RIE is probably the
closest to my instinctual parenting style. I came across a blog about
it quite by accident, then I read a couple books about it – one by the founder of the method, Magda Gerber. Here are some guidelines RIE
teaches:
- Every child should have a safe environment where he/she can play and explore
- Babies need time to play on their own and with other babies
- Childcare activities (diaper changing, baths, feeding, etc.) should make the child an active participant and warrant your undivided attention
- Weaning should take place at one year old if you can't manage any sooner
- You shouldn't use pacifiers
- Sleep-training is strongly encouraged
- Anything your child is to learn should be learned independently, as much as is possible. This includes talking, potty training, rolling over, crawling, walking, etc.
This parenting
style gets a lot of flack because people think it expects your child
to be too adult. I don't see how this is true, as every child longs
to be like an adult, and children spend all their time imitating what
they see. Here are the points fleshed out and my comments on them.
