Healing relationships In 1983, distressed by spiraling rates of random, anonymous violence and the sense of isolation felt by so many in our culture, Barbara Wishingrad, founder of The Rebozo Way, traveled south. She wanted to see first hand the tribal in-arms parenting she had read about in books on Attachment Parenting. During the many years immersed in that culture, she realized this way of being with babies felt so right, it had to be shared. It was a vitally important step to improving the quality of life for all peoples on the planet. In our affluent cultures, the strife to attain material goods works against traditional family and community relationships. Yet these, loving and continuous bonds are essential for developing wholesome attitudes. When babies are included in the daily life of their parents and community, to be comforted by people instead of objects, they grow up happier, and healthier. When normal psychological needs are met so completely, that people trust themselves and the universe , they become more self-assured, balanced, and peace loving citizens.

Principles of In-Arms Parenting 1) Breastfeeding on demand with child-led weaning 2) Babies are held in-arms, or worn in a shawl, sling, or carrier, most of their waking hours until they initiate crawling. In this way, they calmly indicate when they want to be put down instead of crying to be picked up. Mother and father get used to having baby attached, it feels right when they are together, and not right when they are apart. 3) Prompt response to baby’s cries. Children learn to be comforted by people, not things. 4) Continuity of care for young children. One primary caretaker (usually the mother) and a few other consistent caretakers (often the father and extended family) build intimate relationships with the infant; the child spends most of the time with these caretakers during the first three years of life. 5) Openness to various sleeping arrangements. When all family members, including baby, feel listened to about their needs, you will find the right place for everyone to sleep. In most traditional cultures, family members sleep in the same room or in the same bed. 6) Children are integrated into the life of the family and community. Babies in-arms are mostly in a quiet alert state of consciousness, observing their surroundings from a secure perch. 7) Parents and babies both get their needs met by better communication, by parents’ ability to read their child’s cues, ability to move easily as a unit and to be able to engage in other activities with baby attached.

OUR UNIQUE GIFT Our work is done alongside a growing number of individuals and organizations who are also dedicated to promoting in-arms parenting styles in an effort to move cultural trends toward nurturing and cooperation. The Rebozo Way's unique contribution is educating through art, images, and stories from cultures that successfully practice in-arms parenting in our modern world. Through our photography show, video, educational booklets, collage, and sharing of rebozo wearing techniques, we have helped to promote continuum/attachment parenting since 1988. We reorganized as a California non-profit organization in May 1999, with the intention of expanding our services and educational programs to even more families in the western world. Contact us for detailed information on new and ongoing projects.

website: http://www.rebozoway.org email: info@rebozoway.org

voice/fax: 805-965-4402 toll free: 877-4REBOZO (1-877-473- 2606)