Who’s the Boss?

Like most people I know, I spent my adolescence longing for true independence. Though my parents certainly weren’t oppressive, I was always anxious to assume control of my own life. I wanted to decide for myself, everything from whether to become a vegetarian, to what I wanted to do with my Saturday afternoon or when I wanted to go to bed. Adulthood, even with all its responsibilities, was freedom; finally, I was my own boss. Eventually, I partnered with an amazing man, and together we took charge of our new life. Six years later, I gave birth to our baby girl . . . and was instantly demoted.

Meet the new boss. After only 21 months on the job, she’s shaken things up quite a bit at our place. So much for deciding for myself when I wanted to go to bed. These days, plans often don’t proceed – well, as I planned – because the youngest person in our family has different ideas. And more often than not, when such conflicts arise, we defer to our daughter. (Within reason and safety permitting, of course.)

Oh, we could insist that she do things our way all the time. We’re the adults after all, right? We could have started her off on a strict feeding schedule, and sleep trained her early on. When she was an infant, and insisting on being in-arms at all times, we could have refused to hold her around the clock to ensure she wouldn’t be “spoiled.” Now that she’s a toddler – an increasingly independent and opinionated one, at that – we could make sure she knows who’s in charge by demanding that she do as we ask, every time and without question, simply because we said so. But our commitment to practicing attachment parenting suggests a different approach.

When she was a newborn, I nursed our daughter on demand (even at 21 months, I rarely refuse her/try to redirect her if she asks). When she protested the crib, the bouncer, and the swing, we brought her into our bed, and stocked up on baby carriers to free our hands while she nestled against our chests in a pouch or a wrap. It didn’t take long for us to realize we were definitely not running this show, but responding to our daughter with compassion and respect was much more important to us than reasserting whatever control we might have thought we, as parents, were entitled to.

Toddlerhood, complete with tantrums and “no!” , presents its own challenges, of course. But again we find ourselves less concerned with establishing authority, focusing instead on supporting and being sensitive to our growing girl. So if we ask her to do something, and she’s firmly opposed, we’re willing to consider that, and usually willing to change course. Of course there are non-negotiables, like taking medicine when she’s truly ill, or not crossing the street without holding our hands. But most situations have room for compromise if you’re not adamant about not giving in.

Much of conventional parenting philosophy suggests that if you don’t establish who’s in charge early on, your kids will walk all over you. But since becoming a parent, I’ve become less concerned with identifying who’s the boss. Our family is a whole unit, and our daughter is just as important a part of that unit as either her father or I. Just because she’s smaller doesn’t mean her opinions are any less valid. More importantly, just because we could impose our will upon her doesn’t often mean that we should. What better way to teach her to treat others with respect than to demonstrate it ourselves, starting with her?  

Author: API Blog

APtly Said, Formerly API Speaks launched in April of 2008 as part of Attachment Parenting International's larger effort to offer interactive content through their newly-redesigned web site: http://www.attachmentparenting.org. All contributors to APtly Said, as with so many of API's staff, are volunteers who donate their time and energy to promote Attachment Parenting world wide. View all posts by API Blog