Natural Parenting Seeks To Gently, Instinctively, And Fundamentally Parent
Our Children Simply, Naturally, and
Whole-Heartedly

Natural Parenting is a gentle, instinctive, ecologically-friendly, and interactive style of parenting that seeks to return to our parenting roots and a simpler way of living.

It is an attempt to live our lives today much as life was lived in a simpler and more basic time long ago. It is to live closer to nature, closer to our instinctive feelings about parenting, and closer and more united to each other as family members.

Though Natural Parenting is classified as a Parenting Style it is more aptly described as a parenting lifestyle. In fact, it is a “Back to Basics” green and natural parenting lifestyle.

It is a conscientious efforts to enter a Parental Time Warp of our own choosing, for the betterment of our children and for the attainment of a greater sense of Parenting Fun and family fulfillment.

It is to accept that we live in a modern world, but to choose to leave the electronic games that so often isolates the user from human interaction at the doors of our homes in preference to board games and puzzles and other simple entertainments that both educate and unite family members in common fun and universal interaction with one another.

This parenting lifestyle is to speak with one another instead of texting to one another from different rooms under the same roof. It is to have a cell phone in recognition of the world we live in, and yet to prefer the intimacy and satisfaction of face to face conversations whenever possible (and expanding what seems to be possible into making it so).

Though to categorize Natural Parenting (as of necessity it must be in order to speak about it understandably) is to miss much of the uniqueness that pervades this parenting lifestyle. It is like mentioning the Impressionism Art Style as a single art style (which it is), yet to fully understanding that the only thing that unifies this art style is it’s individuality and non-conformity.

Such is an apt description of this unique and liberating parental lifestyle.

As a parenting style it adheres most closely to the Authoritative Parenting Style, which champions personal child development through parental interaction and accountability for actions, though a casual observer could be forgiven in confusing its appearance with that of Permissive Parenting, which it most certainly is not.

It is hard to be a permissive parent when you are asking your children to think about the world they live in and the impact they are having on it, when you are asking your children to eat whole foods and to help grow that food in the family garden, and where an hour playing computer games is an occasional reward for your children and not a way of life.

Natural Parenting can be likened to a convention of cats. Each parent is united in parenthood to one another, just like cats are all cats, yet each Natural Parent is going to decide on how they are going to parent for their own particular children and family needs, just as cats are going to be unique and individual, one from the other.

This website supports many aspects of this parenting philosophy and lifestyle, from admonishing proper nutrition and a healthy, interactive lifestyle, to deciding on the Homework Limits we place on our children, to understanding that we live in a modern world but must avail ourselves of time-testing parenting principles as discussed in our Parenting Today web page.

Girl Holding Orange Carrots - © Pink Sherbet Photography

One of the best description of what we are talking about comes from an article entitled Natural Parenting Comes Naturally by Dana Portwood.

The following italicized paragraphs are direct excerpts taken from this article:

Had someone told me five years ago that I was a "natural parent," I would have sputtered in protest.

Older and wiser now, I realize that is definitely what I am. I do what comes naturally to me, and I don’t let society’s definition of convenience or of natural family compel me to do otherwise.

I used cloth diapers at home but felt no guilt when I sent my children to church or their grandparents’ home in disposables. My children ate pureed peas when I had time and Gerber when I didn’t.

I homeschool, stay at home, read out loud and discipline when necessary.

While most natural parents do share in common the fact that most of us don’t “fit the mold," other practices and beliefs vary widely from family to family.

I serve wheat bread. We eat gardens of fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables. We limit and strictly monitor TV time. We read aloud often. We play board and card games. We engage in some form of strenuous physical activity daily. We don’t own a single video game, although my five-year-old knows more about the computer than I do.

So what defines 'this parenting style'? I don’t believe it’s necessarily specific practices. I would say it is an overwhelming belief that we as parents are able to decide which method of parenting is best for our child, regardless of social conventions. For a very short span of time, we shift our focus from ourselves to these delightful creatures we have brought into this world.

It’s not all about us, our careers, our convenience or our agendas. In a "we need it and we need it now – it’s all about convenience" society, our family has chosen to slow down, simplify and take time concerning the things that matter. While growing up takes years, the time goes by too quickly. I don’t want to time-crunch the moment; I want to savor it. Getting down to the natural basics of parenting has allowed me to do just that.

So there you have it; an understandable and articulate description of what it is to be a Natural Parent from a wise mother of fortunate children who is being just that.

Natural Parenting is to be Globally Minded and yet to do all you can, and to teach your children to do all they can, to live locally and to make the community in which you live a better place because of your efforts and support.

Natural Parenting is to be the parent to your children that you were born to be.

Instinctively.

Lovingly.

Naturally!

Natural Parenting places an emphasis on green living, wholesome foods, home schooling, and other ways of staying close to your children in a natural setting that defies much of the rush and technology of the modern world in which we live.

Return from the Natural Parenting Page to the Parenting Styles Page