The golden rule of parenting

“The golden rule of parenting is that we treat our children as we would want others to treat us. Authentic and respectful." Barbara Nicholson & Lysa Parker, authors, founders of Attachment Parenting International

I became a parent. ok Nice.

What does a parent mean? What's a parent to do?

Many times I don't know what to do with you. Should I feed you by the clock or not, should I let you cry a little before you sleep, should you sleep alone or with us, should I have you in a carrier...

Do others know?

Some say I shouldn't hold you all day. Others that I should put limits on your milk. Others that you do whatever you want with me. But I don't feel that way, and at the same time, all these "shoulds" are disconcerting me.

I'm confused… Why not follow what I feel deep inside?

I don't want to hear what everyone tells me according to their own experiences.

I will treat you as I would like to be treated if I were a baby now.

I will now imagine that I too am a little baby.

Would I like to cry in my crib and not be hugged by my mom? No! That's why I'm giving you a hug now.

Would I get stomach aches at night and not want dad to take me for walks to calm me down? No! That's why I'm giving you a hug now.

Since I feel like I don't know many things yet, I decide to follow at least one principle: treat you with respect above all else.

As I would want others to treat me if I were a baby too.

excerpt from the book "Mom, Dad, Can You Hear Me?" by Eleni Vassiliadis (Positive Parents)

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