What Is Natural Parenting?

Maybe you’ve heard people talk about Natural Parenting but are still unsure what it’s really all about? It’s become a bit of a buzz term – but what does it actually mean?

According to the Natural Parenting Network it means a desire to live and parent responsively and consciously.

Being responsive is easy enough, but making conscious choices is a little more complex as it covers a broad range of areas including feeding, sleeping, using nurturing touch, communicating with your child, practicing gentle / positive discipline, providing consistent and loving care, education and striving for balance in family life.

 

There’s a lot to unpack here – it’s a big topic! But we’ll just look at being responsive and conscious choices today…

 

Click here to watch my latest clip ‘What is Natural Parenting’…..

Principle Number 1 – Being Responsive.

Being responsive means tuning in to the needs of your baby and being there – all of the time.

Is your baby hungry? Feed him.

Tired? Find him a quiet place to sleep.

Cold? Warm him.

It’s not rocket science – what a relief!

A wise and beautiful mama told me early on that if you can do these simple things and respond to your baby when she needs you – that is actually 100% the secret to success at this parenting gig. The end.

Well, ok maybe there is just a little more to it…. which leads me to principle number 2….

 

Principle Number 2 – Conscious Choices.

Making conscious choices means being aware of what you are choosing.

It means you don’t have to conform just because society or that book says so.

It can be easy to get swept up in the baby-expo-excitement or keeping-up-with-the-Jones’ hype and feel that you need to have this or that thing. But do we really need / want all of the stuff? Can we choose a simpler life?

I would like to add here that it’s okay to make choices and then change your mind. (Phew!)

It’s also okay if you don’t get it right all the time. Maybe just some of the time. Like even maybe 50% would be winning right!?

Parenting is an organic process that keeps unfolding (and changing) day-in day-out.

All you can do is be there for your babe and choose your own adventure….

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I’m curious – what does Natural Parenting mean to you?