Introductory and Parenting in A New Era

Id like to start a small introduction as our dialog journey begins my name is Sierra and I have been blessed with the privilege to be the mother of a freshly turned 2 year old boy! I was more than honored when Mel asked me to be a part of this and will do my best to provide interesting fun and factual information!

So following suit of this issue I would like to start with some information about a newer or maybe made more relevant than before parenting style “Attachment Parenting”. The definition of attachment parent is,

Attachment parenting, a phrase coined by pediatrician William Sears,is a parenting philosophy based on the principles of attachment theory in developmental psychology. According to attachment theory, the child forms a strong emotional bond with caregivers during childhood with lifelong consequences.Sensitive and emotionally available parenting helps the child to form a secure attachment style which fosters a child’s socio-emotional development and well-being. Less sensitive and emotionally unavailable parenting or neglect of the child’s needs may result in insecure forms of attachment style, which is a risk factor for many mental health problems (e.g. depression, anxiety and eating disorders).In extreme and rare conditions, the child may not form an attachment at all and may suffer from reactive attachment disorder.Principles of attachment parenting aim to increase development of a child’s secure attachment and decrease insecure attachment.

When parents are taught to increase their sensitivity to an infant’s needs and signals, this increases the development of the child’s attachment security.Sears’ specific techniques of attachment parenting remain under study.

Now depending on who you ask this style of parenting could be considered an absolute help or an absolute hindrance. I’m sure a lot of you would concur that when we were younger we were taught to be tough and to not show emotion and to just dust things off I’m sure a lot of us received whoopins and might also be familiar with having to go out and pick a switch lol maybe not all will be familiar with that but I do think that most of us would be. So with this parenting style its more about giving the child the options to make their own decisions and also about being more sensitive to their needs, co sleeping, breast feeding and baby wearing are also a big part of this parenting style in the earlier stages of life.

  I do believe that this world needs more compassionate loving people but I would also dare to say we need more respect and boundaries that a lot of today’s younger youth lack! I am all for love and understanding and strong bonds I just think that there needs to be a fine line between the discipline and love. What are your thoughts? Attachment parenting helpful or harmful?