Miss Marvelous’s primary daytime caregiver four days a week is Papa, her grandfather (a.k.a. DH at Rebekah’s Studio). On those days Popo (that’s me) is the backup caregiver, chief cook and bottle washer—literally. This is the first time I’ve had a baby at home. It’s a delightful distraction, or attraction, I should say.
One day last week DH scheduled an important errand in Kaneohe. He was kanalua (hesitant) about leaving the little girl in my charge. “Are you sure this is okay?” No problem, we’ll be fine, I said as he watched me change a diaper. He prepared the next feeding for me. He even conscientiously phoned the baby’s mom to alert her of the shift change.
So I got to have some dedicated quality time with Miss Marvelous. She’s seven months old now, and starting to become mobile. She’s not crawling yet, but she wants to. During tummy time (“Back to sleep, tummy to play,” right?) she rolls from her front to her back in all directions and can inch forward on her tummy just a little.
I placed manipulatives—the correct name for these age-appropriate toys, I learned—in front of her, slightly out of her reach, as an incentive. One of them was a soft cuddly hippopotamus named Hillary who she loves and responds to.
For more encouragement, I got the bright idea to give Hillary a voice. A voice that wasn’t Popo’s, but a higher voice.
Miss Marvelous is into very high-pitched shrieking-screeching-whatever this week. Discovering her vocal chords and finding her voice, perhaps? I have a 6-year-old puppy dog, so I know to reward desirable behavior and to ignore less desirable or plain unacceptable behavior. Therefore, I am ignoring this sound.
It was fascinating to me, then, that when Hillary spoke aloud to Miss Marvelous, how MM responded. Her big blue eyes lighted up even more than usual, she smiled at her friend who was speaking to her and became very animated, actually engaging with the four-legged stuffed toy who by this time was demonstrating how to crawl. Popo became invisible and all attention was on Hillary.
I’ve learned that as soon as the baby rubs her eyes, pulls her ear, or starts to fuss, that it’s time to put her down for a nap. Lucky for both of us, when I put her in her crib and switched off the lights, she was out in less than a minute. Conversing with Hillary and all that exercise on my tummy is tiring, Popo!
Mommy phoned, how’s everything? Baby’s fine, she’s sleeping . . .
Later we read the mail-order catalogs together. Great fun. I tried to multi-task and watch Oprah at the same time, but that was difficult. I don’t allow Miss Marvelous to watch TV yet, but boy, TV is a magnet, and as soon as the baby hears it, she’s drawn to the screen. So I switched back to Soundscapes.
Next, still “reading” the catalogs, Miss Marvelous played the didgeridoo without the instrument, spit flying and all, entertaining herself for about what seemed like an hour. With this ability she can blow the Hawaiian pu (conch shell) too.
Miss Marvelous and Hillary: we made this photo and emailed it to Papa and Mom to show them everything was A-OK!
Another voice. Thank you, dear one.
These experiences reinforced what I believe is a need to claim one’s space and find one’s voice in our changing times, or at any time. Put another way, stop procrastinating, do it now, and speak our piece/peace. What are we waiting for?
That is how I created my healing space and my breathing room and Rebekah’s Studio that make me happy.
Recurring mantra: Claim your space and find your voice Are you listening?
Rebekah’s Studio 
That parenting is challenging is an understatement. More so for single moms (or dads) who, like you, are going to school and/or working. Sometimes we behave in ways that we regret, it’s only human, but we can fix that by apologizing and forgiving, not holding grudges, including against yourself. Remember to be kind and make positive “deposits” to others’ emotional and spiritual “bank accounts” to counter the “withdrawals.” Mahalo for sharing. Aloha to you and Mahina.
Rebekah, you are doing a great job as a “popo.” It’s hard work and a lot of patience but your little one seems to adore you! Last night. . .you know how me and Mahina get into our arguments. . .she can be very difficult at times. Her answering back at the age of 8 just drives me crazy. . .finally my mom yelled, “Eh stop that yelling at your daughter!” “Watch that tone!” So I finally argued with Mahina in Hawaiian. . .We exchanged some harsh words then ended up laughing, she was calling me “Kukae Lepo.” And I was calling her “Mimi.” It was better than what we were saying before. . .finally I told her “E kala mai, Aloha nui au ia ʻoe.” “O au kekahi,” she answered. She was really hurt and I was very hot headed.