Lately, there have been so many new parenting terms (ie. ESP – Equally Shared Parenting or PP – Partnership Parenting) that I feel a glossary is really required. I stumbled upon a few positive reviews about a new parenting book that sounds refreshing – the author’s primary directive is to “go with your gut.” Brooklyn author and former editor-in-chief of Babble.com, Ada Calhoun, penned Instinctive Parenting: Trusting Ourselves to Raise Good Kids.
Calhoun says “we’re carrying our babies around in slings until they can walk, researching the hell out of our school districts, and asking our pediatricians 5,000 questions at our routine well-baby visits. We’re trying to provide the best, most nurturing environment possible, and in the process many of us are driving ourselves crazy.” I am not sure I fall into the neurotic parent category (only had 6 questions at our last well visit) but either way, her message is clear and makes sense. Trust your instincts when it comes to parenting! Instead of constantly going to the Internet and reading countless articles or taking a ‘scientific’ survey from the numerous parents on the playground about sleep training your child or how to handle sharing or immunizations or how to stop your child from throwing food- do what you think is right. Many of us learn best from our own mistakes so instinctive parenting enables us to navigate down that path more often.
The NY Post Op-Ed piece, Becoming An Instinctive Parent, by Sara Cardace provides more insight into the book and it’s authors’ message that we should stop thinking there is only ONE right way to raise our children. Additionally, you can read this Instinctive Parenting: Q&A with Ada Calhoun on True/Slant. Interested to hear your thoughts about “instinctive parenting.”
From the sounds of it, this seems like a book that I would agree philosophically. At the same time, I’m not sure the message of “go with your gut” necessarily needs to be accommodated by an entire book. But I’m intrigued enough to look at it. Thanks for sharing.