Attachment parenting is a term coined by pediatrician William Sears to describe a nurturing style of parenting that creates an emotional closeness between parent and child. A mother does not have to be a stay-at-home parent to form a strong bond with her child. The principles of attachment parenting can be applied to any lifestyle or family situation.
Here are some ways a working mother can incorporate the principles of attachment parenting into her everyday life.
Bonding with Baby
Forming an early attachment with your baby is important. Mothers who practice attachment parenting ensure that their babies are with them as much as possible from the moment of birth. They “wear” their babies by using slings and other baby carriers. This helps the child form a strong bond with the mother.
Working mothers can form these attachments by taking sufficient time off work after the birth of their baby. Mothers are entitled to up to 12 weeks of maternity leave through the Family and Medical Leave Act. This leave is not usually paid, so it’s important to plan ahead for the financial burden of taking time off work.
Breastfeeding and the Working Mom
Attachment parenting stresses the importance of breastfeeding in the bonding process. Breastfeeding not only provides health benefits for both mother and child, it also creates a unique closeness between mom and baby that will last a lifetime.
Working moms who stay home with their newborns for the first few months of their lives are able to experience this bond, but even those who must return to work can continue giving their babies breast milk.
The Affordable Care Act, which became law in March 2010, requires employers to provide a clean, private place for mothers to express breast milk. This ensures that working moms are able to offer their babies all the benefits of breastfeeding even after they return to work. Even the U.S. surgeon general recently issued a call to action for employers to offer more support for breastfeeding working moms.
Responsive Parenting and Nurturing Discipline
Those who practice the principles of attachment parenting listen to their children. They establish trust and learn to understand the subtle messages their babies send.
When it comes to discipline, they handle tantrums and other behavior issues with a gentle, nurturing touch. They don’t react in anger, and they solve problems in a logical manner.
Working mothers play a huge role in the discipline of their children. They not only help enforce discipline at home, they must also play a role in choosing the discipline they want for their children when they are at work. Working moms should discuss nurturing discipline techniques with their child’s caregiver to ensure that attachment parenting principles are being followed at all times.
Co-Sleeping
Attachment parenting advocates believe that bonding does not end when the child goes to sleep. Sleeping close to the child, or even with the child, helps relieve nighttime stress and fears and helps everyone in the family get a better night’s rest.
Working moms sometimes feel that bedtime is the only time they really get to bond with their child. Co-sleeping is a common way for working moms to feel closer to their children.
Attachment parenting is not just for stay-at-home moms. Working moms can develop the same bonds with their kids by following the principles of attachment parenting.
Kari Lomanno - Kari Lomanno is a high school English teacher and mother of two children ages 9 and 7. She lives in Chesapeake, Virginia with her husband ...
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