I recently read a parenting magazine focused mainly on natural/attachment/positive parenting. There was one article in particular that was disturbing. The article was focused on what a new parent really needs for a newborn child. I do agree that all a baby really needs is their mother, providing the mother can breastfeed, some diapers and some sleepers. What was disturbing was that the article went on to say that to want anything more than some diapers and some sleepers was detachment parenting. It said that both of their children (ages 4 & 6) sleep with their mother and the father sleeps in another bed. The author exclusively breastfed and her children have never been cared for by any one else. Honestly, I think the author may be a bit of a control freak, either that or super woman.
I know that my husband and I may not be the best parents in the world but we certainly are not “detached” parents like this article and magazine implied. We try our very best for our children. And like most parents we try different techniques until we find something that works in our circumstances and family. I’ve seen the results of “detached” parents in another child the same age as my son. I know that there are huge emotional and physical developmental differences between the two children. And I’ve seen children from “attached” parents and my children seem to compare equally in emotional and physical development.
I really think that the author should seriously take a look at detachment parenting and get a more realistic perspective of attachment parenting. Some people need to put their babies in a bassinette or crib and when I can leave my child with a loving responsible adult, I take the opportunity. Sometimes my children need a break from me just as much as I may need a break from them. This definitely doesn’t make me a failure, in fact I think it makes me a better, more attached parent.
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