Attachment parenting childminder - is there a call for it?

This is exactly the sort of childminder I'd look for . I ruled one CM out because she didn't seem to expect any settling in period with a 2 yr old who had never been left with anyone except family before. I wanted to let the CM get to know the child in my presence (so my DC would feel secure in a strange environment and CM would not be a stranger before I left my DC alone with her). I was told parents should just leave their DC crying on day 1, they calm down quickly and it's not a problem. They cry each day when left. I, the paying customer would view it as a problem, in particular because it revealed a chasm between our parenting style and hers, so we didn't use her.

I think the other DCs might want a time to come first-where she just puts the baby down out of the way.

Of course it's possible. Attachment parenting isn't just about having a massively intense bond between parent and child! It's about being sensitive to their needs etc. I think choosing a childminder is quite an AP decision because it's one person for them to form an attachment to and it's a homely environment with normal, everyday activities. A nanny would be an AP-friendly option, too.

I used to know (vaguely) of a couple of people who childminded in this way, I don't know if they still do, but it does exist.

I think that if you are really interested in doing this you'd have to consider the following:

Keep your ratios lower than the maximum, which could be a plus point as it means in any emergency situation or time clashing situation you can potentially take extra children and therefore offer more flexibility - however, this is more difficult for you in terms of making money as your income would be lower and perhaps less stable. However, if you're doing it in order to spend time with your own DD rather than for the money, that might not be an issue.

Would you be willing to take on older children who may be home educated, even if this meant you couldn't take the younger ones to toddler groups etc? It might be a case that you could attend home ed groups with the older ones where the younger ones could find things to do.

I think you'd have to have a pretty stringent interview type process when matching new potential mindees to the ones you already have, which again may make things difficult in practice (especially financially).

You could probably scout out some general perceptions and potential clients if you try attending some local groups e.g. La Leche League, sling meet, home ed groups. Probably best to try the ones which are relevant to you at the minute but you'll probably find that the same circles of people move between these type of groups.

I think there's a big misconception here. Attachment doesn't mean literally attached every second. Nor does it mean no highchair/no pram ever. It's an approach which can work well with substitute caregivers as long as they're prepared to find their way of attachment caregiving (like the right sling).

I'd definitely use an AP-oriented CM, even if they weren't able to double sling just knowing that they were sympathetic to the approach would help.

You could do the training, which is about to become compulsory before registering rather than within 6 months, and set the wherls in motion then see whether it appeals.

I've looked after 2 AP babies simultaneously - DS was 9mo, other one was 6mo. It would be even easier now DS is walking/toddling.

I'd advertise on NMs rather than in here though

Have to say ... I was happy to do it and would do it again if necessary.

I am a CM and carried a child in a sling for one parent. It was hard work with the other children wanting cuddles, picking up, etc and didn't do my back any favours.

Having the baby in a sling was brill for me when I had 2 under 2 - it made it easier to look after them both rather than more difficult.

I think its just finding the care that's right for your family - our nursery was brill with 'alternative' stuff like EBM, BLW, cloth nappies, and children came home most days smelling of keyworkers perfume, so they were either getting held lots or squirted with perfume....

How old is the baby? I wouldn't mind doing it for most of the day, but I would wonder how the baby would physically develop. If there was no floor play, no highchair time, no pushchair time etc. Also I would wondered if it would feel the same as you.

Totally agree with MuddyDogs - how could you possibly attachment-parent (is there such an expression) more than one child? And what would happen to your own child whilst you were attached to another child ?

I think there could be a demand, you may even be able to charge more, and may even need to as it may not be possible to care for as many children if you have one in a sling.

Maybe do a trial add and see if anyone responds..

Um...how can you make attachment parenting work when you WOH? Isn't the whole point to be attached or am I awfully thick?

I would love to fin a childminder that would do that, I'd feel more like it was a continuation of how I look after my DD than putting her in a nursery. I guess you'd have to have very low ratios though

It wouldn't be parenting cos you're not the parent.

But I do think someone would do well with what's still seen as an 'alternative approach' of responding sensitively to the mindee's needs - slings/rocking to sleep/demand feeding/ blw

The problem comes if you have more than 1 child to mind

The thing is it is very difficult looking after all the kids in your care if one is in a sling all the time, plus really hard on the back. I had a potential parent who requested this and it was impossible with 3 under 5s. I tried it for 2 days. The kids I have who are not in slings are secure and happy and social as it is.