What should I be expecting next from my 7 month ds?

[mum2oliver]

What gestures.speach is next?
Is there a book that can help me to encourage little things that are expected next?
My friends dd is waving bye bye and on seeing this I have started to encourage this but I need more than just hearing it from a friend.Its just knowing the things to encourage.

[Fran1]

Hi i have dd whose nearly two, and i would say just enjoy watching your little one develop in his own way.

Give your ds plenty of experience, things to do and talk to him all the time, even going round the supermarket, tell him and show him what you are putting in the trolley.

It's a great age now because you will see all the things like waving, and learning sounds for animals and cars etc. all come together. Even though we all do it, try not to compare too much with other children, because you'll give yourself unnecessary worries - i know i've done it myself!!

I'm sure that there are lots of books on the market about child's development, but you can also find a good deal on the web. I have a v old textbook from my college days by Mary Sheridan called Birth to five years. It very simply gives ages and stages of children, and the development which can be expected of them. But i have only looked at this once since having my dd as i find it more enjoyable watching her lead the way rather than worrying what the textbooks say she should do.

[mum2oliver]

oh yes I do agree.
I just want to encourage as much as I can but like you say just talk to them as much as possible.
Im a deep thinker and often go off into my world and go silent.I do talk to him as much as I can so I will just chill,Thankyou.

[jamiesam]

My SIL bought me 'Your Child's Development from birth to adolescence' as exactly the sort of book she wishes she'd had when bringing up her now 15, 12 and 9 year old dd's. By Richard Lansdown and Marjorie Walker. Sure it's not the best on the market, but includes lots of stuff like the order teeth should come through in, how play develops from month to month, how to deal with tantrums (ha ha, but worth a try...)I do keep going back to it. Unfortunately, it's true that no child will exactly follow all the charts, but agree it's nice to have an idea - as long as you can be relaxed if they are wayward.

[Fran1]

lol i agree about going off into own world. You have reminded me that i used to feel terribly guilty when it had been just me and dd at home all day, because i'd get to the end of the day and think have i spoken to her enough? It is difficult when you don't get much back from them in terms of speech. But my dd didn't suffer, and people are amazed by how much she says now! And of course it gets easier to talk as they get older because you get a response (not always the one you want - but at least a response!)

[mum2oliver]

Fran1,You are full of much needed advice.It sounds like we are on the same wave length.
Where abouts are you in the world?
How many children do you have and what ages?
I do find myself forgetting to talk also and everyday I think the same-Have I said enough?

[mum2oliver]

Oh sorry jamiesam,thankyou very much.I will go hunting for that book and see what I think.

[Fran1]

I have the one dd who is 21 mths. I'm southeast london. What about yourself?

I have a guilt trip at the end of every day, i think thats what being a parent is about isn't it?

Did i do enough for her today? i should have taken her to the park, i should have done painting, i should have played with her more, etc etc and also i hate myself when i watch the clock until bedtime, i said to my dp today, some days i wish she would play happily in her bedroom and give me some peace sometimes, but sadly when she is a teenager, she will always be in her bedroom wishin we weren't there! and we'll be feeling the opposite.

Actually my real aim is to become her best friend and let her tell her friends i'm her sister, so i can go out clubbing and partying with her to catch up on what i'm missing out on now.

God i'm going to get a big shock aren't i when she grows up and isn't on my wave length ! lol

[mum2oliver]

I feel just the same.
Im in northants.
Its going to hurt when they dont need us as much anymore.But hey it will then be, hello life I havent seen you for ages!!!
Now you have mentioned bedtime I really am going to have to crash now.Iv worked so hard with ds this week (I think/hope).Night.lol.
ps.thanks again for advice.x

[WigWamBam]

If you really want to know exactly what milestones should be being reached and when, What to Expect: The First Year and What to Expect: The Toddler Years are good. But don't get too hung up on what your child "should" be doing because there is a huge variation in their development and each child develops at their own pace. It might be better to use such books as pointers rather than using them to see whether your child is advanced or behind in development. I found it better just to speak, sing, talk and play with my daughter in a way that felt natural to me, rather than try to force any kind of development.