Thank you for helping me to see the future and have condfidence in the past view of the world yet to come. All that talk of past and future isn't very present of me I suppose. But It leaves me smiling in the present and happy to be in it. What a gift.
Comment by Cole — October 20, 2009 @ 10:49 pm