1. rcButterfly Said,

   I’ve never even heard of any of these ‘methods’ you have mentioned. The last thing I need is someone telling me how to raise my child. I’m all for the I’ll do the best I can method. It’s worked for me so far and my parents and their parents and so on. To me weak minded people follow these trends and don’t listen to their own instincts…..sad

2. Cara Bumm Said,

   I absolutely agree! I work at a daycare and another thing I have to say is… let you kids be kids. To many parents are worried about there kids being to messy or getting little bumps and bruises… they’re kids! Just let them be kids.

3. oleowl_2000 Said,

   As in any other field- It is easy to say “be the best you can be”. The trick is HOW to accomplish that- and this is where the methods come in.

   Oh. But you aren’t really asking, right? You’re just making a statement…

4. Sonya Said,

   I follow my gut instinct with parenting. I have read about different styles so that I can get ideas that may help in my life. I incorporate tips and advice from several different sources, but ultimately, I’m following my gut.

   However, I do find I identify more with some styles over others. For example, I agree with most of the principles of attachment style parenting…as that was what I was already doing on my own but without knowledge of the “style” existing. I am against Ferberizing as I don’t believe a child should cry it out.

5. Raja Said,

   I think that, in America especially, we have always had someone telling us what is the best way to go about doing many different things that we take someone elses advice on parenting more readily than someone from a different culture or country. The medical establishment hit hard and fast in this country and sought total domination of the field which meant we lost more of the natural practioners that had flourished beforehand. This same medical establishment then sought all of the different ways in which we could take their advice, especially if it got them more money.

   The one area we’ve always thought we needed help in is parenting. It’s why columns like “Dear Abby” and books on parenting have flourished since the early 1900’s. We ALL feel like we’re not doing enough or we ALL feel overwhelmed with the job of it from time to time. Add a medical establishment that tells us, REPEATEDLY, that we cannot do anything ourselves, that we cannot let nature take its course and remain healthy, and you get a society much more willing to take advice that rational human beings would reject.

   Contrary to what you believe, there have been parenting books and advice since the dawn of humanity on the planet.

   ~Raja

6. sensational79 Said,

   because being who u really are doesnt work so therefore, must try a different strategy

7. momof4 Said,

   it used to be that there weren’t any parenting books but you lived near your mom and your aunts and you got all kinds of parenting advice from them. now many of us live in different states from our parents, with no help or advice, and are completely on our own about whether that color poop is an issue or what we can do about the kid who won’t eat vegetables or wakes up crying 20 times a night or whatever. i agree we should take advice, whether from “experts” or one another, with a grain (or more) of salt. but don’t most of us do that? we take the advice that makes sense to us personally and forget about the rest. i’ve found some good ideas in parenting books, and found other ideas ridiculous or just plain wrong. i still pick them up from time to time … i’m sure others have ideas i haven’t thought of, and it’s worth it to me to get some advice. i’ll choose whether to take it or not.

8. Ashley W Said,

   I read about different methods of parenting all of the time. I think everyone…including parents can use some guidance from time to time and can strive to be better in all aspects of their life. What I kind of do is incorporate portions of the different parenting styles that really appeal to me…and all don’t. But most of all I do go with my instincts. I think mothers really do have an deep rooted instinct when it comes to parenting. But above all, I have accepted that no matter how hard I may try I will not always be the best parent. That said I think it is great to be able to use any education out there to better my parenting skills so that my child may have the healthiest childhood.

9. XXRAVENXX Said,

   I completely agree. Every child is different, and only the parent knows best. You cant go by the books or rules. Its just like adults, they are all different. Just because one thing works for one child, the opposite may work for the next. Its up to the parent to decide. And people are so quick to judge because you dont go by the books. My son had severe Acid Reflux. I had to start him on cereal at 2 1/2 months. Well. I had so many Moms tell me that it was wrong an I shouldnt do it, because its not recommended. Well the pediatricia recommended it and that was the only way to keep his food down, then he finally started gaining weight. So how can another parent or a book tell you whats right or wrong? Only that parent knows whats best and works. And you should always trust your Mothers Instincts, not a book. I never go by what people tell me to do or I dont read books on how to parent. I take care and raise my son how I feel is best. I will take advice, but I will do what I think is right.

10. Reyna Said,

    I agree with you, let’s not put a label on it!!

11. grreengirrl Said,

    I found that what I do just naturally fell into the Attachment Parenting label. I never knew that was what I practiced until a few years ago. I breastfed, co-slept, didn’t spank, communicated, used cloth diapers, etc. because those things felt natural and instinctual to me. When I did find some online AP communities, it wasn’t to cultivate my form of parenting, it was to get to know others who believed in the same things as me, because, frankly where I live I’m considered “weird”. It was through these online AP communities that I found others in my town who believed in the same forms of parenting as I did.

12. tinkymamma Said,

    Attachment parenting is more like following instincts…no schedules, etc. Lots of people think breastfeeding, cosleeping, babywearing is ONLY what makes up AP parenting…but I always say those are just the perks. lol. AP really means being in-tune with your child(ren)…listening to them and guiding them instead of setting them on regimented schedules that are not conducive to what is truly good for THEM. Gentle discipline is a part of this, too.

    I am an “AP parent” and ALL of my children have slept in their own beds. Not to say I didn’t TRY to get them to sleep with me. I just have very independent kids. I do what works for them.

13. http://sultan.org/ Said,

    Praise be to Allaah.

    The importance of honouring one’s parents is:

    Firstly: it is obedience to Allaah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

    “And We have enjoined on man to be good and dutiful to his parents” [al-‘Ankaboot 29:8]

    “And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: ‘My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was young’” [al-Israa’ 17:23]

    In al-Saheehayn it is reported that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was asked which deed is the best? He said, ‘Faith in Allaah and His Messenger, then honouring one’s parents…’” And there are many other Aayat and Mutawaatir Ahaadeeth which say similar things.

    Secondly: obeying and honouring one’s parents is a means of entering Paradise, as it was reported in Saheeh Muslim from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “He is doomed, he is doomed, he is doomed.” It was said, “Who, O Messenger of Allaah?” He said, “The person whose parents, one or both of them, reach old age during his lifetime but he does not enter Paradise.” (Saheeh Muslim, 4627).

    Thirdly: Respecting and honouring them brings friendship and love.

    Fourthly: respecting and obeying them is a way of showing gratitude to them because they are the ones who brought you into this world. You should also show gratitude towards them for bringing you up and taking care of you when you were young. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

    “And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents” [Luqmaan 31:14]

    Fifthly: if a person honours his parents this may be the cause of his own children honouring him. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

    “Is there any reward for good other than good?’ [al-Rahmaan 55:60]

    And Allaah knows best.

    Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

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