For me it is about recognising the basic humanity and rights of my children, from birth, and facilitating the meeting of their needs and wants. It is about doing things the optimum way rather than the fastest or easiest way at the time. It's about being thoughtful in my approach and having a reason for everything i do or refuse to do.

Most of all it's about being honest with MYSELF about my own failings and working each day to address them. I see my child's happiness and behaviour as a direct reflection on my abilities and efforts.

For me not hitting people (small or large) is a given. I do not expect DD to tolerate behaviour from me that DH would not. The logistics are on the side for me too - i BF, cloth nappied and co-slept while circumstances allowed but when they no longer allowed my approach to DD, from my heart, did not change. The milk in the bottle was given with as much love as the milk from my (now sadly empty) breasts - i gave the bottles skin-to-skin to maintain that element for us both too. The disposable nappies i used when she had outgrown the cloth ones i couldn't afford to replace were my only option at the time, that is not to say i stopped caring, i simply did what i could.

I personally have respect for ANY parent who can explain logically why they do what they do. I am interested in any valid argument even if they go against what i feel.

Mosty gentle parenting for me is about respect, respect for who my children will become, if i am patient enough to love them and let them grow without imposing myself too much on them without cause. Gentle parenting is thoughtful, mindful, conscious parenting.

Bx