AK89
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I just posted this on Facebook and thought some of you might be interested..
I've been spending a lot more time on {MODERATOR EDITED} as opposed to on here lately 'cause - as a firm believer in gentle/attachment parenting - I quite often come across discussions on here that make me feel sad and uncomfortable. This isn't a dig at anyone, I promise!! I just feel more at ease over there. And the ladies there are lovely and VERY quick to respond
If there's anyone that feels like they might be interested in that, I'd love to see you over there!
Anyway here goes..
"I know y'all must be getting sick of me sharing parenting-related articles and the like, but this is really nice and I think everyone could benefit from reading it, not just parents. Society has come so far since the days of giving your kid a clip round't'ear'ole for stepping out of line, and I like to think we'll keep moving in the same direction, for the benefit of future generations. I'm thankful to my mum and dad for making the steps towards positive parenting. I know my mum has shown a great deal of remorse for some of her parenting choices recently (most prominently, sleep training) but you were taking a big step in the right direction anyway - from your dad making out like you were being manipulative at 6 months old because your face lit up when he came in the room after you'd been crying!) - and I like to think that you both play a large part in how I am as a parent today. Any small (or big) step in the right direction deserves acknowledgement, and I'm a firm believer that the decision of the vast majority of parents are made with their children's best interests at heart.
I'm sure a lot of you will roll your eyes at this and see it as just another post about attachment/gentle parenting, which I can imagine a fair number of people - particularly those who don't have kids - find it hard to get on board with. In fact I was pretty much one of them not long ago, before I properly knew what it was all about! Before becoming a parent myself, I never saw the problem with things like Supernanny and the naughty step, and I probably didn't have much of an opinion on sleep training... It's recommended by the NHS so it must be fine, yes? Luckily my maternal instincts kicked in when Mia was born and I found myself unable to listen to her cry for even a couple of seconds without intervening, so I started trawling the internet in search of new things to try. I stumbled across the concept of attachment/gentle parenting just in the nick of time, and I'm so glad I did. I, like many people, used to think attachment parenting/co-sleeping/rushing to your baby's aid every time they cry, etc. would create a clingy, dependent child who never wants to leave mummy's side. I couldn't have been more wrong! And I'm so glad, 'cause it turns out I'm naturally that kind of parent. I stumbled across this on the internet, but I'm sure many don't, and unfortunately lots of people are willing to go against their instincts in the plight to raise a child who lives up to society's (ridiculous) standards and expectations. Even doctors and health visitors make ludicrous statements, such as they should be sleeping through the night by 6 months. It's seen as a problem that needs to be addressed if your 12 month old still wakes through the night, or sleeps in bed with you, which when considering how common this actually is (beyond the one year mark as well), shouldn't really be seen as a problem at all! It is society's unrealistic expectations which need to be addressed, not the fact that a baby/toddler instinctively feels more at ease beside their mum/dad and wakes intermittently throughout the night, both of which are perfectly normal and even healthy.
What I'm most conscious of avoiding is making people feel alienated by my views and the posts I share on here, and like I'm judging them for doing things differently. This couldn't be further from the truth, and I think the first paragraph of this article sums this up perfectly. I do feel very strongly about the subject, and so I do like to share stuff like this when I come across it, as a means to spread the word and encourage the evolution of child rearing by promoting the practice of attachment parenting and condemning things like sleep training and punishment/reward-based discipline (the practice and the promotion thereof itself, not the people who partake, unaware of the dangers and effects they can have). I certainly do NOT intend to pass judgment on others and their styles of parenting.
Anyway, I've rambled for long enough. All those who have reached this point have earned themselves a nice shiny gold sticker. LOL IRONY!! Read the article - and further into AP/GP - if you fancy, and feel free to let me know what you think! <hides behind reinforced barricade>"
Here's the link to the article:
https://evolutionaryparenting.com/one-step-at-a-time/
Once again, my intention is not to offend anyone for parenting differently; I know a lot of you on here are fine with sleep training. I just want to make sure any like minded people are aware of the group, and thought the article was a nice read
I've been spending a lot more time on {MODERATOR EDITED} as opposed to on here lately 'cause - as a firm believer in gentle/attachment parenting - I quite often come across discussions on here that make me feel sad and uncomfortable. This isn't a dig at anyone, I promise!! I just feel more at ease over there. And the ladies there are lovely and VERY quick to respond
If there's anyone that feels like they might be interested in that, I'd love to see you over there! Anyway here goes..
"I know y'all must be getting sick of me sharing parenting-related articles and the like, but this is really nice and I think everyone could benefit from reading it, not just parents. Society has come so far since the days of giving your kid a clip round't'ear'ole for stepping out of line, and I like to think we'll keep moving in the same direction, for the benefit of future generations. I'm thankful to my mum and dad for making the steps towards positive parenting. I know my mum has shown a great deal of remorse for some of her parenting choices recently (most prominently, sleep training) but you were taking a big step in the right direction anyway - from your dad making out like you were being manipulative at 6 months old because your face lit up when he came in the room after you'd been crying!) - and I like to think that you both play a large part in how I am as a parent today. Any small (or big) step in the right direction deserves acknowledgement, and I'm a firm believer that the decision of the vast majority of parents are made with their children's best interests at heart.
I'm sure a lot of you will roll your eyes at this and see it as just another post about attachment/gentle parenting, which I can imagine a fair number of people - particularly those who don't have kids - find it hard to get on board with. In fact I was pretty much one of them not long ago, before I properly knew what it was all about! Before becoming a parent myself, I never saw the problem with things like Supernanny and the naughty step, and I probably didn't have much of an opinion on sleep training... It's recommended by the NHS so it must be fine, yes? Luckily my maternal instincts kicked in when Mia was born and I found myself unable to listen to her cry for even a couple of seconds without intervening, so I started trawling the internet in search of new things to try. I stumbled across the concept of attachment/gentle parenting just in the nick of time, and I'm so glad I did. I, like many people, used to think attachment parenting/co-sleeping/rushing to your baby's aid every time they cry, etc. would create a clingy, dependent child who never wants to leave mummy's side. I couldn't have been more wrong! And I'm so glad, 'cause it turns out I'm naturally that kind of parent. I stumbled across this on the internet, but I'm sure many don't, and unfortunately lots of people are willing to go against their instincts in the plight to raise a child who lives up to society's (ridiculous) standards and expectations. Even doctors and health visitors make ludicrous statements, such as they should be sleeping through the night by 6 months. It's seen as a problem that needs to be addressed if your 12 month old still wakes through the night, or sleeps in bed with you, which when considering how common this actually is (beyond the one year mark as well), shouldn't really be seen as a problem at all! It is society's unrealistic expectations which need to be addressed, not the fact that a baby/toddler instinctively feels more at ease beside their mum/dad and wakes intermittently throughout the night, both of which are perfectly normal and even healthy.
What I'm most conscious of avoiding is making people feel alienated by my views and the posts I share on here, and like I'm judging them for doing things differently. This couldn't be further from the truth, and I think the first paragraph of this article sums this up perfectly. I do feel very strongly about the subject, and so I do like to share stuff like this when I come across it, as a means to spread the word and encourage the evolution of child rearing by promoting the practice of attachment parenting and condemning things like sleep training and punishment/reward-based discipline (the practice and the promotion thereof itself, not the people who partake, unaware of the dangers and effects they can have). I certainly do NOT intend to pass judgment on others and their styles of parenting.
Anyway, I've rambled for long enough. All those who have reached this point have earned themselves a nice shiny gold sticker. LOL IRONY!! Read the article - and further into AP/GP - if you fancy, and feel free to let me know what you think! <hides behind reinforced barricade>"
Here's the link to the article:
https://evolutionaryparenting.com/one-step-at-a-time/
Once again, my intention is not to offend anyone for parenting differently; I know a lot of you on here are fine with sleep training. I just want to make sure any like minded people are aware of the group, and thought the article was a nice read
