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Dear Attachment Parent: Can I Get Pregnant While Breastfeeding?

Dear Attachment Parent: My first baby is still breastfeeding around the clock. We would like to have another child, but I don’t want to wean! Can I get pregnant while breastfeeding? Yes, you can absolutely get pregnant while breastfeeding. Most of us have her the tale of a couple who thought breastfeeding equals contraception and who now have two children …

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The Loneliness of Modern Parenthood

There is something I hear far too often. A quiet, frustrated cacophony of the mothers and fathers I see going about their days with their children. Often alone. Struggling. Holding too much stuff and too many hands. Spending too much time just getting from Point A to Point B. Eager for conversation at the playground with other parents, wanting to …

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Eight ways to respond to unwanted parenting advice

Having a child and taking them out into the world can sometimes feel like an invitation to have others comment on your parenting decisions. With parenting, as with any endeavor, it’s important to be open to new ideas, to listen, and reflect. At the same time, we all know that a lot of the advice offered out there isn’t coming …

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Free-Grazing Kids: A Way To Do Food

What is free-grazing, you ask? It means that you don’t have any artificial restrictions on food in your house. Examples of restrictions include a set schedule of eating times, or only allowing certain foods at certain times. Or only allowing X to be eaten after Y was eaten first. We mostly follow a free-grazing lifestyle because I have an extremely picky and …

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Is An Achievement Mindset Hurting Our Kids?

The need to achieve — to succeed — is all around us. At my two year old’s ballet class, one mother and son were watching through the window. The boy remarked, “That teacher isn’t letting her play. That isn’t very fun.” The mother responded, “Good. She needs to learn how to do it right so that she can move up …

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Dear Attachment Parent: How do I get my kid to stay in bed?

Dear Attachment Parent: My toddler just outgrew his crib. How do I get him to stay in his room if we get a toddler bed? Being separated from your caregivers and protectors before you are old enough to fend for yourself is scary to most young children. For most of human existence, it would have been a very dangerous thing. …

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9 Things Kids Need to Know Before Leaving Home

About 11 years ago, I left behind my “required” education of high school and went out into the world. I left the nest. I no longer lived with a parent. I no longer had someone that woke me up before I needed to go to school in the morning. I no longer had someone reminding me that I had bills …

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Dear Attachment Parent: Is my baby growing well?

Dear Attachment Parent: Help! I’m not sure my baby’s growth is on track. What should I do? Note: We are Pocketful of Pebbles are not medical doctors, so we always advise getting a professional opinion if you are concerned about your child’s health. Unfortunately, not all pediatricians are up to date with accurate information, especially when breastfeeding is involved. Our …

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Family bed inspiration: Twelve gorgeous bedrooms

Have you ever wanted to set up a family bed, but worried you couldn’t pull it off without an interior design fiasco? Do you want to take your mattress off the bed frame, but don’t want to look like you’re sleeping in a junkyard? We’ve gathered up a dozen pictures of beautiful family beds for eye candy and inspiration. 1. …

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How to Parent Without Punishment

Many of us grew up in households where the word of a parent was law… or else. We were expected to do what we were told, when we were told, and without complaining. Many heard the familiar words of “get over it” and “life’s not fair” when they did air their grievances about the way they were treated. When we …