a new series: 2 years of attachment parenting.

Last year when Kale turned one, I did a series on this blog called "one year of attachment parenting." What started out as a way to share what we'd learned about AP and how we'd implemented some of its philosophies into practice, evolved into something much more personal - it was a rare opportunity to reflect on our growth as parents.

Despite the fact that some of the API principles of attachment parenting and Dr. Sears' attachment tools focus on birth and infancy, Kris and I still consider ourselves attachment parents and continue to use AP tools and principles with Kale, who is now 2.

I was looking forward to starting this series after Kale's birthday, but have purposely put it off until now. This is because a few days before Kale's birthday, TIME put out an issue featuring a mother breastfeeding her 3 year old son on the cover with the title "Are You Mom Enough?" The article that accompanied the cover focused on the rise of attachment parenting and featured an in-depth profile of Dr. Sears. I'm sure everyone reading is familiar with the different reactions that were ignited by this cover story. You can find good round ups of responses HERE and HERE. These are a couple of my favourites:

• No. I'm Not Mom Enough.
• Are You Mom Enough? My Reaction to the TIME Cover (PhD in Parenting)
• Are YOU "Mom Enough"? 

Here's the thing - I'm proud of the way I parent. I'm proud that my 2 year old son and I have a strong breastfeeding relationship. I'm confident that the choices we've made have been the right choices for Kale and for our family. The cover of a magazine and the negative reactions it stirred are not going to change that. 

However, just like any mom, I'm sensitive when people attack my parenting choices. And when those attacks are misinformed and judgemental, I get defensive. I'm not just defensive about the choices I make, but the choices that any mother makes - because I honestly believe that the majority of parents do their absolute best to make the right choices for their children and their families. 

So I was worried that if I wrote this series when I was feeling defensive, that it would come off as just that - a defense of attachment parenting. And in doing so, I was concerned that this "defense" could be interpreted as an argument that attachment parenting, and the choices I've made as a parent, are somehow better than other parenting styles or philosophies or choices. Which, basically, is the last thing in the world I would want to happen. 

It has been a month since that issue of TIME came out and the dust has begun to settle. This doesn't mean that "mommy wars" have diminished, or that negative reactions to extended breastfeeding and/or attachment parenting have waned. It does mean that - with some time to take some deep breathes - I feel better about writing this series not in defense to my parenting style, but in celebration and reflection. 

I hope you enjoy this series, which I'll be doing over the next few weeks. I hope you share your parenting choices and philosophies with me in your comments. I hope it inspires reflection and celebration in your own lives. And most of all, I hope we can all take a moment to pat ourselves on the back. To say 'you're doing great' to ourselves, to our partners, to those on the journey with us, and, of course, to each other.

Thanks for all your votes and support!