I love being an attachment parent,...... We sleep with our 15 month old in our bed, she still breastfeeds, we tend to her every need, we do not do the "cry it out", and she has turned out to be the most wonderful, outgoing, happy, easy going child.
Before she was born, I never heard of this concept before and it has worked amazingly for us.
2007-01-01 14:48:14 · 12 answers · asked by Foxtrot 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I think every mom/dad has some attachment parenting in how they parent - they may just not call it that. It's about using your insticts and responding to your childs needs - which any good parent does. But a lot of people don't want to label themselves at all, or they think AP is about cloth diapering and no discipline, so they don't want to call themselves that - which AP is definitely not. I cosleep and breastfeed - would baby wear if my back could handle it, I refuse to CIO. I did cloth diaper for a little while, but that's more natural parenting which a lot of people lump together with AP because they kind of work together.
I think AP is great and it works for us - not that I wouldn't mind having a little extra space with my bed hog of a baby, lol, but she will be in her own room soon enough. I do not in any way believe I am making my daughter any less independent by letting her sleep with us. She is her own person and she needs to know that her parents love and care for her and no matter what - we will be there for her to love her. She will realize that she is allowed to sleep in our bed but she will want her own place in time - whether it be next year or in 2-3 years - that's fine.
And as for the one response about making sure the child realizes that you won't always be there when they cry - what kind of message does that send to your child? You may not always pysically be standing right next to them but as parents - we are always "there" whenever our kids need us - whether they are home or at school or even married with children as adults. We should never stop being there for them just so they learn that everyone doesn't always have someone. Your home should be your safe place for your kids to come to when they need help and guidance - not a place where you say "too bad, no one in real life will care if you cry"....
To each their own - but AP is definitely the way for this family.
2007-01-01 15:05:09 · answer #1 · answered by Rae T 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Good for you! I think that a lot of parents start out with attachment parenting techniques, but due to the negative feedback they receive from everyone around them, quit.
I raised my boys using a combination of both parenting styles based on what worked best for each of my boys (and received many neg. comments about spoiling my kids!). I wore them in a sling often, breast fed them until they weaned themselves (12-18 months), let them sleep in my bed and never let them 'cry it out'. All three of them are smart, loving, secure and independent children who transitioned into their own beds and bedrooms with ease. I wouldn't change a thing I did with them as babies. I think that parenting is very challenging and some parents try to make sense of it by turning it into something they can schedule into their lives. Babies are unpredictable and really only babies once. I say sit back, respond as needed and enjoy the infant stage that goes by way too fast.
2007-01-01 16:50:01 · answer #2 · answered by Momma 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a thought from someone of Buddhist mysticism or some Eastern related philosophical system. The you most likely correlated to the ego, the "I" that we parade around in our daily lives. But our true selves, what's left after the ego has dissolved, exists in a sort of infinity. It's a beautiful notion, it speaks to the grandeur of life, the inner-connectedness of all things. You are here, but you are also everywhere at once.
2016-03-29 03:56:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like alot of the concepts involved in attachment parenting, but I'm not sure I agree with labeling parenting types and having to stick to its "rules". I think people should just do what feels right and natural to them, not worry about if they are doing the "right" thing according to someone elses standards.
That being said, I think it is great that your family enjoys the things you do, keep up the good work!
2007-01-01 18:43:55 · answer #4 · answered by Mitchy 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My husband and I are also raising our son with this type of parenting style. When our son was much younger, it seemed as if no one else held the same parenting philosophy. We were given a lot of criticism, but we stuck to what felt right. He is a teenager now and it has worked great for us. I agree that children need to know your expectations and there have to be boundaries and discipline, but there are very loving and productive ways to accomplish it. Sounds like you guys are doing a great job.
2007-01-01 14:58:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
attachment parenting is not for me, but i think it is totally up to you what you do with your child. i don't think i could relax having my baby sleeping in my bed! she is in a great routine of sleeping all night in her cot, sleeps well during the day and goes off to sleep by herself. i get sick of the attitude that there is only one way of doing things with babies, each baby and parent are different so you have to figure out what you wanna do. my baby has pretty much developed her own routine and she is also the most wonderful, outgoing, happy, easy going child! good for you that you are enjoying the parenting experience.
2007-01-01 14:56:27 · answer #6 · answered by uenuku 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I think it's great as long as there are boundaries. I saw a TV show where the mom was letting her 3 year old run out into the streets and things. As long as when she gets older, she will have certain rules and boundaries, I think it's a wonderful way to raise your child.
2007-01-01 14:52:46 · answer #7 · answered by Jennifer S 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Firstly, congratulations on your baby! It is wonderful to see that you take parenting very seriously. With that kind of start, it almost does not matter what kind of parenting method you decide to use.
Your baby's temperament is a mixture of nature and nurture, and it's hard to say without more info to what extent attachment parenting or genes are responsible for her wonderful personality.
I'm not a big fan of attachment parenting, since it tends to be very strenuous and advocates the sharing of your bed with a small baby (SIDS risk). There is no conclusive body of research to show that attachment parenting really works better then "mainstream parenting", and many of the studies done neglect the influence of a child's innate temperament.
2007-01-01 15:08:31 · answer #8 · answered by Ravenous 1 · 2⤊ 3⤋
If it works for you then that's great. My 18 month old daughter sleeps in her crib everynight, my husband and I like having the bed to ourselves. Hopefully your daughter will transition smoothly to a bed when you choose to do so. To each their own.
2007-01-01 14:59:35 · answer #9 · answered by Melissa 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion I think it can harm the child in the long run. Is she learning anything about Independence? I don't like the idea of my child sleeping in the bed with me...how long do you allow it when does it end? My children have both always had their own beds because once my son slept with us when he was 2mos and my husband accidentally hit him in the head.
I just like the idea of teaching independence and letting your children know that there will be times in life when you won't be there or when they will cry. Don't you think it will be a shock to them when others don't cater to them the way that you do. You may want to think this over.
2007-01-01 15:00:17 · answer #10 · answered by harvem2000 2 · 1⤊ 4⤋