So... I seem to be doing attachment parenting. Not because the books told me to, but because it seems to be what came naturally and felt right (despite having very clear ideas about what I was going to do before DS came along...)
The only stumbling block seems to be the babywearing... I was once again reading about all the benefits (it's SO easy, you get LOADS done, baby is happy...). I've heard about people wearing the baby all day and getting chores done, attending to other DCs, going for walks, shopping, even breastfeeding while walking from one tube station to another and decided, yet again, to give it a go. After all, there are things that need to be done that are a tad difficult if I'm stuck on the couch with DS sleeping on me.
On with the sling (it's a ring-sling with non-stretchy fabric. Apparently it has 7 positions, apparently it's foolproof) and on with the housework. I emptied the dishwasher and filled it, emptied the washing machine and hung the laundry and made myself toast. Fabulous. Except it wasn't...
I emptied the washers with one hand while steadying DS with the other. All the plates and mugs got put in the cupboards haphazardly, and the dishwasher got refilled by dropping cutlery from a height as bending down just seems so awkward (I keep squashing DSs legs every time, or else I feel like he'll fall out) which is not very nice or relaxing... after having made 4 trips between the washing machine and the clothes horse (carrying as much as I can grab in one hand at a time) and then "hanging" everything pretty much where it fell out of my one free hand I then struggled with the toast to the point where it might just have been easier to not bother...
I JUST DON'T GET IT. How is it easy? I can't even bloody wash my hands because I can't reach the tap with the sling and DS in it blocking my way to the sink. It all just reminds me of being heavily pregnant, the awkward bending and weird shuffling to get anywhere. Did I mention that my back is KILLING me? Also, DS was not happy and content, he was either grunting (because he was uncomfortable) or panting (because damn it, it can't be easy to breathe with your head on your own shoulder or stuck in my armpit) and HOW ON EARTH is he supposed to be "learning about the world while I go about my business" when he's bunched up in my armpit?
Seriously, I know I'm unreasonably irritated by such a small thing, but I think what really gets me is that it's supposed to be so wonderful (unlike changing nappies at 3AM - I don't enjoy it, but it doesn't bug me because I'm not constantly reading about people hearing angels sing while they're at it).
My usual MO (leaving DS on his sheepskin/in his bouncer and madly dashing around the house trying to get everything done before he either wakes up - which he does after a few minutes unless he's sleeping on me - or gets fed up and starts crying) doesn't really sit well with me because a) I can't get anything done and b) when he's awake and happy I want to hang out with him, not leave him on his own and attending to him when he's fed up.
Any thoughts?