Have you read Jared Diamond’s piece in Newsweek about the merits of a “hunter-gatherer” approach to parenting? It’s interesting to say the least.
And while many of the current philosophies on attachment parenting are clearly evolved from hunter-gatherer times, it is – undeniably – evolved.
I consider myself an attached parent in many ways: I strongly believe in babywearing and extended breastfeeding, baby-led weaning and oodles of love. I don’t co-sleep – well, not willingly. Unless my babies are under the weather or have a particularly scary run-in with the Boogie Man, I prefer to sleep without little knees jamming into my spine.
When Global TV asked to come to my house on Friday afternoon to chat a little more about how a hunter-gatherer parenting style could be adopted in Western society, this was the outcome:
There’s a longer version on tonight at 11 p.m., and you can also catch it on The Morning Show with Liza Fromer and the News at Noon on Global TV sometime this week.
What kind of parenting “style” would you say you have – if you have one at all? What did you think of the Newsweek article?
Tara Gauthier says
We have had a good blend of different strategies and methods. Our first child was able to sleep on his own from the beginning and would fall asleep on own and slept threw the night at 2 months. He was a very quiet, shy child when compared with our 2nd child who has always required more attention and stimulation. She is the one who we ended up co-sleeping with (she is 4 and this is now changing) and has required very different strategies in order to get her to do things.
Mommy Gearest says
Isn’t it funny how different two kids can be despite having the same parents and environment? It’s fascinating. Sounds like we share similar children – a quiet, cautious boy and a spirited little girl!
Tara Gauthier says
We have had a good blend of different strategies and methods. Our first child was able to sleep on his own from the beginning and would fall asleep on own and slept threw the night at 2 months. He was a very quiet, shy child when compared with our 2nd child who has always required more attention and stimulation. She is the one who we ended up co-sleeping with (she is 4 and this is now changing) and has required very different strategies in order to get her to do things.
Mommy Gearest says
Isn’t it funny how different two kids can be despite having the same parents and environment? It’s fascinating. Sounds like we share similar children – a quiet, cautious boy and a spirited little girl!
Erika says
Great job Mommy Gearest!! It is so hard in this day and age, with so many different parenting styles to choose from, to remain consistent when it comes to raising our own.
As a busy mother of two amazing little people myself, I would say my parenting is a borrowed bundle of styles. I nursed both babes until they were over a year, co-slept with both and my 5 year old & 2 year old (my 5 yr old still makes his way into our bed, most nights), and I did some baby-wearing and loved it. I will also confess that alas…I tend to be a yeller when it comes to discipline….but I’m working on it 🙂
I just wish there was a way to pause time and just let me catch my breath before the next stage!
Look forward to seeing you on Global tonight.
Mommy Gearest says
We all have to do the best we can and YOU are one fabulous mama. I’m with you – I’d love to pause time. It’s going far too fast.
Erika says
Great job Mommy Gearest!! It is so hard in this day and age, with so many different parenting styles to choose from, to remain consistent when it comes to raising our own.
As a busy mother of two amazing little people myself, I would say my parenting is a borrowed bundle of styles. I nursed both babes until they were over a year, co-slept with both and my 5 year old & 2 year old (my 5 yr old still makes his way into our bed, most nights), and I did some baby-wearing and loved it. I will also confess that alas…I tend to be a yeller when it comes to discipline….but I’m working on it 🙂
I just wish there was a way to pause time and just let me catch my breath before the next stage!
Look forward to seeing you on Global tonight.
Mommy Gearest says
We all have to do the best we can and YOU are one fabulous mama. I’m with you – I’d love to pause time. It’s going far too fast.
Rachel says
Awesome job! My style is more “fly by the seat of my pants.” I do what works for me at that moment, knowing that no matter what I do, that it is what is right for me at that particular time.
Life is short and kids are only small for a short period of time so enjoy every second.
Mommy Gearest says
Oh, I fly by the seat of my pants, too!! Every. Single. Day. And I fall off the attachment parenting wagon when it comes to discipline – I am, sadly, a yeller. But trying hard every day to follow AP discipline styles. Trying…
Rachel says
Awesome job! My style is more “fly by the seat of my pants.” I do what works for me at that moment, knowing that no matter what I do, that it is what is right for me at that particular time.
Life is short and kids are only small for a short period of time so enjoy every second.
Mommy Gearest says
Oh, I fly by the seat of my pants, too!! Every. Single. Day. And I fall off the attachment parenting wagon when it comes to discipline – I am, sadly, a yeller. But trying hard every day to follow AP discipline styles. Trying…