Without getting into the highly private, intense, and controversial areas of parenting styles, I still see an enormous benefit to educating about the critical impact, for life, of what a baby and toddler experiences in the 0 – 3 age range. While we can focus on a variety of ’superficial’ issues, one parenting method over another, choices that seem vital to the parenting style we want to endorse, we seldom hear or have an open discussion of the impact of subtle nuances on our baby’s wellness. Even amongst ‘experts’, the importance of clarity of our own values and priorities before we parent is seldom discussed.

Learning to recognize, love, and accept that which is difficult, unacceptable, and challenging within ourselves is a fundamental precept to parenting. Support for that process is vital and easily makes the difference between a parent who suceeds and one who is overwhelmed.

Please encourage all those you know who are comtemplating parenthood, are already parents of babies/toddlers, and who are caregivers to seek their most trustworthy parenting voice from their own essence. As always, I welcome your questions and comments.

• Good nutrition in pregnancy is key. Eat the very best diet you can, and of course, refrain from any toxic substances (tobacco, alcohol, etc.)
• Insure your baby’s safety and well-being. A dangerous environment or a lack of response to baby’s stress create a series of effects that can actually slow brain development. Responding lovingly and consistently to your baby’s cries and giving her attention to insure that she does not experience this type of stress.
• Talk to your baby throughout the day, describing what you’re seeing, what you’re doing. The interaction actually builds brain connections, readies her for language skills, and creates a healthy emotional bond.
• Start reading aloud to your baby as early as possible. In addition to helping brian development of language connections, you spend time together and instill a lifelong love of books.
• Choose high quality childcare. There is a huge range of quality within childcare options, and selecting an environment that is sensitive, loving, and appropriately stimulating will greatly enhance your baby’s brain development.
• Get the information and resources you need. Learn about your baby’s development, ask questions at check-up time, and find the resources you need. The 0-3 year old time is a unique opportunity to shape your child’s entire life by carefully choosing what environment you provide.

I cannot stress enough the importance of the mother’s and father’s emotional life, and how they impact the baby’s health and well-being. This by no means implies that parents should ‘put on a happy face’ for their babies. The artificiality does not fool your baby for a moment. The motivation to do something about your own frustrations and challenges, and the compassion and wisdom to integrate your own growth into your parenting is the valuable approach.

Your fears, worries, and anxieties are communicated to your baby without so much as a word being spoken. It’s the ultimate inspiration to take action to calm yourself, explore your support options, and consistently apply the principles of growing yourself. In this way, what you project onto your baby will move in the direction of more and more healthy parenting.

Please comment on my blog. I’d appreciate it!