What is attachment parenting ??

Question

are my kids too old to parent this way at 5 and 7 ??

Answer 1

too late is when your child is adult or teenager.  

Answer 2

Ideally, you would begin building attachment (a bond of trust, respect & understanding) from birth.  But, it's never too late.  The approach may be different when you begin this with an older child, but it is certainly possible.  

There are all sorts of parenting practices that help build good, healthy attachment in a parent/child relationship.  Some of them are baby wearing, nursing, child-led weaning, co-sleeping & responding to a child's communication/crying.  

In all of these, the parent lets the child feel safe & secure in their parental authority as the child explores & grows.  If the parent is letting the child do things that are not safe or that leave the parent uncomfortable or feeling disrespected, then the child is in charge, which is not a safe/secure feeling for a child & which does not lead to a healthy trust relationship.  

Also, in healthy attachment, the child is encouraged to work towards independence, knowing that their parents 'have their back' & believe in their abilities.  A relationship where the child is encouraged to be dependent & clingy does not show healthy attachment.  

Attachment parenting isn't about the methods used.  It's about working towards a goal of healthy, respectful attachment.  

Starting with an older child may be more of a challenge.  Instead of having a blank slate relationship to build from, you have an already established relationship filled with previous experiences & lessons learned.  

Answer 3

The practice starts at birth.

According to the creator of it it includes bonding, breastfeeding, babywearing, bedsharing and boundary building.

It's basically being glued to your child

Answer 4

Yes...the idea is to have then literally "attached" to you from birth...so they are meant to grow up very secure...they sleep with you and you wear them in a sling...barely putting them down...they're kind of formed already at 5 and 7.

Answer 5

Attachment parenting, is putting your babies every need before your own, using a nurturing hand everytime you see your child.. Not leaving them alone, to cry it out. Letting them sleep in your bed if need be. A lot of times breastfeeding is apart of attachment parenting.. It is basically a life style.

I don't think 7 years old is too old to start this parenting style, but of course, many things will not apply to children this age (breastfeeding, cosleeping, crying it out, etc.)

Attachment parenting is about respecting your child/children the same way you would respect another adult. All the while, disciplining them. You can apply this to your older children!

Google it, I'm sure there are many support groups out there. Good luck!