I was given this book (by Radhima Baldwin) before my son was born. I tried reading it when he was a newborn and was stopped cold by her thoughts on WOHMs. I was devastated to have to finish out a school year, but I had to go back from April-June (another thread altogether). I figured it was a worthy book and that I'd pick it up again later. I've kept it on my "books to read while ds is napping attached to the breast" shelf and I've picked it up from time to time, especially as my son in now attending a Waldorf preschool and I'd like to get my own Waldorf certification (I'm a teacher). Now, as I read it, it seems as though some of the ideas she is suggesting are at odds with (at least our family's take on) AP.
For example, she talks about the toddler needing to move away from the energy of the mother least her/his own development be hampered. Yet in the way I understand her, it seems I'd have to PUSH ds away in order to not hamper his development. Of course, we're not doing this, and I wonder if I'm misinterpreting or if this particular philosophy is in some ways at odd with our personal AP style.
She seems to state at one point that a 37 year old professional at home with a child all day is somehow not meeting that child's developmental needs because this is very different from life on the farm 40-50 years ago.
She also seems to feel that only children and first children are affected neagtively by virtue of the "extra" adult attention they receive.
This OP is a bit lamer than I'd intended, but I've been meaning to post this for days to see what others here think and am only now getting a chance. Of course, I sat down here without the book in front of me and I can't sneak in to get it, lest I wake ds, who would much prefer be napping attached to my breast
. So, my examples are weak! I thought I'd throw this out there anyway to see if anyone has any thoughts.
Thanks!
For example, she talks about the toddler needing to move away from the energy of the mother least her/his own development be hampered. Yet in the way I understand her, it seems I'd have to PUSH ds away in order to not hamper his development. Of course, we're not doing this, and I wonder if I'm misinterpreting or if this particular philosophy is in some ways at odd with our personal AP style.
She seems to state at one point that a 37 year old professional at home with a child all day is somehow not meeting that child's developmental needs because this is very different from life on the farm 40-50 years ago.
She also seems to feel that only children and first children are affected neagtively by virtue of the "extra" adult attention they receive.
This OP is a bit lamer than I'd intended, but I've been meaning to post this for days to see what others here think and am only now getting a chance. Of course, I sat down here without the book in front of me and I can't sneak in to get it, lest I wake ds, who would much prefer be napping attached to my breast
. So, my examples are weak! I thought I'd throw this out there anyway to see if anyone has any thoughts.Thanks!
I've read through it and, like most parenting books, take what I need/like from it and remember that it's just one person's opion. I, too, was a bit put off by the extended breastfeeding comments and such. On the other hand I love the ideas on making your own blocks and such.
