My take on AP

I was recently made aware of a letter in the Huffington Post slating attachment parenting, dubbed 'detachment parenting' (well, LOL). While it frustrated me that such an article had been written, it also worried me too, that it had been presented all the wrong way and the damage that could be done by it. Luckily, the author of the Nurshable blog had written a reply that clarified things and straightened out the wackiness portrayed. It inspired me to write out my understanding of what it is that I'm doing and what it is that I see Attachment Parenting to be. See what you think. It's nothing to do with superglueing yourself, or your partner, to your child either - it is about being there for them, in mind and in body.

Read these blogs first perhaps:

Nicola Kraus - My Message to Dr Sears
Nurshable - My Message to Nicola Kraus

Changing bag lady

Until Thomas was born, we used a rucksack for a changing bag. We had a foldup mat, with pockets for wipes and liners, nappies and a wet bag; putting wallet, phone etc., in whatever pockets available. But the second time around, I liked the idea of a nice changing bag treat. I was also not keen to spend the extortionate prices on changing bags (I found one for £269, although most do start at £20, so mustn't exaggerate), or for it to only have a short life as a changing bag - I wanted it to have more than one practical use.

I know it sounds funny with the devotion I have to the topics of Mumhood, but I didn't particularly want to hoik a changing bag (they are rather obvious and clunky, and very plasticky) around as it defined my identity somewhat more than I'd like, having just a bag with nappies and their necessary accessories with them, along with whatever else I need for the day feels different.

Talk talk

How do you feel about the heirarchy of communication that exists these days, from a nice chat with a cuppa, to somebody you haven't seen for 10 years liking your Facebook status? Are we watering down our communication skills or broadening them? How are these styles of interaction affecting who we are, and what relationships we have, how we are with our children and the role models we are for them? I have a feeling that everything I'm about to write isn't new, but what alot of us are thinking these days...

The realisation that there is a conflict between our need to socialise and interact, and the interference, as well as contribution made, by digital technology (the internet, smartphones, social networking, computer games etc.,) is happening. Just last week, Radio 4 were at The Aspen Festival of Ideas, Colorado, USA, discussing the subject; and Will Self and Zadie Smith talked about writing and being distracted by the internet (I couldn't find the link, but press article here); Women's Hour discussed the problems of young girls feeling obligated to post suggestive photos of themselves on Facebook and other networks being raised by Esther Ransen based on calls they make to ChildLine. There's also been a pretty funny comedy taken from the Edinburgh festival, "Pearl and Dave", depicting the change from relationships beginning with a chat in person, asking out to cinema etc., and these days initiated through Facebook messaging, before meeting in person (which all became too much and online interaction returned).  Beyond the radiowaves, my husband had to initiate the banning of smartphones in the workplace a while ago, due to the distraction to those employees who own them and their office colleagues, and its impact on productivity (quality and quantity). My focus on young families is just one of many discussions going on with regards to how to get the balance right with regards to how we use (and don't use) technology.

Note: Yes I have been listening to alot of Radio 4. I made the most of the opportunity to whilst Abigail was on hols with her grandparents a few weeks ago!

He's eating already

I waited until Abbie was 6 months old, in line with the NHS/WHO guidelines and there were no complaints from either of us. However, despite planning on doing the same, Thomas has other ideas about wanting to get started on solid food. A few days ago I relented, letting him try on a piece of cucumber, which went down well. Once that was done, some orange segments. The next day the interest was the same at our mealtimes (you eat, then I want to too, e.g., lunging forwards with his body/ swiping grabs with his hands/ general complaining noises). I'm sticking with fruit and vegetables until we hit 6 months. Thomas is somewhere over 17lbs and 5 months old. He's been eating/gnawing/sucking on the following so far: cucumber, orange, tomato, celery, green pepper, banana, pear, nectarine (nothing especially planned, just the food we were having with our main meals/pudding). All either whole or (his) fist sizes.