I Miss You, And That’s OK (Toddlers And Separation)

In a child’s perfect world, the people he’s closest to would be available 24/7. But separations are a necessary and inevitable part of life. Whether it’s for work, exercise, chores, errands, time to reconnect with a spouse or friends, or just to save one’s sanity, parents (and other beloved caregivers) need to leave. The person who remains with the infant, toddler or preschooler is then left to handle what...

I Just Let Her Cry (Guest Post by Christine Rupp)

There is nothing I love hearing about more than a personal revelation – one of those magic moments of clarity we have at least once or twice, maybe even several times in our lives. And I’m especially intrigued when these moments involve a subject I’m passionate about — respectful, “whole person” infant care, a vision of infants as able participants in life, creative beings and competent...

Baby Sleep Struggles (Guest Post By Eileen Henry)

A bonus of getting older (there aren’t many) is a more acute awareness of where our talents lie, and also our limitations. For instance, there are many parenting issues about which I feel confident  and capable of offering advice – however, sleep isn’t one of them. Although I can certainly help with the basics, I find sleep problems a bit too thorny and complicated.  (Granted, I knew far more before my third...

Problems With Attachment Parenting – Note From A Mum

I recently received this email from a mother in Australia, and she kindly allowed me to share it with you. Hi Janet, I am just wondering if you have any advice on how I can get my 8 month old baby to play independently.  I have been following the Dr. Sears Attachment Parenting philosophy pretty rigidly since James was born and to my dismay, he is now super clingy, whiny, wakes up every 2 hours at night to nurse,...

Babies Breaking Habits, Toddlers Dealing With Change – 3 Steps To Ease The Way

A family I know is moving, and their 2 ½ year-old son Jackson has seemed troubled.  Jackson’s parents have had to reassure him several times that moving houses wouldn’t mean leaving his bed and his toys behind. At a recent get together, Jackson’s mom was talking about some of the logistical hassles she was dealing with when she stopped, turned toward him and emphasized, “But we’re glad to be moving to...

What Your Baby Can’t Tell You

Years ago, I had a major awakening. It hit me that my three month old baby was an actual person. I had brought her to a RIE parenting class and was asked to place her on her back on a blanket next to me, where she lay for two hours — peaceful, alert, engaged, and self-contained.  She didn’t make a sound, but I felt the power of her presence, a self-assuredness that at age 17 still knocks my socks off.  If...

Good Grief

Loren needed to leave the room. She walked with trepidation toward the door exiting the RIE parenting class. But then she paused and she asked me, “Should I just go?” Since she had clearly told her ten-month-old Trevor what she was doing, I encouraged her, “Yes!” Seeing his mother depart, Trevor began to cry. I approached him and spoke softly. “Your mom went out. She’s coming back. You didn’t want her...