Comments on: The @TIME Magazine Photo Shoot I Was Contacted For…What Would Dr. Sears Think? #AttachmentParenting

By: Courtney~Mommy LaDy Club

Courtney~Mommy LaDy Club — Sun, 13 May 2012 16:08:20 +0000

Controversy and sensationalism is what they wanted, and that’s what they got with that cover. It’s so over the top.

By: Barbara Mascareno

Barbara Mascareno — Sat, 12 May 2012 18:03:10 +0000

Are we that disconnected in our culture that we need to promote these types of pictures. Not to mention that we actually need to educate parents on how to love and nurture your children. Parenting 101…need to attend class to show you how to hold your child.
You make a good point about parenting. And I still dislike this picture.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sat, 12 May 2012 13:51:45 +0000

I agree with you. The picture was a sick thing honestly. I am nursing my 18 month old, and while he’s not 3, it’s looks nothing like this picture.

They chose the tough army look to the kid. And a “Oops look, I’m nursing!” expression on him.
A tough look to mom, like “What’s it to you?” THAT is NOT nursing, that IS NOT attachment parenting.

*Sigh* Time got what they wanted, money, SO many people bought this magazine. It’s talked about like crazy. Nothing like a controversial cover to bring in lots of money.

By: Tara Voss

Tara Voss — Sat, 12 May 2012 03:22:27 +0000

I wholeheartedly agree with Ashleigh. I nursed my son until he was 2.5 and am still nursing my daughter who is 14 months. I admit I haven’t read the article yet (struggling to find a copy as well!) but the cover makes me so angry. I don’t flaunt it in anybody’s face that I’m nursing a toddler, but why are they out to make me look like some kind of weird freakshow?!! Just stumbled upon your blog via TopMommyBlogs…I’m your newest follower:)

By: Stefanie

Stefanie — Sat, 12 May 2012 01:57:48 +0000

I am also shocked at the cover for all the reasons mentioned so far (emotional disconnect, not true image of attachment…etc), but also because of the negative reactions, specifically of the stores not sure where to “hide” this issue. I was always a modest nurser, not hiding away in bathrooms but also not letting is all out for others to view in public (purely for self conscious reasons) but the fact that the stores are afraid that the general public will be outraged to see images of something that is natural is disconcerting. I will buy this magazine, and I will leave it out for my children to see and ask questions. Both my children were nursed beyond what is considered by the general public to be acceptable, and both of them understand that breasts are designed for this purpose, to nourish.

By: Susan

Susan — Fri, 11 May 2012 21:31:33 +0000

So…I have seen a bunch of posts today on this subject. I hate the cover myself. It doesn’t do justice to the fact that they’re promoting breastfeeding past a year but rather (as you mention) make it look ugly by having used a boy who looks far older than 3 and putting him on a chair making him look even older!
I nursed all 3 of my children for a year and did so where I pleased. I have lots of friends who nursed well into the second year; some even longer. I offer them kudos not judgement.
And how cool that you were contacted friend!

By: Jenn

Jenn — Fri, 11 May 2012 21:04:43 +0000

I think that’s exactly what bothers me about the cover: that it seems to be less about advocating for extended breastfeeding, and more “look at MY child!” It does seem incredibly impersonal, and set up for sensationalism, rather than advocacy.

By: Pardon My Poppet

Pardon My Poppet — Fri, 11 May 2012 20:56:38 +0000

Totally agreed! Some women this morning said the exact same thing!

By: Ashleigh

Ashleigh — Fri, 11 May 2012 20:39:47 +0000

Since all the hoopla over this magazine cover, I have had my breastfeeding moms friends upset at how silly it makes them seem, and then my formula feeding moms friends outraged that they are to seem less of a parent because they didn’t get to breastfeed. I haven’t read the article, I’ve only seen this image, but it seems like there are so many other aspects of parenting that we should be focused on, than boobs!

By: Debi@ The Spring Mount 6 Pack

Debi@ The Spring Mount 6 Pack — Fri, 11 May 2012 20:19:59 +0000

You know I was just talking about that issue cover last night. And I am all for extended parenting and attachment parenting and it made me raise and eyebrow. And I wasn’t exactly sure why. But It really did make me say, that child is too old, not meaning it in a judging way, more in a too old for me way. Because it is a to each her own thing. Whatever works for your family. But that wasn’t exactly it. And reading your post, it came to me. What it really was. It was the child standing on the step stool. That is what it really was. Not the child’s age. If he was snuggled in his mother’s lap, I never would have batted an eye.
You said it perfectly. Attachment parenting is about meeting the emotional needs and the way that picture is set up, there is no emotional connection.