EARLY PARENTAL DEVOTION

The best thing one can do for a newborn, baby and child, for their first years, is to devote oneself to their well being with gladness, and have a sense of gratitude for the gifts of life. As parents, we are given an intimate and delicate task. Developing patience, true attentiveness, compassion, honesty, and being present, are the greatest gifts one can ever give a child. Studies clearly show that the first six or seven years of life, and most especially the first three, have the most significant influence on brain development and subsequent learning, behaviour and health. Though they mostly fade from the child's memory, the effects of impressions, experiences and interactions with people at this time last a lifetime.[1] The first years are so very short and go so quickly in the big picture of life. As a parent, raising oneself to this task can be an enormous challenge, but your efforts will benefit your child for the rest of their life.

Mother and child by Vinod Arora

What you do in detail is less important than the kind of person you try to be and the thoughts and ideas you carry. It is not enough to hide things from children while allowing yourself thoughts not intended for them. We must have and live the thoughts that we feel could and should live in the child. This is uncomfortable but nevertheless true.  

Rudolf Steiner [3]

See How to make decisions 

Clothing and care for the baby  

The negative effects of media 

ARTICLES  

Attunement to babies - Kabat-Zinn

 Good beginnings - Lee Lozowick

Caring for a sick child - zur Linden

Clothes for the baby and small child - zur Linden  

Conscious parenting - what can help us on the way? - Rahima Baldwin Dancy

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[1] Norrie McCain, Hon. Margaret and J. Fraser Mustard. Early Years Study. Publications Ontario, Toronto 1999 

[2] Pearce, Joseph Chilton. Magical Child Bantam Books New York, 1989 

[3] Steiner, Rudolf. The Education of the Child Anthroposophic Press, Hudson, N.Y. 1996

Sacra famiglia  

by Pompeio Batoni

"Only through faith in yourself and in your own life can you respond to a new life given you [...] according to the needs of that new life."  

Joseph Chilton Pearce [2]