We are shifting our approach to crying. With the birth of our first child tears were to be feared. On hearing them we jumped into action – bouncing, jiggling or just “plugging” up with breast or dummy. Anything to stop the crying!

During that time some friends had recommended the work of Aletha Solter however we studiously avoided it. We were not ready. Now with the birth of our second child we have finally gone back and read her books and they are making sense to us.

We are now implementing aspects of Aware Parenting – in particular when we know our 11 months son’s other needs (food, sleep etc) are met, we hold him closely and allow him to cry. Gone are the jiggles and the plugs. Anne has commented that her paradigm shift on crying has allowed her to connect with our son more – she is no longer distancing herself during his crying… she is holding him and connecting.

Similarly with our 5 yr old daughter, with our new attitude we are able to be with her while she expresses that pent up anger and emotion. In fact if anything some days when we can see it building up in her we are almost looking for an opportunity for her to release it.

We have added a great friend’s article on Aware Parenting here. Melissa, the author of the article, lent us The Aware Baby by Aletha Solter, after years of us avoiding it.

You can also read how Solter’s book influenced us in the context of other authors in our article, Parenting is Making My Brain Hurt.

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