Where’s Your Support Group?
I read this post on Attachment parenting guilt and thought it deserved to be shared. Sometimes we have this ideal image in our minds of what we are supposed to be doing, an ideal that can lead to a whole lot of guilt and resentment when we fail to live up to our own expectations. We are just parents after all.
But one important point was mentioned in the comments. Family support. Here in the US we are isolated as we care for our kids. For stay at home moms they are usually the lone caregiver, expected to handle everything by themselves without breaking a sweat. It is an expectation that is really too much for any lone person to meet.
In many other cultures raising children is a family affair. Grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, they all live either with each other or extremely close. Families raise their children with their entire family. It is easier to give yourself so much to your child when you know that there are several close relatives a few steps away more than willing to step in and help. Instead of trying to care for your children in solitude you have a group effort.
I think this is important for parents who are struggling with Attachment parenting to know. You cannot do this alone, despite what our culture suggests. If you do not have family near by willing and able to help find friends who can join you during the day. It benefits them as much as it does you as coming together helps care for all the children, and nurtures the mothers as well.
family, extended family, Attachment parenting, parenting, mothers
April 9th, 2008 at 1:58 am
Thanks for the link. And loved finding your site via it, what a great job you’ve done here.
April 9th, 2008 at 2:10 am
Thanks for the link and it was via your link to my site that I discovered your fabulous site. Well done, what a great resource.
Sorry if I just commented twice, not sure if my last one got through or not.