Raising Children Naturally? Yes, But With Flexibility
When we think about who chooses to raise their children naturally, the first thing that comes to mind are cloth diapers, breastfeeding and organic foods. However this is a simplistic view, because such a choice implies many other things. Also known as ‘gentle education’, ‘mindful education’, natural methods education focuses on responsiveness and awareness to meet the needs of the child.
Today more and more parents choose to educate their children in a 100% natural way, however we must be aware that, as in all things, unexpected events could occur. For this reason, a mother or father who decides to raise children naturally must learn to be flexible.
Educating children naturally
In such an educational model, what matters is to grow and learn constantly. This way, you can adapt to situations and learn from other parents. In reality, this attitude should always be adopted, whether it is natural education or not. Furthermore, it is also crucial to have a realistic approach.
If you want to be a father or mother who decides to raise their children naturally, it is important to open up to new experiences and take into account some things. Read on to learn more.
Each situation and child will require different commitments
It is easy to set rules and make plans before facing reality. A child breathes, cries, speaks in short, lives and depends on you. He will need to feel safe, loved and protected, whatever you have planned.
You may have decided not to get him used to the pacifier, but nothing happens if you give it to him in emergency situations, for example if you can’t breastfeed him or to make him stop sucking his thumb.
The fact that your child feels calm and secure definitely takes priority over your expectations of a natural upbringing at all costs. In the case of the pacifier, for example, he will leave it as soon as he feels confident enough without him.
Even allowing your children to spend more time in front of the television, much more than you planned, is not that bad. To educate your children naturally, you have chosen cloth nappies, but after three children, you may prefer disposable nappies. There is nothing wrong with that and you don’t have to feel guilty.
As for the diet, prefer natural and organic foods. But if your child asks you to eat something that isn’t every now and then, that’s okay. What matters is that things are always done for his good and not just for a priori decision. Also, if your children need medical treatment and drugs, it is irresponsible to deny them because of an ideology.
There are things you can keep
Maybe you have chosen to educate your children in a natural but also flexible way, but certain things are not negotiable and you want to keep them at all costs. For example, you don’t want to make your baby cry so that he learns to sleep on his own. This is fine because he is a child and he needs you, he needs your love and your warmth.
You are firmly against the use of punishment, and that’s okay. Your children must grow up with parents who understand and respect them above all else. Likewise, if you want to breastfeed again after the first year of life, you can, it’s your choice.
If you are unable to breastfeed, if you have to give powdered milk or supplement breastfeeding with a bottle, that’s okay. The important thing is to do what’s best for your baby.
What matters is never to embarrass, humiliate or mistreat your children. They don’t need it. In natural education, intuition is very important and, in this case, there are non-negotiable things that your children badly need. They must grow up in an environment filled with love, affection and parents who care for them at all times. They need to feel safe in their family.
By doing your best with your children, you will do the right thing. The best way to help others is to be an example. Let your experience speak for itself.
