Clingy...

One of the main changes in recent times is that Otis has gone from being happy to passed around like a parcel at a kid's birthday party to crying for his Mama whenever I leave the room! It's intense and, in many ways, unpleasant, but it is also nice to feel so very wanted and loved. These past few days he hasn't been quite so bad, perhaps because Phil is home on holidays, so we're spending less one-on-one, baby-on-Mama time. So many of the photos I've taken recently depict him with arms outstretched towards the camera, face red and concerned. He'd like me to just carry him around on my hip all day long. I, obviously, am not all that keen on that idea!

During the wedding ceremony in Noosa, Phil had to literally hide Otis so that he couldn't catch a glimpse of me. The minute he does, it's "Mamamamamama..." accompanied by a great big lurch towards me.

What bugs me most, though, are the reactions of others. Other parents generally don't say a word about it — although his Nana and Pa seem inexplicably put out by it all — but childless people love to make comments along the lines of, "Oh, what a Mummy's boy!", or "Don't be such a whinger Otis!" I know they don't understand that this is but a normal stage in a baby's development, and that, if he weren't incredibly attached to me there'd be something seriously wrong, but it still frustrates me that, even after I've explained this patiently, they continue to provide a commentary on the apparently anti-social behaviour of my boy. One such person compared him to a relative of hers — a relative who is 6 months or so older (!), and who "goes to anyone".

Why do I care? I'm not sure. I am not usually someone who cares all that much about the opinions of others, but, for some reason, when it comes to my son and my parenting, I am really sensitive. I try not to show it, but I certainly feel it. It probably has to do with my confidence, or lack thereof, as a mother. I don't know what I'm doing half the time, but I am always, always trying my very best, so comments like these can feel like a bit of a kick in the guts.

One day they'll all get it!