tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287005166012220959.post6060620003929136249..comments2023-10-17T11:02:33.352-04:00Comments on The child: Confessions of a breastfeeder - the final chapterUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287005166012220959.post-67736204641632432412012-04-23T18:13:35.331-04:002012-04-23T18:13:35.331-04:00Oh, you are such a fantastic writer!! We struggle ...Oh, you are such a fantastic writer!! We struggle too. I lost it Sunday and started playing the blame game. I'm sure it was hormones...but, Devin and I had it out pretty good. The truth is, parenting is the hardest thing I will ever do. Balancing establishing roots to ground them and giving them wings to fly when needed, is so tough!! Hugs and kisses!Gerrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15355005063119095095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287005166012220959.post-28979358504359576972012-04-19T21:17:20.648-04:002012-04-19T21:17:20.648-04:00Since I exclusively breastfed my kids, I often hea...Since I exclusively breastfed my kids, I often heard the spoken and whispered comments about the kids being "too" attached to me (literally and figuratively). Honestly, I went with my mother's gut and gave them all that I could when they were little. Guess what? They are independent at times and needing me at others. And that's okay with me...they are not adults yet and can have their moments to look for me. As teens, they move away quickly, but it's nice to see how they still look to me once in a while when they need advice or a shoulder. You're doing an awesome job Kim. You and Shaune have a valid, genuine bond of love with your boys. Being attached to their parents is really a good thing.septembermomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01570525910483384484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287005166012220959.post-27871018522883113562012-04-19T13:27:29.198-04:002012-04-19T13:27:29.198-04:00I don't know if you set out to attachment pare...I don't know if you set out to attachment parent, but that's exactly what you are doing. All the time you are investing in your boys at their tender ages is going to pay off when they are older because they will have that inner security. I can't quote any scientific studies, but it has been shown that adults who were deprived of attention as babies, toddlers tend to be more nervous, less independent. This doesn't mean we should coddle or spoil our children, but it does me were should follow our own individual compass as to how to nurture them. And sometimes only mama will do!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08700057904506855793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287005166012220959.post-15387265078156390872012-04-19T12:09:23.907-04:002012-04-19T12:09:23.907-04:00Kim, Amy is 16 and I still worry about independenc...Kim, Amy is 16 and I still worry about independence. Speaking for myself, I don't think mothers ever stop worrying about it.<br /><br />Follow your heart and your boys will be fine. I truly believe that. I know Shaune said what he said in a emotional moment, but the thing is your boys do need you a lot now-that is just how it is. As exhausting as it may be cherish it, because it won't always be that way. <br /><br />And to your credit, just the fact that you worry shows that you are a good mom-not all parents are as concerned. Sad, but true.<br /><br />Hugs, sweet friend:)Valerie Boersmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08372768206512562126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287005166012220959.post-12133534672341323142012-04-18T22:20:37.568-04:002012-04-18T22:20:37.568-04:00Parenting is so exhausting and I had no idea. Non...Parenting is so exhausting and I had no idea. None. I often wonder if I'm doing something wrong b/c Donut is beyond clingy to me. But I tell myself it's only for a little while and then she won't need me anymore. But until then, yes, it's tiring.Rach (DonutsMama)https://www.blogger.com/profile/14029074046922966097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287005166012220959.post-1181252691058914402012-04-18T15:51:14.233-04:002012-04-18T15:51:14.233-04:00You don't have to rush them into independence....You don't have to rush them into independence...it comes soon enough. I was much like you when the kids were little, they always wanted me. But they grow out of it, and now they want their Papa just as much as they want me, and some days I miss the neediness, and other days it's nice that they don't *always* need me. <br />I think it's wonderful you continue to breastfeed. You won't ever regret it! <br />P.S. Husbands are wonderful, but they're men...and they don't always "get it"...you know? <br />xoxoJenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17940118384108153753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287005166012220959.post-63467121185900643802012-04-18T06:58:50.333-04:002012-04-18T06:58:50.333-04:00It's amazing you have been able to breastfeed ...It's amazing you have been able to breastfeed for so long! Good for you :-) <br /><br />It was really emotional for me when I weaned the twins. Probably more for me than for them. But we each hit our time when we're done. And for all of us, that has to be an individual decision - what's right is simply what's right for you and your child - not for anyone else.Lisa @ Two Bears Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03464839163693785901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287005166012220959.post-77908622953146840662012-04-18T00:04:28.967-04:002012-04-18T00:04:28.967-04:00I know you know this but I often have to remind my...I know you know this but I often have to remind myself - raising kids is about teaching them and fostering them to their potential but is also about us parents growing as individuals and human beings in stretching ourselves to the limits so we can achieve our maximum potential. With that being said, we all have these moments in our lives. We can all relate. If not, I think we're wearing rose-colored glasses or not really living life.<br /><br />There is a fine balance to fostering independence but also providing structure and guidance. I don't think I'll achieve this balance until the last child leaves the nest, if ever. We are dynamic beings living in an ever changing environment, we adapt as best as we can. If co-sleeping allows for a few precious hours of sleep, I'm all for it! Goodness knows, we have a dysfunctional sleeping arrangement in our house. So dysfunctional it's has actually become quite functional. <br /><br />And I am a strong proponent of breastfeeding as long as babe and mother are mutually enjoying the experience. There's not magic cut off date - only your comfort level. <br /><br />Just know, from my perspective, I think you're doing a pretty darn great job and you and Shaune need to step back and view the work that you do each day and know that it is good.T Rex Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07581711492269619311noreply@blogger.com