Parents have long used different styles of parenting.
Attachment parenting is one style that has been popular for a while and that many parents swear by. Others, like Erica Jong in a new essay in the Wall Street Journal about the Madness of Modern Motherhood, describe attachment parenting and green parenting as 'a prison for modern women' that 'has encouraged female victimization.'
Of course, plenty of experts disagree with this extreme view. Lisa Belkin, in her Motherlode blog, described Erica Jong's essay as 'a mishmash of old accusations against overinvolved parenting.'
What do you think? Which parenting style works best for you and your kids?
Related:
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook
Parenting Anxiety
Parenting Styles and Fads
Parenting Style Quiz
We consider ourselves attachment parents, but there is only one piece of advice in the Dr. Sears books that we follow to a tee — the part where he says “Use these as starter tips to work out your own parenting style – one that fits the individual needs of your child and your family. Attachment parenting helps you develop your own personal parenting style.”
We pick and choose from his advice, and I refuse to feel guilty about any of my parenting decisions. I certainly disagree with Jong’s characterization of us as wealthy or elite (we’re certainly not wealthy enough to hire a “nanny and a houseman,” as Jong did when her daughter was young). We also realize full-well that our style of parenting doesn’t work for everyone. Happy parents make happy babies… anyone who’s running themselves ragged and/or feeling intense guilt over their decisions is not going to be a happy parent. Gut instinct (and heaps of research backing up my feelings) led me to AP — if your gut takes you in a different direction, go with it!
Attached Parenting has virtually no scientific research backing its techniques. sorry.
It can be tricky. I think you just have to weigh what’s best. I think its best to look to all kinds of advise for parenting. http://www.decideondaycare.com has some good advise on daycare related issues for parents but it is always good to weigh what is best for you and your child.