Attachment Parenting: Our Way

Awhile back I wrote a blog post about preparing for baby while not breaking the bank where mentioned that we follow many of the principles of Attachment Parenting that are outlined by Dr. Sears. We pick and choose what works for us and our family and just roll with it. Due to our beliefs we often get slack from some of our friends and family members. People are under the common misconception that AP is some new-age-hippie-cultish phenomenon that strong arms women into attending to their child's every need. In fact, it is quite the opposite- women are encouraged to listen to their bodies and the bodies of their children, and by listening and being responsive, a child's basic needs can be quickly and lovingly met. AP is natural; it's as old as time, and it is not interpreted the same way for every family, or even every child. AP means you are lovingly attentive and responsive. It does NOT mean you spoil your child. It does NOT mean you hinder your child's independence. AP encourages you to embrace your infants dependence, and nurture your toddler to promote a strong sense of independence.

As AP style parents we take each day as it comes, and embrace each opportunity to grow into a loving and supportive little family. We learn from our daughter, and as time passes we continue to follow her cues. We don't have the "secret" to successful parenting. We aren't perfect. We just do what we feel comes naturally to us and just go with the flow...

I've decided that I will do a post on each of these "tools" and highlight how we've made them work for our family. Overall, the beauty of parenting is that it is personal to you and your family unit. You get to pick and choose what works best in your home. Many people give unsolicited parenting advice; Please do not misconstrue my posts for "advice"... I am merely describing what has worked for us so far. :)

I will post in the order outlined by Dr. Sears, but tried and tested by millions of women since the dawn of time... You know Eve nursed those babies and wrapped them on her back. 

The 7 B's of AP, what Sears refers to as "Attachment Tools" are:

1. Birth Bonding
2. Breastfeeding
3. Babywearing
4. Bedding close to baby
5. Belief in the language of your baby's cry
6. Beware the baby trainers
7. Balance in your family

**DISCLAIMER: After publishing this blog post, One Smart Cookie summoned mother earth by calling on the spirits of the four winds while chanting around a fire and nursing her toddler in a woven wrap**