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Attachment Parenting : The Eight Principles
The long-range vision of
Attachment Parenting is to raise children who will become adults with a highly
developed capacity for empathy and connection. It eliminates violence as a means
for raising children, and ultimately helps to prevent violence in society as a
whole.
An article by Diana West
refers to Attachment Parenting as a "Frame of Mind". There are behaviors that
many parents who practice Attachment Parenting tend to use in some form or
another, such as breastfeeding, co-sleeping, and babywearing, but it really
isn't about the behaviors as much as it is about the attitude. Attachment
Parenting is about forming and nurturing strong connections between parents and
their children. Pam Leo suggests that when considering any parenting advice we
should ask ourselves, "If I follow this advice, will I be providing nurturing,
guidance, and limits in a way that maintains a secure bond with my child?"
Attachment Parenting challenges us as parents to treat our children with
kindness, respect and dignity, and to model in our interactions with them the
way we would like for them to interact with others.
Attachment Parenting isn't
"new". It is in many ways a return to the instinctual behaviors of our
ancestors. In the last 60 years, the behaviors of attachment parenting have been
studied extensively by psychology and child development researchers, and more
recently, by researchers studying the brain. This body of knowledge offers
strong support for areas that are key to the optimal development of children,
summarized in API's Eight Principles of Attachment Parenting.
The links below will lead
you to condensed versions of each of the Eight Principles. Full length versions
will be available for purchase in booklet form later in 2007. Please read the
introduction
first, as it contains important information that applies to all Eight
Principles.
- Prepare for Pregnancy, Birth, and Parenting
- Feed with Love and Respect
- Respond with Sensitivity
- Use Nurturing Touch
- Engage in Nighttime Parenting
- Provide Consistent and Loving Care
- Practive Positive Discipline
- Strive for Balance in Personal and Family Life
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Wish that children came with an instruction manual? Use the eight
principles on the left as one for your own family!
The Norman Family enjoying a day out.
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