Thank you, Courtney!

blue flowersIn the past 20 years since Attachment Parenting International was cofounded by Lysa Parker and Barbara Nicholson, the nonprofit organization has been a way for parents to join together as volunteers to give a voice to and further the Attachment Parenting movement. API has been blessed with amazingly dedicated volunteers — mothers and fathers and grandparents who have given of their time, talents and skills to the cause. Today, Attachment Parenting has become a household name and, even if not always attributed by name, API’s Eight Principles of Parenting are now incorporated into much of mainstream parenting and childcare trends. We are making a difference!

Courtney Sperlazza, a mother with a big heart and a passion for blogging, is one of these mothers who, for the last couple of years, has given of her free moments to serving as the Editor of APtly Said, the blog of Attachment Parenting International. APtly Said offers an opportunity to any parent who is practicing Attachment Parenting to write about their everyday experiences. The blog provides a place, along with all of API’s publications, to nurture writers, beginning or experienced, not only in furthering their parenting philosophies with the AP approach but also in furthering their writing ability. APtly Said is more than a storytelling platform; it’s a community, and API welcomes comments, which are moderated so that we can give additional support to commenters as needed.

Courtney has been there every step of the way. As Editor, she has coached writers, she has helped parents put their thoughts and feelings into words and work through some of life’s tough moments on paper (or should we say, computer screen), and she has guided commenters onto to other API resources when their questions and needs warranted. Attachment Parenting International is so grateful to her for her time, and we wish her well on her transition to her next life adventure.

So we are looking for APtly Said‘s next Editor. If interested in learning more, please contact Christy Sensenig, API’s Volunteer Coordinator, or Rita Brhel, API’s Publications Coordinator. Please have on hand your resume/CV, two writing samples specific to Attachment Parenting and a strategy for managing the APtly Said blog.

Meditating in the Shower & Balancing Technology Use…

This post is written by Stephanie Petters, coordinator of the API Reads program:

Nurturing the Soul image (2)Come on over to API Reads, on GoodReads, where we’re discussing the last few chapters of Nurturing the Soul of Your Family by Renée Peterson Trudeau.

API Reads is more than club for people who love to read books. It’s a place to share concerns and ideas to strengthen the connection to our children and families. For example, one reader posted the question, “Has the book inspired you to make any changes?” This is one of the responses:

“I’m also trying to take better care of myself. I have my first session with a personal trainer today! I’d like to start meditating, but with a baby who hates naps it’s hard to find time when I know I’ll be able to sit quietly, so I’ve been trying to make my showers meditative. We’ve also started having daily outdoor play time, and I’ve been trying to make sure we have some relaxed family time on the weekend.”

What else have we been discussing? How much technology can affect your family life, whether it is your friend or foe, and how can you help find a balance with it. Also how nature can play a role in balance.

“Yes, like you and Lex, it is harder for my husband to unplug. He loves video games and drawing, which he does on a tablet. During this, he usually has a movie or TV show in the background. There is nothing inherently wrong with these things; it’s how he enjoys himself. And he does take breaks to play with our one year old. We also have dinner together — tech free — and are making an effort to do the same with breakfast. At the same time, when we go on vacation and don’t have our machines, I do feel so much more connected.

I’m not sure how to deal with this imbalance in media use. I don’t find it ideal, but at the same time, my husband is at home, kind and attentive when he needs to be. It doesn’t seem worth a struggle. Thoughts?”

Share your ideas and join the discussion!

Our next book for discussion is for couples, Getting the Love You Want by Harville Hendrix. It starts in September.