So, this happened.
I settled in to read my book for the evening when my phone rang. It was a friend I wouldn’t typically hear from on a Friday night. I answered the phone and heard a baby crying – hard – and my friend was close to tears, too. She was babysitting her grandson for the first time so the parents could go on a date, and instead of the sweet, bonding evening she envisioned, her grandbaby became hysterical as soon as the parents were out the door.
After 20 years in the business, I’m now at the age when my friends are becoming grandparents. This Friday night call of desperation from my new grandparent friend, however, was a first for me.
Having tried all the tricks she could think of, my friend turned to me before throwing in the towel.
“I don’t know what to do to get him to stop crying,” she said. “I think I need to call them to come home.” Quickly, I donned my doula hat and replied in my Zen calming voice (but loud enough to be heard over the crying) and began walking her through steps to calm her grandbaby. I told her, “You’re going to get some exercise tonight.” If you’ve been putting off regular exercise, being able to keep up with your grandkids is as good a reason as any to stay strong and healthy.
Within mere seconds of her doing the moves I suggested, I heard baby’s cries change from frantic to whimpering and then sweet quiet. That’s when Grandma let loose with tears of relief.
I’m happy to report, the rest of the night babysitting went well.
Her grandson drank his whole bottle and only fussed a couple more times before sleep. “When he started fussing, I just put him in the Pam hold,” my friend said. And, she didn’t have to give up and call her kids to come home from their date. Big Grandma points there.
I’m SO delighted I was able to help a friend!!! But mostly I’m so glad that both were able to calm down and spend the evening together.
What did I tell her to do? Simple.
I told her to use the “swaddle hug” to minimize stimuli and do “mini elevator drops” or the doula hula to help reset baby’s nervous system.
(Read detailed instructions here: https://allaboutthemom.com/hula-your-way-to-calm.)
Here’s to happy grandparents and happy grandbabies!
