Michael Challenges Grandma's Permissiveness

Less than an hour later, I have changed my mind. If, within 24 hours, Michael has progressed from turning pages, to crumpling pages, to tearing out whole pages, will he be decimating our book collection within a month? Note how pleased with himself he seems. Anne and I have decided to discourage tearing books, even Richard Scary. Our friend Sarah suggests giving him magazines to rip and crumple. I tried giving him the New Yorker (2006 issue); it crumpled beautifully, but it didn't tear easily. He didn't like it as much; he didn't laugh at the cartoons.

Rose challenges:

We all know you didn't like those books, mom. Don't try to pin this on Nate.

His dad is less skeptical:
The first thing he shredded, a few weeks ago, was an ad I had pulled out of the Sunday Times for a limited-edition Mets commemorative Christmas ornament which Anne and I were thinking about getting for Rose. He really chewed, drooled, and tore it to soggy pieces. I don't know if that means he's a Mets fan and was just trying to rip out the coupon so we could order it immediately...or more likely, he instinctively hates the Mets for what they did to the Red Sox in 1986.

Please vote on whether Michael should tear Richard Scary books or the New Yorker.

Difference Between Mothers and Grandmothers

I was a permissive parent, always valuing creativity over order. But my children were not encouraged to eat, tear, or scribble on books. I thought of editing my post from yesterday; I was determined to follow the same policy with Nate. But one day later, I have decided to make one exception for Nate. I have never liked the Richard Scary books, but they have endured for over 30 years. So Nate can do what he wants with them. He has already mastered tearing a page. He was fascinated by the result, playing with the paper for a few minutes. Strangely, he never put it in his mouth. Since yesterday, turning pages is his favorite activity

Nate and Books

The best way to read to Nate is for both of us to lie on the bed. I can hold the book a little out of Nate's reach. When he sits on my lap, he seems more interested in the book as a physical object. He seems to be trying hard to pick the pictures off the pages. He is beginning to master turning pages. I do discourage him from crumpling pages or chewing on anything but board books. He has discovered had to flip from the center of the book back to the end papers.

Nate and Vanessa's Huggy

Nate and Grandma Mary's Teddy Bear

Upside Down

Nate loves to rough-house, and he is very strong, with excellent muscle tone. Both Vanessa and John are delighted to oblige.