Beyond The Sling: A Real-Life Guide To Raising Confident, Loving Children The Attachment Parenting Way (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
In the preface of Beyond the Sling it says that the book is specifically not a parenting manual, but a tool to inform parents, using the author (Mayim Bialik)'s experiences. But the book absolutely does read like a manual, with a few statements of 'we did this' but mostly prescriptive 'you need to do this' approach. I'm confused by how prescriptive it is, in fact, and who it is aimed at. After all, I've done or am doing all of the things listed in the book - co-sleeping, babywearing, home educating, staying at home with the kids, breastfeeding - we're even a home-educating vegan family, as is Mayim's. But the book is still too prescriptive for me!For a start, I dislike the tone Mayim uses to make small points, and how many of them are blown into much larger, scarier points about how doing/not doing X thing will probably have negative Y results for the child. To some extent this is true, but for a much clearer, more positive and less sensational book on the same subject, I recommend Why Love Matters by Sue Gerhardt.Secondly, Mayim frequently refers to her background in neuroscience, but without ever clearly referencing the research she is working from. The reader is simply meant to trust her arguments and interpretations, because of her past profession. Although there are some studies cited in the back of the book, they are not linked in the book where Mayim describes them. I think this is disappointing for a book that claims to be based on solid science.I agree with most of what Mayim says in the book, but not the way she presents the information. She claims to be writing a personal book about her family, but most of what she writes about is refuting mainstream parenting habits. Yes, she is telling her own story, but she is also asserting that her's is the right approach because she has researched it all. Mayim focuses heavily on the bad reasons for doing certain things, with only a single, AP-based alternative for the parent to follow, which seems unfair as some parents simply do have to work or can't breastfeed etc..This is not a supportive book.I also think that, overall, the book makes Attachment Parenting (AP) looks a bit militant, as if providing the most love and care for your child has to be approached in this tick-box fashion. Anyone who is new to AP will surely be daunted and put off by this book. Anyone who is already doing it may come away feeling smug - but I didn't. I'm simply disappointed, because this could have been an excellent resource and empowering tool for parents, but it doesn't make the grade in either regard. Good and easy read. Because she is known for her acting, Mayim comes across as a "good friend" who is relating their personal opinions with some backing in science. Her book is very real, very personal but the lessons about parenting are very useful. I first read it when I was pregnant and read parts again when my daughter was about 8-9 months old. Felt it was useful both times.A good resource, primer and mind opener.
What do You think about Beyond The Sling: A Real-Life Guide To Raising Confident, Loving Children The Attachment Parenting Way (2012)?
Not my favorite Attachment Parenting book, but a nice example of a family using that style.
—SSlean7919
I absolutely loved this book. It gave me affirmation in my parenting philosophies.
—luis
AMAZING BOOK!! made me want to rethink my parenting :)
—Erin
