hi britjojo!
wow - just read your post about co-sleeping and it's really opened my eyes. thank you for that. i hope you know that i applaud your decision to co-sleep, really i do!
co-sleeping works for you and your daughter, not to mention for millions of other families throughout the ages, all over the world. in fact, many cultures still believe in carrying their babies with them all day long in papooses or slings, as well as comforting them throughout the night. so it's not just about co-sleeping, but it's about a child-rearing style sometimes referred to as "attachment parenting." a new name for a way of life that helped humans survive since the beginning of time. which makes me wonder why there's so much alienation going on with today's American kids/teens...is it partly because their parents believed in "de-tachment parenting"??? hmmm...
i liken the debate to the issue of breastfeeding - i nursed my first baby until 5 months (back to work) and then with my second until a full year. historically in the USA, breastfeeding became "out of vogue" sometime in the 50's or so when baby formula was introduced and soon in the 60's thru 70's nursing was downright frowned upon. in the past few decades breastfeeding (much like the trend of career-driven women choosing to become sahms) started to regain popularity with mothers. but there are still a lot of folks (surprisingly a lot of women!) out there who shudder at the sight of seeing a mother nurse her baby in public despite the fact that she's completely covered up! but i digress...
so anyway, i want you to know that i am glad that co-sleeping works for you and your daughter. you are sheltering her throughout this stormy period of both of your lives. but sweetheart, i just hope that you do get some good solid sleep on your own, too!
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