(PHOTOS) Hopkins Students Try 48 Hours Of Parenting

Hannah Wolfson is a sophomore, and she has a baby.

Effy is 14.5 inches and 4 pounds, 12.5 ounces. She’s also made of a two-liter pop bottle, nylons and fiberfill.

Wolfson’s “baby” is actually a 48-hour project for the high school’s child psychology class. The students made the babies themselves. Many went beyond the minimal requirements for a head and body and added arms, legs and baby clothes they bought at Goodwill or found at home.

On Tuesday, they took a field trip to the school’s copy room to weigh the babies and measure their length and head circumference. They then had to carry them around just like a real baby until Thursday’s child psychology class.

Patty Ormson, who teaches the class, said the project gives students a taste for the work that goes into parenting and educates them on pitfalls to avoid.

“They learn all about caring for babies—and after 48 hours, they’re ready to give the babies back,” Ormson said.

Junior Elise Christianson said multitasking was the hardest part. It was difficult continuing with school tasks as usual while holding her 5-pounds-3-ounce baby, “Alexandra.”

“It’s a lot harder than I thought,” Christianson said. “Getting lunch, you had to kind of juggle lunch and your baby.”

Then there are the challenges of fun-loving friends. Senior Edwin Galarza said he had to be on guard against people trying to take his baby. “Tom” actually went missing for one block of the school day.  

“You have to be really careful with them,” Galarza said. “They’re a lot of responsibility that you have to have to look out for 24/7.”

Of course, the fake babies could have perks just like real ones. While Wolfson acknowledged Effy made a scavenger hunt for German class more difficult, she loved the way all her friends wanted to look at it.

“It was just darling,” Wolfson said. “I personally just had a ball.”