Attachment Parenting

I was browsing through the daily forums on Mainemoms.com and noticed a thread on "Attachment Parenting". My first thought was ... um... Huh? What's attachment parenting? So I did a little research, envisioning this strict, cult-like parenting method, and to my surprise, I realized "Attachment Parenting" is very similar to my own parenting method!

According to my research, Attachment Parenting is based on constant bonding with your child. According to AskDrSears.com, the method is based on the 7 Baby B's: Bonding, Breast-feeding, Babywearing, Bedding, Belief, Beware, and Bedding. The article I found went into a lot more detail of course, but I was pleased to see that my own style of parenting actually resembles an organized method. The only difference I found was that I DO use pacifiers (although I did not for the longest time) and I do NOT co-sleep, (but only because my child won't, she can't settle down in our bed and chooses to sleep in her crib.) She also goes to daycare twice a week, but only because I need to put food on the table! If I could be a disciplined AP--- I would, but it simply doesn't work for our family.

Since my daughter Rosa was born, I have parented according to my own instinct and gut-feeling-- not a schedule or advice of others. The largest difference I have found with other parents is that I allow my child to set her own schedule according to her needs, not by a watch. I have found this to be the best way for her well-being and happiness. I can't tell her when she is tired or hungry and playful, she tells me and I try to accommodate. I don't allow her to run my life, but I also don't try to run hers! I hope to instill a mutual respect.

To get back to the subject, I actually believe Attachment Parenting sounds a lot like parenting back to our tribal roots. If you look back in history to native times, there were no cribs, bottles, beds, baby-sitters or watches; our babies were with us all the time, our families slept together in a hut on the floor, and our breasts served just one purpose: nourishment. I'm not saying we should all go throw on a loin cloth and go back to our "true roots", but seriously, how did we fall so far away from them?

So overall, I guess I'm not calling myself a true "Attachment Parent", simply because it's not realistic for my family's lifestyle, but I definitely wanted to give it some recognition. Your thoughts?