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Attachment Parenting
LizBGood
member
How do you define attachment parenting?
LizBGood
member
My sister and I are both AP with our kids but I wouldn't say I follow a parenting method. I read half a Dr. Sears book once. Mostly, I just do what comes naturally which I suspect a lot of AP mamas do.
The other day, my mother (who was an AP parent herself before such a term even existed) asked what AP was. I was at a loss to effectively explain because its not like I actually follow a "method."
So how do you describe it when people ask?
The other day, my mother (who was an AP parent herself before such a term even existed) asked what AP was. I was at a loss to effectively explain because its not like I actually follow a "method."
So how do you describe it when people ask?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: How do you define attachment parenting?
First-time posting on this board so hi! I think I know what you mean- I really dont feel AP because I dont baby-wear and wasnt able to breastfeed (and therefore feel uncomfortable co-sleeping) and those seem like the obvious aspects to AP. So I feel weird saying I AP.
But at the same time, I make a conscious effort to respond before he cries, hold to the firm belief that my baby's job is to grow and be happy, not make my life easier, and hold him as much as humanly possible. I actually prefer just holding him. I swear people stare when I hold him in public like hes supposed to be in something.
I say "I dont hold tightly to any one style, but what comes naturally to us looks alot like AP." or something to that effect.
House / Baby blog
Well, according to Attachment Parenting International:
API's Eight Principles of Parenting:
Generally, it's about meeting needs with sensitivity and respect.
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Why is this defined as AP. Shouldn't this be parenting in General??
Well, I think it should be parenting in general.
But it's not. The other 8 points are the longer, elaborate, official definition of AP which you are free to read if you actually care.
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I actually don't really ID with Attachment Parenting because those I see doing it, or calling themselves AP, are much more lax on discipline than I would ever feel is appropriate for my family. But those may just be my friends' personalities, rather than AP on the whole. That said, I lurk on this board often because I find that I have a lot in common with people here in the realms of:
- Tending to my child's needs (rather than waiting X minutes before responding)
- Following my instincts as a mother
- Breastfeeding until my child naturally self-weans; using BLW to introduce solids
- Sleeping arrangements based on what gives the whole family the most sleep. For us, this meant co-sleeping in the beginning and gently transitioning to the crib at around 6 months, but still night nursing.
- Including our daughter in all parts of our life; whatever activity we have, we aim to include her and encourage her participation
- Gentle approaches to transitions and we talk her through everything
I don't like labels. In fact, I hate them. When I had my DD 3.5 years ago, there was no such term as Baby Led Weaning (BLW), or at least, no one used it. It was called "getting your baby to eat FOOD". Now there are so many terms and labels so that people can feel like what they are doing is a part of a bigger community of like-minded people. That is just one example of a strange term I see on these boards.
I guess to me the definitions of attachment parenting I have seen on strike me as just describing PARENTING. I don't get the attachment parenting term at all. I breastfed my babies. I carried them in wraps. I respect them and care for them with sensitivity. I would never label this as attachment parenting. To me it's just so weird to put a name to it!