I Think I am Doing Attached Parenting? But I need a break away from the baby sometimes! - Page 2

[bdoody11]

Originally Posted by 1blueheron 

Originally Posted by P.J. 

 I know many AP proponents say you should ideally be with your baby all the time until about age three. 

Yeah, that's crazy talk, pure and simple.  Even in some idealized state of nature, you'd have grandmothers and aunties etc to take the baby off your hands once in a while.  We cut out friday night takeout so that we could hire a babysitter one morning a week, just for a few hours.  Major sanity saver, since we have no family nearby.

I worked 40 hours + a week with my first and I considered myself a very AP parent. I don't think AP should be a contest of who can spend the most time with their child.

Neither of our kids loved the crib. What we do to have some intimate time is to get DD#2 to bed (in the crib or our bed) and then sneak downstairs to our guest room or living room. Yes, I would rather be in our bed, but I know this is short lived. I remember going through this the first time. Eventually, my DD#1 was comfortable being in the crib alone for the first part of the night and we reclaimed our room. I know with your first everything stage seems like it will last forever. It may be little comfort now, but it really does pass quickly.

Can you hire a babysitter or mother's helper? I don't know many WAHM or student-mamas who can get everything they need to get done without some extra help. 

[whozeyermamma]

I think if you go with your gut and do what feels right you'll be fine. You wouldn't want "mainstream" parents pressuring you to CIO, don't feel pressured from the AP perspective to do the things that don't work for you. 

It's hard, but you're doing it! :)