Attachment parenting is a life long parenting philosophy. A respectful parenting style can continue beyond the baby and toddler years of babycarrying, breastfeeding and co-sleeping. As the physical contact between parent and child lessons, the main connection is now in building communication, empathy and problem solving skills between parent and child, as well as family traditions and having fun together.
Understand and seek out information on development. Know the social, emotional, cognitive and physical limitations of your child at each stage of childhood. Learn about how the brain develops and effective, respectful parenting for each stage of parenting preschoolers, school-agers, teens, and emerging adults.
Avoid power struggles at meal times. Understand the feeding relationship and the different roles of parents and children.
Avoid ignoring your child even when you are feeling angry. Use time-in. She needs hugs, encouragement, and comfort in times of distress just as she did as a baby. Get yourself calm, then get your child calm, then solve the problem. Learn empathic listening skills which are more required the older your child gets.
Keep up loving non-sexual touch such as hugs, cuddles, holding hands, shoulder pats, and sitting together.
Continue family bedrooms even in the school-age years if it works for all family members. Problem-solve bedtime issues. Be open to unique arrangements.
Aim for consistency at least 70% of the time. We are human and not 100% perfect!
Use distraction, modelling, childproofing, I-statements, active listening, and problem-solving. Have more family meetings as your child gets older. Avoid all "punishment-lite" methods such as time-out, grounding, with-drawel of privileges, and taking things away. Resolve conflicts respectfully as you would with any other person.
Find time to meet your varied needs at the same time as your childs. You are important too!
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In Alphabetical Order
Judy Arnall
Joan Durrant
Alfie Kohn
Mary Sheedy Kurcinka
Laura Markham
Jane Nelson
Gordon Neufeld
William and Martha Sears
In Alphabetical Order
Positive Discipline (Nelson)
Gordon Training
Non-Violent Communication
P.E.T. Parent Effectiveness Training
Positive Discipline in Everyday Parenting
Terrific Toddlers