Please also pass this on to any of your clients that might be interested.
 Thanks!!

This list is a support forum for parents who are planning to conceive or
who
are currently expecting children and who plan to parent their children in
an
intimately attached, gentle fashion, incorporating the principles of
Attachment Parenting, as defined by the principles below.  Parents
already
practicing Attachment Parenting are also welcome, but because other
excellent Attachment Parenting lists already exist, the focus of this
list
is mainly limited to issues surrounding and directly related to
conception,
pregnancy, and the newborn.

Interested parties should send mail to:

                  [log in to unmask]

In the body of the message, type:

                  subscribe <youremailaddress>

Subscription information will be sent to you when you are added to the
list.

Topics of discussion incorporate the following tenets of Attachment
Parenting:

*  The belief that gentle pregnancy and birthing promotes optimal bonding
between parents and children.  Therefore, informed decisions that result
in
achieving a gentle pregnancy and birth are important.  Emphasis is placed
upon an empowered birth without intervention.

*  The belief that midwifery care, childbirth preparation and education,
and
doula/labor assistant attention can assist in achieving a gentle birth
without intervention.

*  The belief that homeopathy and herbs are helpful in conceiving and can
be
used to ease pregnancy and childbirth.

*  The belief that breastfeeding, extended breastfeeding, and delaying
solids, in addition to the myriad of health benefits, contributes to a
strong attachment between parents and children.

*  The belief that minimal separation between a primary parental
caregiver
and child  (especially in the
early years) promotes optimal attachment, self-esteem, and security.

*  The belief that an infant's wants are his/her needs in the early
years.
Crying, therefore, is understood to be the infants's only means of
communication of his/her needs and so must be attended to promptly and
consistently in order to foster trust and self-esteem.

*  The belief that shared sleeping promotes bonding and security.

*  The belief that slings can be used as a tool to promote bonding.

*  The belief that overuse of infant carriers, swings, playpens, and
similar
devices can detract from bonding.

*  The belief that making informed decisions regarding a child's health
(circumcision, immunization, diet) affects the parent/child attachment.

This is a *support* environment.  Therefore, an exchange of ideas is
encouraged.  Criticisms or challenges to ideas and concepts in a generalized
fashion is acceptable.  However, harsh criticism, rudeness, and judgements
directed to people subscribed to PGAP is counterproductive, and therefore
unacceptable to the group.  Flames of any nature will not be tolerated
and
"trolling" for reaction will be grounds for immediate and permanent removal
from the list.

Interested parties should send mail to:

[log in to unmask]

In the body of the message, type:

subscribe

Subscription information will be sent to you when you are added to the
list.

Thank you for your interest!

Krista Beck-Gallagher
[log in to unmask]
List-Owner, PGAP
mommy to Sarah (12/2/95) and #2 (late June, 1997)