AP/NP and the older child/ren

[TwoBoysOnly]

Any ideas/suggestions when AP/NP older children????

[gremily]

Same sort of deal really.

If dd1 has done something we don't approve of we talk about it. If it's not resolved she is sent to her room to think about what she's done. She can scream, yell, do what she likes, but at the end of the day she calms down because we don't respond to her when she does that.

We still occasionally sleep with dd1. She likes to hop into bed with me if DF has to work really late, or we'll sleep on the sofa bed in the lounge on the weekend. She likes the closeness.

Hmm, not really thinking much atm. Will have to come back and add more another time!

[Funkychicken]

AP/NP parenting can continue way beyond babyhood. As the babywearing/breastfeeding years start drawing to a close, it is time to think more about issues such as education and freedom of choice (in the bigger sense). Discussions become more common on a variety of subjects and I find one of the more difficult challenges is to not always present my opinion on subjects, but to allow my children to come to their own conclusions. Allowing them to make choices with which they have to accept the consequnces even if it doesn't turn out the way they had hoped. I guess I try to always be there to support them regardless of whether I think something is wise or not-and to do this without judgement or the 'I told you so" comment.
Our big ones are 8 and 6 and they still like to hang out in our bed now and then. We still have a 'family' snuggle some mornings although this is becoming rarer.
One of the biggies that I struggle with at times is for me to be able to say, "I am not really sure about that but let me have a think about it and we'll talk more about it later." This can apply to random questions (big and small) and to discipline and to when I am unsure of whether I want to say, "Yes you can." This can often avoid a battle.

Following on from the baby/toddler style of AP parenting is really just a continuation but with more forethought. I wish you well. :)

[kymmy]

For me I like to communicate openly with my children and allow them to talk to me and have cuddles when needed.
My big kids sleep together - they are 7 and 4. So not with us any more.
Respect your children at any age. Listen to them.
Natural consequences - let the child make own decisions and to learn from what happens when they make thoise choices - taking responsibilty for themselves (relative to their age)
I don't know much about AP methods but I think its about attachment or doing things by instinct or naturally. That is how I parent. Whatever works for me as the mum and my family as a whole.

[TwoBoysOnly]

hmm... that is basically what we have been doing since moving on from AP/NP as babies... they are now 6 and 4 and are encouraged and supported to make their own decisions and therefore suffer or enjoy the consequences of those decisions we are also looking into sending them to montessori or steiner schools next year but they are so expensive....

[Ffrenchknickers]

I think alot of NP parents use Steiner and find it fits well with tier philosophy....as well as Montessori.

For us, homeschooling feels right as a natural progression and have found that his confidence/social skills have gotten better if anything through this....I am amazed.

There is a Steiner school over near us at Samford, is there another one in Brisbane? You are right about the cost.

[TwoBoysOnly]

Nope just that one in Brissie but we are thinking of moving back to the coast and there is one down there as well (one of each). We would like to home school - having problems AGAIN with DS1's school, wrote a letter last week and just had a phone call just before - all sorted now.....I want to send them there if I can work out if we can afford it...just don't want to go to Full time work as I would miss out on too much of kids

[KapowSchazam]

Sorry to hijack your thread TBO, but I was wondering if you could PM me the details of the schools at the GC??? Pretty please?!?!

rightyo....back to you... :D

[kymmy]

There are no alt schools around here but the school my daughter goes to is fantastic. I agree with what they teach and how they deal with things. Its also a small school which I think helps a great deal. Ideally I would like to home school but we teach and learn together as much as possible. We go on holidays and make a learning experience for us all.