I’m finally writing my introduction (a long time after I intended to!!) despite lurking since pretty much the birth of my baby boy last year in August.
Well, hello from me! I’ve loved reading about you guys and your families and love the way I feel more at home here than more ‘‘mainstream” sites - thank you so much for being a haven for this babywearing, extended bfing natural parenting, cosleeping, AP mama who tries her hardest to also be green (am finally cloth nappying too and loving my chubby boy’s cloth bum).
So, the story so far: I gave birth to my gorgeous baby boy last summer via EMCS 17 days late - not quite the zen homebirth I’d hoped for but he’s more than made up for it since then, he is the most chilled out, cute, smiley (not so) little thing who fills our life with so much joy (and not quite so much sleep
I didn’t know about AP when I was pregnant; if I’m honest I didn’t even think about parenting - just knew I wanted to be a ‘good’ parent… Very naive looking back! But in some ways I think my lack of reading beforehand (most unlike me!!) actually helped me on my journey to a more gentle style of parenting. I just trusted my instincts and ignored those early voices who told me not to spoil my baby, to put him down, to ignore his cries… Instead I held him while he slept, I carried him in a steadily increasing range of slings… I believed him if he cried - I didn’t follow a prescribed mode of parenting. THEN I realised this was a mode! And I was a bit textbook actually!
Since then, nearly 11 months on, I can honestly say I’ve never been happier (or sleepier!!). I love my son, cant see myself going back to work in any major way and revel in the laid back parenting style me and DH have accidentally, and now by design, committed too - I can’t help but credit his temperament (much more calm than either of his parents!!) to this approach - I really feel like he’s taught me so much already I used to be so driven and almost aggressive about getting on in life; now I have a different path and purpose and it’s lovely.
I hope to post more in coming months although we are soon going away for a few weeks so it may be a bit sporadic to begin with. Thank you for having me as a reader to this point and I look forward to being part of the conversation from now on!
Welcome to our little community. That was a lovely introduction, and hopefully we will see more of you. My baby is one next week (Eek!) and I live in South Wales.
Thanks! My hubby insisyed on a Welsh name, as he’s from the valleys lol! I can be extremely verbose when I have the time to type it all, so I quite appreciate long descriptive posts.
Dawn - have read lots about your lovely brood! And a nearly one year old is fab isn’t it? Mine took his first steps 2 weeks ago and is pretty much running now! He looks so very pleased with himself, it’s amazing to watch him tottering about want to bottle him actually, time needs to stand still now I think!!
Would like to upload a picture but will need to do that when I get some actual computer time: iPhone so much easier for co-napping and co-sleeping moments of peace!
I too have an August ‘10 baby, I think you’ll find there are quite a few around here, when’s Eli’s birthday? I have quite a few friends in SE London (I live just up the A13 in Essex, so not far away), whereabouts are you? Would love to have a GP mini-meet sometime around the birthday if you’re up for it..?
Anyway, have a great holiday and look forward to catching you around here more.
I know, you’re so right: I tell myself everyday to remember and enjoy, so many people don’t stop and smell the roses of motherhood and I’m determind to try! In fact I’m a total sap and must admit to still regularly crying happy tears when I watch him sleep! I know it will fly by and we have to drink in the little, awe-inspiring pleasures when we can!
MuthaFunky - I’d love that, I’m in Peckham and he’s a 14th August baby - we are away then too but later in August or early September would be lovely for a meet up! When’s your little one’s birthday?
xx
What a totally lovely intro! Nice to meet you. I am more of a reader on here because typing on this iPod is so annoying, when I’m on the comp though…
My wee girl is 8 months this week, we too are an ap, BFing, try to be green family. We live just down the road from you in camberwell, just by a 343 stop!
Do you know about the South East London AP group - it’s quite new (has roots on the East Dulwich Forum) but has had a few meet ups - one tomorrow meeting at the Princess of Wales pub near Blackheath station at 1130. If you’re free come along!! Same goes Lara if not too far for you.
Hi Lulupeg! I used to live on the Kent/SE London boarders and went to Southwark College! Now live by the sea with my DH, DD (8) and DS (6). Welcome to the forum and I looke forward to reading more of your posts. x x x x x
I’d be so keen to meet up with the ap group, but cannae today :( I did try and meet up with them through ed forum but it was really early on and finding a day and place kept getting crazy. I fully keep meaning to check it out again so I Am stoked you mentioned it! Is there an email list or is it still dine through the forum?
X x
Ha yes- our names! How weird?!
Sorry for radio silence, predictably have been busy with holidays as DH is a teacher so I do like to make the most of him
Lulastic (new name!) - the AP group has a Facebook page South East London Attachment Parenting I think. It also has a meet up group but I don’t quite understand that site! There are some events planned but if none suit I’d defo be up for GP get-togethers as well!
Hope everyone has had wonderful summers, can’t believe September is already here!
