Yes, the attachment parenting philosophy is all about forming strong bonds with your children, but what about times when you need to “detach”? Today, we are going to talk about some of the top ways in which you can set healthy boundaries with your children while also keeping in line with the core values of attachment parenting. Please give us your thoughts in the comments below or shout us out on social media! We can’t wait to hear from you.
A Little Context On Boundaries
While it may seem or feel like establishing boundaries is akin to building a wall between you and your kids, it really isn’t. Clear boundaries are a way in which you can help your child actually feel more safe and secure by communicating with them and establishing what is expected of them in any given situation. Healthy boundaries are a blueprint that you and your child can follow for success!
The Self Care Boundary Balance
Yes, attachment parenting is all about getting close with your child both physically and emotionally, it is equally important that you are able to take some “me time” and practice self care outside of your parenting duties. If you don’t do this, then you risk getting burnt out which isn’t good for anybody. Try to build a routine with regular breaks in which you can do things like watch a grown-up style show, or take a relaxing bath or shower, or sneak off to a movie on your own. Whatever you need to do, you should build it into your weekly and monthly routine. Having childcare that you can rely on and that is routine for your children is critical. In order for this to happen, your children need to have exposure to other caregivers on a consistent basis.
Defining Social Boundaries
Social interactions are a cornerstone for their development. In these situations, it’s important for the parent to set boundaries that meet both the parent’s and the child’s needs. Teach your children about respecting the personal space and physical boundaries of others. Talk to them about consent and being polite and respectful of the needs of other kids as well as their own.
Boundaries And Independence
All parents want to foster independence. As fun as it is to take care of a baby, we don’t necessarily want to be feeding and changing our little ones until they’re old enough to vote. Sometime between birth and then, we have to set clear boundaries that also establish and fulminate their own independence. Allowing your child to play alone for short periods of time, or helping them learn how to self-soothe are great ways to start. A good mix of independence early on helps them to build self confidence and autonomy.
Before You Go
We hope you enjoyed learning about the ins and outs of boundaries set while practicing attachment parenting. If you would like to know more about this, our sleep learning, consulting or training programs or any of our excellent newborn care services, we are happy to help. Just contact us and we can go over your options and help you find the best path for your little one.
We hope these tips have helped you along your journey. If you have any questions about helping your baby to sleep better, or about your baby in general, please reach out to us HERE. We are experts in all things baby and sleep and would love to help!
About The Author: 💤Katie Bishop | The Early Weeks 💤
✅ Certified Master Pediatric Sleep Consultant
✅ Board Certified Holistic Healthcare Practitioner
✅ Advanced Newborn Care Specialist
