When it first began, she was able to crawl but not yet able to walk. She would haul herself to a standing position in front of the mirror and squeal with excitement as she gazed at her reflection. This would go on for hours at a time, meaning that whatever we were doing, we would always end up back in front of the mirror. And it continued for months.
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| Sonja, ten-months old, January 2009. |
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| Sonja, 11-months old, February 2009. |
So it's not unusual or surprising that Haven is now completely in love with her reflection. In fact, it's just as cute watching Haven as it was watching Sonja.
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| Haven, nine-months old, January 2011. |
Sometimes I really wish that babies would grow up still thinking their reflection was the best thing going. It's not that I think we should be raising little narcissists, but with so many people growing up to dislike their bodies and the way they look, a little taste of being enamoured with yourself wouldn't hurt anyone.
But it also makes me wonder and think about all the little nasty things that happen to us as we grow older, things that teach us that it's perfectly fine to dislike or even hate the way we look. Just imagine sweet little babes hating their bodies, or hating something about the way they look, and you'll agree that it is not alright. Why, if it's unthinkable for a small child, is it OK for an adult? When does that change happen?
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