Wednesday, February 15, 2006

the giggle

this video is from september 14 2005

7 comments:

Lisa's Diet said...

What a cute clip, video posting is great.

Anonymous said...

I do not know you but came across your blog by chance. I am a parenting instructor and feel compelled to speak. This bouncing move is not good for your baby's brain. Although it is done in play and she likes it - it is similar to the back and forth movement known as 'shaken baby syndrome'. You can check this syndrome out online. I can tell you love her - she just needs more gentle play until she is older.

derek salmon said...

dear anonymous,

i don't know if you will be around to read this but i just looked up the definition of shaken baby syndrome and it absolutely is NOT what you have seen here. it is violently shakes a baby in anger (usually out of frustration with crying). this tickling game that my husband was playing with our 7 month old (who had great head control back then--she is nearly one year old now) is harmless. dad's are by nature, more rough with their children than moms. BUT my husband is extremely cautious and careful when it comes to our daughter. there was no "whiplash" or any movements like that in the game. he probably released her at about one inch or less from his hands to the bed.

i understand that you felt compelled to write but i really don't think it is justified. maybe if the game went on for more than a few minutes, but i assure you, our baby is healthy, nearly one year old and has not had any evidence of shaken baby syndrome (here is a link to
shaken baby syndrome symptoms).

Michelle said...

i didn't think there was anything wrong the first time i watched it, and after reading that comment, i went back and watched the video again.

i agree, amanda, diedre was fine. she wasn't lifted high up off the bed, her head wasn't getting whipped back and forth, etc. certainly no more than getting (gently) bounced on your hip (which my babies loved!).

the only way i'd be worried was if she was being dropped several feet off the bed (not inches!) or if her head was getting jerked around.

Lisa's Diet said...

Oh geez how horrible to have an anonymous person wag their finger at you, no matter how nice they are trying to be. I think the teacher is being a little to zealous!

derek salmon said...

i am the worst father in the world,
derek

Jessi said...

Amanda and Derek -- how horrible that someone who 'chanced' on your blog and doesn't know you could respond like that. Dad's are the fun ones, and naturally do the crazy play. Garnet held Tim upside down at a month old -- he was throwing him on the bed and wrestling not long after. As loving parents I think we are intelligent enough to know what his healthy for our baby!! How sad that someone could take something as beautiful as a dad loving the special moments with his daughter and try to make it something so horrible.

Keep loving her as much as you do -- and ALWAYS remember to have fun with her. You are both great parents - don't ever let others make you doubt that. As I have learned -- there will always be someone around to tell you what you are doing wrong -- the best thing you can do is not listen!!