Anastasia

Strong agree on both of those titles. If you can internalize the entirety of what those authors say, if you can teach yourself to implement it consistently, that there will carry through these early years and likely beyond.

Haven’t read that book but that spirit of adults owning their leadership role within the family is something that Janet Lansbury and Dr. Becky return to over and over again in their work, so we’re very much on board. Regarding walks, we have long ago realized that two walks a day works great for everyone in our family so they are a part of our routine if everyone is at home. Because transitions are sometimes tricky for kids, I know and expect that it will not always be smooth to get everyone outside, and when needed to, I “mama bear” them on the way out. Once we are out, it is all good and everyone is happier for having made it outdoors. So I don’t spend much time cajoling or convincing, I just let the routine do most of the work for me and then the rest of it I do on my own on behalf of the kids because I know that in a larger sense, going outside is what they want even if they are not always able to handle the inside-to-outside transition most gracefully.

I needed to hear that it’s ok to leave your baby for 2, 3, even (gasp!) 5 minutes several times a day to just go calmly to the bathroom or finish a sandwich or just… be for a second. The baby might not love it, and that’s ok. You will return and you will comfort her and you will not have compromised secure attachment formation in the process. And your baby will get more and more comfortable with that setup and everyone in the household will be better for it.