Mommy Books You Need to Read: Attached at the Heart

Attached at the Heart: 8 Proven Parenting Principles for Raising Connected and Compassionate Children, by Barbara Nicholson and Lysa Parker

This just-released book is a must-read for all parents who want to forge a strong bond with their children and make a long-term positive impact on society. Each chapter deals with one key principle of Attachment Parenting. The extensive appendices after each chapter provide a wealth of information. It is obvious that tremendous research has gone into this book.

The authors are the cofounders of Attachment Parenting International (API), an organization which, according to their website, “Promotes parenting practices that create strong, healthy emotional bonds between children and their parents.” Their goal as an organization is “Through education, support, advocacy and research…to heighten global awareness of the profound significance of secure attachment - not only to invest in our children’s bright futures, but to reduce and ultimately prevent emotional and physical mistreatment of children, addiction, crime, behavioral disorders, mental illness, and other outcomes of early unhealthy attachment.” Lysa Parker, one of the authors, actually lives in Huntsville.

In the first chapter the authors discuss the legacy of John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth, pioneers in the field of attachment theory. By laying a scientific foundation for the principles presented throughout the book, the authors validate the importance of the material which follows. Each subsequent chapter refers to specific studies as well as anecdotal evidence to flesh out the various principles which deal with everything from pregnancy and childbirth to discipline and character development. They discuss infant feeding, infant sleep and nighttime parenting, nurturing touch, consistency, gentle yet effective discipline, and creating balance within the home.

In the final chapter they sum up their entire philosophy nicely when they say, “If you take only one important lesson from this book, we sincerely hope it will be that you have the power, as your child’s greatest advocate, to make your own choices, based on what is best for your family.” This book is so comprehensive in scope that Christine Northrup, MD, herself an accomplished author, says “Trust me. This is the only baby book you’ll ever need! It’s amazing, heartwarming, and completely user-friendly. Just add your heart!”

Attached at the Heart is available at A Nurturing Moment Maternity and Nursing Boutique on Airport Road. Mention this article for a 10% discount on your copy through May 31, 2009.