Whats AP?

[Smurfette]

I know this sounds silly, and I kind of understand, but can someone cleary define what Attachment parenting is all about?

[Goosie22]

Attachment Parenting (http://www.attachmentparenting.org/info.shtml) is what it stands for.

Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attachment_parenting) definition

[kymmy]

To me, attachment parenting is about staying close to your child,
helping him feel secure.

[evesmum]

generally speaking attachment parenting parents are believers in one or more of the following:

Breastfeeding (and beyond infancy)
Co-sleeping arrangements
healthy nutrition (eg vegan, vegetarian, organic, general junk food free)
natural birth/homebirth/lotusbirth
discipline without fear/standover tactics/smacking. ect.
alternative medicines
natural play materials (wooden toys, water, material)
informed immunisation choices

attachment parenting could be classed as a parenting method which focuses on alternatives to mainstream parenting in that a more 'natural' instinctive approach is taken to pregnancy, childbirth and parenting. attchment parenting may sometimes be viewed as "hippy" in that concious choices are made regarding parenting through avoiding mainstream ideas such as drugged labours elective c-sections, controlled crying, cot sleeping, harsh discipline (smacking, yelling, 'bullying', threats), elective bottlefeeding.

While everyone has there own way of parenting their child/children and not all attachment "parenters" believe in or have been able to engage in all attachment style beliefs. It would generally be agreed that attachment parenting is an attempt to 'reground' our birth choices and parenting skills which have been uprooted by many mainstream beliefs that western society regards as being 'right' such as; it not being 'right' to breastfeed past infancy or it not being 'right' that a child sleep with his/her parents or event that it is 'right' as a parent to control your child through punishment. These types of "rights" only confuse the simplicity of natural parenting as each of us (women particulalry) has an innate instinct that knows exactly how to give birth naturally and parent through love and respect.

I hope no one thinks Im being righteous about this topic I am completely open to constructive criticism or differing opinions. :yes:

[Seekrit]

From what I've read, it's using your instincts as a parent and not so much textbooks :)

[evesmum]

hi,
attachment parenting is the term used for those parents who support &/or practise most of the following:

:co-sleeping
:gentle discipline (discipline without fear, smacking, yelling ect)
:breastfeeding ( beyond infancy)
:healthy eating choices (vegan, vegetarian, organic, junk food free)
:natural birthing choices (vaginal delivery/homebirth/lotusbirth)
:alternative therapies (naturopathy, homeopathy ect)
:informed immunisation choices
:minimal or no tv,computer games ect (more parent/child play, outdoor games)

While everyone has thier own opinions regarding parenting, attachment parenting focuses on alternatives to main stream beleifs about what is 'right' for a child. mainstream beliefs such as controlled crying, enforced cot sleeping, elective bottlefeeding/forced breastfeed weening ect. Attachment parenting supports natural or instinctive parenting through concious decision making based on parental instinct.

Hope this helps :)

[evesmum]

sorry for the double post my mail was not being posted, but then obviously it did!

[Funkychicken]

All of the above!:D Tracy, you're doing a fantastic job of nurturing your beautiful Liv! Maybe without even knowing it you are already doing many of these things.:thumbsup:

[Smurfette]

Thanks everyone. I didnt realise what I was doing was classed as "attachment parenting', I was just doing what I thought was normal, instinct I guess, I didn't know there was a name for it.

I love what I do for Liv, it all comes natural for me, we guide each other.