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Not just another "new" parenting style!

© Heike Boehnke

A year ago, I had never heard of "Attachment Parenting". Then I became pregnant. Being a first time pregnant person, I did what all first-timers do, I went and bought baby books, baby magazines, baby underwear, etc., everything with the word BABY on it. I was bombarded with advice and information on becoming the perfect parent. Sadly, one informant contradicted the other. Finally, a friend referred THE BABY BOOK by Dr. William Sears, to me. I like to call it the Baby Bible. (I gave all the others away!). Dr. Sears and his wife, Martha, are supporters of every aspect of Attachment Parenting, and having eight children seems to be enough experience to me.

Attachement Parenting is not a new style of parenting, or some miracle formula to raise a child. This form of parenting is performed in most countries, also the one I am from! It is very simple: start while your child is a baby and integrate them into your life! When my husband and I went out "Babyshopping", I was amazed at all the paraphanelia the Babyworld expected you to buy! Tons of gadgets to keep the baby out of your hair. Something to sit them there, lay them there, even a "feeder" so you don't have to hold the bottle!! Already then I decided that I would raise my baby differently. The American culture promotes a separation of parents and their children that starts in the crib, and I believe that is the beginning of all evil! Parents spend months and hundreds of dollars to prepare a nursery for their baby. Doesn't it strike you unnatural to carry a baby closely for nine months and then expect them to sleep completly alone? Instead of a mother taking her infant to bed with her, she will buy a teddy bear that simulates a heart-beat. Another issue is breastfeeding, in the US.it seems as if you have to go find a place to hide and breastfeed your baby, as if it is shameful (More and more women are insisting on their "right" to breastfeed, thanks to them this is changing).

Many may think that Attachement Parenting promotes dependent children, children that cannot fend for themselves. I know from experience that this is not so. My 9 month old daughter goes everywhere with us. We go out to dinner, at 4 months she sat next to the mayor and chief of police at a charity function, I even take her to work sometimes. People are always commenting on how happy and content she is, that she is social and "why doesn't she cry?".Right then and there I introduce them to our version of Attachment Parenting!