Infant Play – Great Minds At Work (Captured On Video!)

I’ve observed hundreds of babies over seventeen years and am comfortable that I have some insight into their worlds, but I still feel a little awkward when I describe ‘infant play’ to others.  I sense the person thinking, “Oh yeah, right, infants playing — bring out the lacrosse sticks!” But, actually, from the time a baby is weeks, even days old, she can begin the joyful habit of inner-directed...

RIE Parenting Orientation

Magda Gerber’s parenting philosophy (the inspiration for this blog) is introduced in a monthy orientation evening at the RIE Center in Los Angeles.  This event is especially for parents considering enrollment in RIE Parent/Infant Guidance Classes, but is open to anyone who would like to learn more about RIE.    The next RIE Orientation will be held Thursday, March 4, 2010, 7:00 to 8:30 PM at the RIE...

Messing With Mother Nature – A Dad’s Personal Post

Meet Mike.  He’s a dashing husband, father, and blog editor extraordinaire. I’ve put him through the wringer since beginning this website, and he’s made many heroic attempts to protect my sanity. His latest is the offer to share his thoughts while I’m working on mine. Mike is responding to a question from Andrea in my Comments section regarding the post Don’t Stand Me Up!, where I encourage allowing...

Attachment Parenting Debate (For Crying Out Loud!)

The other day I made a comment that led to an animated online discussion with a blogger (Annie) who writes about Attachment Parenting. Attachment Parenting is a movement founded by William Sears, M.D.  He recommends maintaining close physical contact with a baby 24 hours a day for the sake of bonding.  Parents are encouraged to keep the baby next to them at all times in their arms or in a baby carrier, to...

Men Will Be Boys (A Valentine)

When women get together to talk, the subject inevitably turns to men. Before long the complaints begin, and the recurring theme is “men are such boys!” Do men truly stay boys while women mature?  Are men, with their tougher exteriors, protecting an ultra-tender, childlike vulnerability?  Or, maybe the little boy is what women want to see — he is easier, less complicated to connect with and embrace. We...

A Hovering Parent’s Successful Landing

Hovering parents are taking a beating in the media these days. In an avalanche of recent articles, they are shamed, scolded and mocked for hyper-involvement in their children’s lives. ‘Experts’ are coming out of the woodwork with smug superiority, issuing dire warnings about the anxious, insecure children hovering parents are raising. We’re getting an earful about the problems, but zilch in the way of...

Our Children Choose Us

Many of us have the sense that the children in our care chose us. We feel it especially when a child’s needs tap into our weaknesses, we are forced to adjust, and that adjustment makes us change for the better.  It is as if their souls zeroed in on us and decided, “That woman and that man, those future brothers and sisters need lessons I can provide. I’ll help them grow.  I’ll be their teacher.”   I...