Beyond the Sling: A Real-Life Guide to Raising Confident, Loving Children the Attachment Parenting Way [Hardcover]

Mayim Bialik (Author), Jay Gordon (Introduction)

Book Description

Release date: March 6, 2012

Mayim Bialik was the child star of the popular 1990s TV sitcom Blossom, but she definitely didn’t follow the typical child-star trajectory. Instead, Mayim got her PhD in neuroscience from UCLA, married her college sweetheart, and had two kids. Mayim then did what many new moms do—she read a lot of books, talked with other parents, and she soon started questioning a lot of the conventional wisdom she heard about the “right” way to raise a child. That’s when she turned to attachment parenting, a philosophy and lifestyle popularized by well-known physicians like Dr. William Sears and Dr. Jay Gordon.

To Mayim, attachment parenting’s natural, child-led approach not only felt right emotionally, it made sense intellectually and instinctually. She found that when she followed her intuition and relaxed into her role as a mother instead of following some rigid parenting script, both she and her children thrived. Drawing on both her experience as a mother and her scientific background, Mayim presents the major tenets of attachment parenting, including:

CO-SLEEPING

How to avoid “sleep training” and get a great night’s sleep for the whole family.

BREASTFEEDING

Learn how to listen to your baby’s cues rather than sticking to a rigid schedule—and why people on airplanes love a nursing mother.

BABY WEARING

How to “wear” your baby in a sling or a wrap to develop a closer bond with your child—it’s possible even for mamas with bad backs (and with big babies)!

GENTLE DISCIPLINE How to get your child to behave without yelling, threats, or time-outs—it really can be done.

Mayim describes the beauty, simplicity, and purposefulness of attachment parenting, and how it has become the guiding principle for her family. Much more than a simple how-to parenting guide, Beyond the Sling shows us that the core principles underlying attachment parenting are universal and can be appreciated no matter how you decide to raise your child.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Attachment parenting proponents will welcome Bialik’s openhearted message and advice to follow one’s instincts, and even readers who are skeptical will enjoy Bialik’s warm and nonjudgmental voice.” --Publishers Weekly

“Alternative ideas on childbirth and childrearing for today's modern parent.” --Kirkus Reviews

“Beyond the Sling is a delightful look into the parenting journey Mayim is making with her husband. Her family-first stories are an inspiring reminder of how we navigated these waters ourselves. We have learned that when parents choose to parent with attachment in mind, they make a lot of other good, holistic decisions regarding the health and well being of the family. She invites her readers to understand attachment parenting, see how it is working for her family, and choose what can work for their own.” --William Sears, MD, and Martha Sears, RN, Authors of The Baby Book and The Attachment Parenting Book

“Drawing on her education as a neuroscientist, her instinct as a mother, and a community of support, Mayim has passionately embraced attachment parenting principles for raising her children. In Beyond the Sling, she shows how the secure attachment relationship that she has developed with her children has given her the confidence to define her own natural parenting style.” --Barbara Nicholson and Lysa Parker, co-founders of Attachment Parenting International and co-authors of Attached at the Heart

About the Author

Mayim Bialik is perhaps best known for her lead role as Blossom Russo in the early-1990s NBC television sitcom Blossom, and she currently stars on the top-rated comedy The Big Bang Theory. Bialik earned a B.S. from UCLA in 2000 in Neuroscience and Hebrew and Jewish Studies, and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from UCLA in 2007. She designed a Neuroscience curriculum for homeschoolers in Southern California, where she also teaches biology, chemistry, and piano to middle and high school students. Married to her college sweetheart with two young sons, Bialik is also a Certified Lactation Education Counselor. Visit her at MayimBialik.net.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone (March 6, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 145161800X
• ISBN-13: 978-1451618006
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (68 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #400,887 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

81 of 84 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An approach to parenting I was surprised to find I really related to ...! March 6, 2012

By shelz123

Format:Hardcover

I definitely subscribe to many of the tenets of Attachment Parenting -- gentle discipline, baby wearing, breastfeeding, etc. Others I'm not so sure about -- as fascinated as I am by Elimination Communication, I don't think my kid will be going diaper-free anytime soon!

I know some people think Attachment Parenting feels preachy or dogmatic, but I just don't see that here. Yes, she has some strong beliefs. And she backs them up with facts and statistics, and also with her own personal stories and anecdotes about her experiences parenting this way. What I liked is that she's not trying to shove her ideas down my throat. She acknowledges that the ideas she promotes may not be for everyone, but she says she just hopes people take what works for them and leave the rest. That's a parenting philosophy I can get behind.

50 of 53 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars interesting for later study March 9, 2012

By FoxyMomma 1284

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

What I enjoy about this book is that it does a fair job introducing the reader to a lifestyle that bucks today's popular trends. She warns you upfront that most people will not agree nor be supportive, but that you are qualified to make these decisions, so dont back down to the pressure.

In truth, her discipline methods in some ways remind me of how God gave us freewill. She encourages modeling good behavior for your kids to immulate and discourages overt verbal or physical correction that would embarass or control too much, as she finds that the kids will naturally learn how to share and show their thankfulness when need be. I love that she shows the importance of breastfeeding and pushing through the pain as well as that of childbirth as she details the often neglected and horrible side of birth interventions.

Although she might not consider herself one, she appears in all ways a modern hippie. She is vegan, green, and anti consumerism. She also is still breastfeeding her 3 year old son. If that throws you off, just consider that at the end of the day the book is really an encouragement to consider how to love them. They are not accessories and this a once in a lifetime event. Dont screw it up! So turn off the tv, dont buying so many useless toys, make a gallant effort at choosing a job with less interference, be present, give of yourself (and your breastmilk) and your time and energy. Simply put - love them!

38 of 41 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great comprehensive look at AP March 14, 2012

By Candy Cane

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I loved this book. I am a practicing AP parent and I am not as die hard as Mayim. I suppose the only differences are, I do not do Elimination Communication, I allow my sons some TV, they are vaccinated and we have too many toys. I like how she covered every aspect of raising young children, from the birth, nursing, cosleeping, baby wearing and gentle discipline. Its kind of an all in one where you can do further research on each subject.

Which brings me to addressing some of the bad reviews I have seen on here. If you are looking for a book where AP has proven the kids turned out great you have to go no further then to read Dr. Sears' attachment book, he has wonderful grown up children . This book is about someone who has a very clear memory since she is only a couple years out of the very young stage and thats what I liked about it. There are numerous books on parenting, this is not your typical one, it is heart felt and personal. Also you do not have to be wealthy to practice AP, I am not wealthy, I work from home after my children are sleeping. It has not been easy but I know its the best way because I am listening to my instincts.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful read... March 14, 2012

By Christie L. Maxon

Format:Audible Audio Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

When I had my first daughter in April of 08' I chose to parent in a way that came from my heart. The minute she was born I knew I could never be apart from her. I had to hold her in my arms forever and keep her safe and happy. I did what came naturally. I breastfed her on demand, wore her around in several baby carriers, trying to find tha right one for us, and I wouldn't dream of putting her in a room all alone without me close by. I breastfed her for 18 mounths where she weaned herself, we co-slept till she was 2, and she only moved out of our room because our second, my son was a very loud and needy baby. My son was born in 10' and I proceeded to parent the same way. Often carring them on both front and back in our ergo carriers... He nursed over a year... My third arrivel in 11' and I'm doing the same things with her. It has come naturally, Attachment Parenting... I loved this book, and she really brings you into real life. I found it informative in all aspects dealing with AP as well as letting it be known we aren't blowing off our friends or family members, we're just doing what is right for our family... My husband and I have had but one date in the almost 4 years since our eldest was born. We were back home and my mother was in charge, we shot for dinner and a movie, but by the time dinner had come, we were almost falling asleep in our meals. We were home after paying the check and into bed with our kids... I wouldn't have it any other way... Way to help lighten the stigma about loving our children enough to put them first and not "fit them into our lives" I fit in to theirs... After all they chose me to be their mother... I can't let them down now can I... Great read...

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Appreciated this personal look into attachment parenting March 13, 2012

By Julie

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

After seven months with my first baby, this is the book I have been searching for. Mayim generously shares intimate details into her life raising two children with the attachment parenting methods. Since my daughter was born I struggled between doing what felt natural to me and what society (and many family/friends) said I should do in regards to feeding, diapering, sleeping, and holding my baby. I really appreciated the personal stories Mayim shared along with scientific evidence for why she believes and does what she does. The book is broken down into parts so you can easily skip to the section in which you are most interested. Honestly, I wish the book were even longer. I felt I went through so quickly. Perhaps what I appreciated the most even is the Reference section at the back where Mayim lists web sites, books, and goods she likes and why. They are very useful tools in furthering any research you would like to do on a topic she covers. I definitely will recommend this book to friends who are expecting or have children.