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Welcome to Attachment Parenting International
of Peoria, Illinois
Attachment Parenting International of Peoria (API of Peoria) is a nonprofit
affiliate of Attachment Parenting International. We are a group of moms and dads from the Peoria area who identify with some
aspect of the attachment parenting philosophy. We support one another in our
parenting struggles and successes as we strive to lovingly guide our children
through this very special time in their (and our) lives toward a secure and
successful independence.
Are you an Attachment Parent?
Some would answer that question with an emphatic
"Yes!" But some might repeat the question to themselves and say, "I don't
know - I think so - am I?" or, "I don't think so. I don't practice all of the AP
principles".
We are often contacted by parents like a mother who recently asked, "I didn't
breastfeed my baby, I try to babywear, I like the idea of having an attached
relationship and using positive discipline...is it OK to practice some of the
ideals and not others? Am I still welcome among your group of attachment
parents?"
If you are a
parent who trusts your instincts to nurture, who gets behind your children's
eyes and into their heads, tries to understand what it is like to live from
their perspective and really gets to know them...if you ask yourself, "how would
I feel if I were in my child's place and how would I want to be treated?" If you
strive to have the kind of connection between you and your child that brings out
the best in both of you, and work to understand your child's needs and to help
her feel her best, you ARE an attachment parent. And as an attachment parent,
you not only love your children, you love being with them, learning with them,
and building on that attached relationship for a lifetime.
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What is attachment parenting?
The mission of Attachment Parenting International (API) is to promote parenting
practices that create strong, healthy emotional bonds between children and their
parents. These practices nurture and fulfill a child's need for trust, empathy,
and affection, providing a lifelong foundation for healthy, enduring
relationships.
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Preparation for Childbirth
Our API of Peoria childbirth instructor, Hilary Shirven, has recently become a
certified childbirth instructor for a new organization, BabyBodyBirth®. To
complement our new childbirth classes, we also offer Integrated Yoga taught by
Julie Carnegie Reams, A DONA Certified Birth Doula and approved Birth Doula
Trainer. While Julie is well-versed at ideal poses for
pregnancy, this class is
integrated for all parents to enjoy.
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Message Forums
We all have times in our parenting journey when we need other parents
in our lives to help us make informed decisions, let us vent and lift us up when things
are not going the way we envisioned, and celebrate with us when things are going better than
you ever thought possible. Where can you find this great support network 24/7? Right here in your own backyard,
through the API of Peoria Message Forums. Go
here and follow the step-by-step detailed instructions to join!
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Babywearing
"What is babywearing? Why should I wear my baby? What type of
carriers are out there and which would be best for me?" Join us for an
informational outreach program where a volunteer from our organization will
bring sample carriers and answer all these questions and more. This is a
free service available to the public. Email e something about it being
free and to email babywearing@
apipeoria.org for more information.
Newsletter
To subscribe to our free monthly newsletter, please join the
Newsletter Yahoo
Group, so that newsletter will arrive in your email inbox each month.
The latest edition of our monthly newsletter can be found
here.
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