Attachment Parenting

This is Attachment Parenting month. You know when I had my first daughter M, I never even heard of this term. It wasn’t until I was looking at mom groups online, that I ran across this term. I read it and my mouth just dropped open. It described my parenting style to a TEE. Here I just thought, I was just doing what was natural to me and never knew it was a specific parenting style.

I always listen to my daughters’ and follow their lead. Especially as newborns, I absolutely did not and still do not let them cry. Crying It Out term just brings me to tears :(. I don’t believe kids should be left in swings, exersaucers or any other baby equipment long periods of times either. Yes it is fine to do 10 to 15 minute increments throughout the day, but not prolonged. I always liked to rotate and do various activites throughout the day, but I was always there with them and not just plopping them down to fend for themselves. I take being a mother very serious :). I wore (babywearing) my girls A LOT as well. Heck I still carry my 4 year old A LOT. It worked for us and we loved to always be attached. Plus it helped me get things done throughout the day such as laundry, cooking, cleaning etc. They are only babies once… we have to cherish that time. They will grow up to be independent in their older teen years… these early years we are laying the foundation for them.

Needless to say, we never used a crib either. We have co-slept since day one and still going strong as M and L are 4 and almost 6. I have no plans in stopping either soon. I will follow their lead once again. I get a lot of heat from family and friends, but guess what… I could care less ;). This is my parenting style and it is what works best for us. I could never imagine not reading my children’s cues so closely and just ignoring them such as leaving them in a crib to cry….

I feel like my girls and I are really close and I often wonder if my parents were into attachment parenting back so many years ago if I would have a closer relationship with them. I still teach my girls to be strong, but we do it our own way. The teachers at school say M loves to mother the other kids, and that just brings the biggest smile to my face. I feel like I had a part in that 🙂

I know this post is all over the place, but attachment parenting is very dear to my heart. I am so glad the good Lord up above blessed me with my two wonderful girls and has led me into the path of attachment parenting. Like I said, its all natural to me and I just was doing what felt “real” to me. I hope I am setting great examples for my girls and I just know they will be attachment mothers as well!

Happy Attachment Parenting Month 🙂