The Continuum Concept

Before "Attachment Parenting," there was the continuum concept approach to child-rearing. Although this concept wasn't conceived as an approach to parenting, that's what it has become for many parents who wish to raise their children in a natural way. Jean Liedloff formed her continuum concept after spending time among the Yequana people who live much as our ancient ancestors did.

The continuum concept approach to child rearing includes many practices that are familiar to attachment parenting families such as holding pre-crawlers most of the time, nursing frequently, and sleeping together in the same bed. In addition, the continuum concept includes speaking to children using an adult style of language (not baby talk), respecting children as individuals who are in control of themselves (not to be coerced), and trusting them to look out for their own safety.

The goal of a CC parent is to adequately meet the evolutionary expectations of their children. These expectations begin with constant skin to skin contact, nursing immediately upon signaling their need, and exposure to their parents' daily activities and environment. As these kids get older, their parents include them in their daily activities, allow them the freedom to learn and explore, and trust them to follow their own instincts.

Unlike Attachment Parenting, the continuum concept doesn't bend to mainstream lifestyles. For this reason, it's difficult to make it work perfectly. But, for those who see it's value, the effort is worth the payoff: children who grow up to be fulfilled adults having had their needs fully met.

Ideally, children would be raised in a village atmosphere where they would be constantly in the arms of a caregiver until they chose to crawl or walk on their own. Then they would follow their own interests and imitate the useful life work done by older children and adults.

Although the village atmosphere is ideal, modern parents can include friends and family in their lives, perhaps live in an extended family household, so their children get the opportunity to interact with people of all ages, and so parents don't become overwhelmed by the parenting responsibility. Parents, older siblings, and others can include the children in their activities so the children, who are genetically designed to imitate, learn to participate in adult life. Parents can feed their children unprocessed foods that won't adversely affect their children's ability to learn. Essentially, parents must follow their instincts regarding the cues of their children.

Jean Liedloff formed her concept as a way of life expected by humans based on thousands of years of evolution. She believes that this way of life is required in order for us to become healthy, happy adults. For those of us who didn't receive ideal conditions when we were children, the understanding of what we missed can help us try to recreate those conditions or make up for them in some way so we can become happier people.

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