Can we take attachment parenting too far. Certainly. But, there is no healthy substitute to this form of parenting. It is borne of a natural tendency by rite of our creation.

Couldn't they have simply told us what
the kid was doing? 

<<<<<   If the boy in the picture is a minor (no doubt),  why is this not the quintessential illustration of child molestation?  Does the mom cut him off only after standing on the stool becomes awkward? 

Before I get into the issue of "attachment parenting" (dang),  I had to ask that question.  I am fine with women's body parts and breastfeeding, but . . . . .

For heaven's sake,  a mom should stop nursing her kids sometime before they start telling their friends in the neighborhood,  "My mom sure has nice tits."  Call me a right wing nutcase,  but if I think it is true (I mean, look at the picture) ,  why doesn't this kid?  

(Apologies to my church friends,  but it had to be said.)

Turns out this is a real mom/son orgy feeding time and the kid is 4 years old (apparently they like doing it in front of a camera).  The geniuses at Time have decided that "attachment parenting" has gone too far and have given this kid a great memory,  in proving their point.  

Yes, these are really my kids; get over it.  

You will pardon me as I work to avoid  seeking parenting advice from those who call themselves,  "The Me Generation."  Here is what has been my experience.  I have five children.  The oldest,  and we are talking "old,"  is my first born,  Julie Delynn,  age 46.  My youngest is the sweetheart of the family,  Nancy Joan (28). My three sons occupy the middle ground,  one a lawyer,  another an ER doctor and the third, an independent business man and coach.  The girls were both leaders in their class(es),  suma cum loude and valedictorian.  The boys did well in college and each was a state wrestling champion while I coached them (they would have been nothing without me, of course).  Julie kind of became a great adult on her own.  Her mother and I were just getting into the whole parenting thing when she was growing up.    But the rest of the bunch had the benefit of a lot of parenting contact.  So much so,  nearly all of their spare time was filled with activities that brought parent and child together.  They did not have time or opportunity to ruin their lives,  as so many kids do - cut lose from close contact with their parents.

Time for young parents to move away from "attachment parenting??"  All I have to say is this:  do so at the risk of your kids' well being.  Understand that if you screw up your assignment as a full-time parent,  there really is no turning back for the kids.   I say,  fill their days with activities you and they love and you will get the vast majority through high school and into college or a good vocational school.  Give them a Christian background, whether  you believe or not,  and let them make the adult choice on their own.  Teach them compassion and patience and responsibility by [you] living that out in their lives.

When you stop to think about,  parenting for the truly involved couple or adult individual, is a rather easy assignment.