Heck, I still really couldn't define it if asked-LOL!!! I didn't even know the way we parented Kira in her early days had a name for it!! What I do know is this...I do not call ourselves "AP'ing" parents. I don't even like the notion of being put in a group ..I'd rather be called "child led" parenting. I admit right now, we don't do all of the "AP" things. Does that make us AP outcasts?? Perhaps. I know many babies that scream when in a sling, but are sooo happy in a swing or stroller (and yes, the mamas tried the slings since birth). Then there's Kira...she CANNOT sleep with us!! We have tried from the early days and she sleeps so much better in her own "bed".
I know of many AP people that criticize and say "well, we do ALL the AP stuff (family bed, slings, etc ,etc)" or "you are not AP because you don't do (insert whatever)". That's fine. Don and I parent our children according to their needs and that is what is important :-)
That said, I DO like the AP'ing philosophy and while not all things apply for us, I think that parents would benefit from reading about it and becoming informed. There are many difficult choices to make as parents but if you are as informed as you can be, you needn' t worry that you are making a bad judgement :-) That goes for EVERYTHING (schooling, vaccinations, etc). For the sake of your children, don't decide important issues because society deems that is the way it should be.
I will caution against you blindly following so-called "expert" advice such as pediatricians, nurses, whatever. Just because they have the title MD, etc after their name does NOT make them experts on YOUR baby/child! Babies grow FAST, and the inconvenience of nightly wakings, fussing, crying and what-not WILL pass. Don't be in such a rush to make them grow up too quickly. And don' t let the "experts" make you do it either. Kids have their whole lives to be independent. They dont' need to be made to learn this as babies/toddlers. Why do they have to necessarily "sleep through the night" and when they don't ..why do some peds think this is abnormal? Yes, it is hard, yes, it is tiring...but as I mentioned, it will pass and then you can have your nights back again. Same with nursing...I have yet to meet a college student that is still nursing;-) Trust me..they all give it up at some point. Some earlier, some later. Once again, let your child lead you..trust in God completely. |
