clarity

Kim asked me what attracted me to attachment parenting to begin with. I wish i had a well-thought out answer. Something that began with: well during my first pregnancy i spent many hours researching styles of parenting... . But, it doesn't. Attachment parenting was recommended by the women on a parenting list i belonged to, a list full of some of the most intelligent and articulate women i have ever met. The methodology just felt right to me. Sleep with the baby? Sounds good. Wear the baby in a sling or carrier? Even better. I loved my baby bjorn.

When Tristan was born it all just came together because, to be honest, i was head over heels in love. I couldn't bear to be apart from her, or to even let anybody else hold her (much to my mother-in-laws dismay and ongoing disapproval).

Actually, at the time i really didn't get much support as it all just seemed a little weird to my parents, my husbands parents and pretty much every lay person who felt qualified to comment on my life. If i was to be honest it was great when i had only one and worked well with two. But! But, four kids? I just need some sleep. I need to step up to the plate and learn to be a little tougher. Parker is two years old now. He's not a baby anymore and can definitely sleep a little longer. Tonight i put him to bed at 7:30, it's 9:30 now and he has woken 3! times already. This is normal, for me, but not for most parents.

Attachment parenting is not this. You've got to suffer from pretty high self-esteem to want to start a new ritual based on something so icky.