Today, I’m grateful for new experiences and the wonderful things they can teach. This past week, my daughter Rachel had a unique assignment in one of her classes. She was tasked with motherhood—or rather a test-drive of motherhood—complete with a plastic newborn “baby.” The doll included a monitor that made it emit a cry whenever it was hungry, tired, needed a diaper change… or just for no reason at all, as real babies are prone to do. If Rachel didn’t immediately tend to the baby’s needs, its cries got louder. And louder. Rachel also wore a special wristlet to gauge her distance from the baby—so she could never leave her baby with a sitter because if she ever got too far away when the baby had needs, she would cry. Yep, louder and louder.
On Saturday afternoon, Rachel wanted to head to the mall for some shoe shopping.
The baby and I went along, of course!
Rachel was tired before the excursion, having spent a good deal of the night awake with her fussy baby (Wow! These dolls are amazing, aren’t they?). As we shopped, the baby was extremely demanding, prolonging a simple shoe-shopping trip into a three-hour ordeal complete with a couple of feedings, burpings, and a diaper change. By the time our adventure ended, Rachel flopped into the car and said, “I can’t do this!” I just had to smile… she WAS doing it and doing a great job.
I have to tell you, I was very impressed by Rachel’s responsiveness and patience. She took care of the baby’s needs before her own, despite her obvious fatigue. She’s even become quite attached to the doll during the experiment, adding bows to her hair and dressing her for church on Sunday—imagine if the doll could return a smile or offer a giggle! It’s been a wonderful “test drive” that has taught her how important yet taxing motherhood can be. And it’s taught me how great Rachel is—happy being a sweet teenager, with all the makings of a great parent. We’ve both been glad for the experience… and so thankful it isn’t the real thing!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Thankful Thursday: Lessons Learned on the “Test Drive”
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I ran across a young 'mother' last month having the same scholastic experience. It's a great lesson in so many ways. The one thing the dolls can't offer is the love and bonding that occur with the real thing. I guess it's a good thing that part is kept a secret for awhile longer =) I enjoyed the sneak peak into your 'home' life. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful young woman.
ReplyDeleteI love the pictures! Analisa did the same thing with the exact same kind of baby. They even had the same skin color. She made the most precious scrapbook of the experience; What she learned and a letter to her own future baby. It's a treasure. I'll have to show it to you sometime:)
ReplyDeleteMy daughter did this as well in her school here in Boise.....BEST experience ever!!! She too got attached to her doll.....and was VERY tired after the fourth day....I think every teen should be required to take this course. Very good lesson learned!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful daughter!
I think this experience of Rachel's you described SHOULD be manadatory in all schools across this great nation of ours!!! AND I think it should be manadatory for the YOUNG MEN also so they get a taste of all the responsibilities also. It's a great lesson to learn!!! But like someone's comments from above, having your own baby to cuddle, love, etc. is the ultimate motherhood/fatherhood experience. "Ain't nothing like the real thing - baby" applies here.
ReplyDeleteBecky Coburn
We met my SIL, nephews and niece for dinner Friday. Little did we know that we would have another "baby" with us as well. It was a great experience for my niece, as well as the other diners. I'm glad some teens have the opportunity to learn it's really work, no matter how cute the baby is.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter just completed her "baby" experiment. That doll was loud! Brought me back a few years but it was a great learning experience for my daughter and she got 95% on the project.
ReplyDeleteMy boyfriend's sister just did this and it was so great to see her do this. She got frustrated at times and even called me to ask me what I did with my oldest and with my twins in the middle of the night. I told her to sing...and the "baby" loved it! Your daughter is very pretty and I am glad you both had this great experience!
ReplyDeleteWhen my oldest (now 2 1/2) was a new born I too went to the mall at the same time as a few girls that were doing their Baby projects. Somehow we ended up in a lot of the same stores. I am a young mother and look like I could belong in high school so it shocked people how life like MY baby was... I just laughed. I'm sure you daughter did a great job. Can't wait to watch my kids go through fun experiences like this.
ReplyDeleteI'm so old that when we did this 'life skill exercise' it was with *raw eggs* (I had twins...lol) and not programmed dolls. I too think every teen (boy and girl alike)should be made to do this. Sounds like Rachel came through with flying colors (no doubt in part due to having a stellar example to follow) and learned a few things - one of which how precious sleep is! LOL Thanks for sharing her experience - it has brought back great memories of highschool.
ReplyDeletemy daughter is going to be a "mommy" next year with one of these dolls. she even starts with wearing a pregnant " belly " at her school boys who take the class even have to wear the tummy.!! it is so funny. i love this class. Your daughter is very pretty!!!
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