Peaceful Parenting for a Peaceful World

The mission of Attachment Parenting International (API) is to promote parenting practices that create strong, healthy emotional bonds between children and their parents. We believe these practices nurture and fulfill a child's need for trust, empathy, and affection, providing a lifelong foundation for healthy, enduring relationships.

Through education, support, advocacy and research, API seeks to strengthen families and increase awareness of the importance of secure attachment, ultimately helping to reduce or prevent child abuse, behavioral disorders, criminal acts and other serious social problems.

Meeting Information:

We meet at 10:00 the first Tuesday of every month, unless noted otherwise.

Manchaca Branch Library

5500 Manchaca Rd
Austin, TX 78745
(512) 447-6651  

October 29, 2008:
Come celebreate AP Month with Austin API South & Central Groups!

Bring your friends and spread the word about AP parenting and API. We will enjoy bagels, coffee, fruit and other treats. Feel free to bring something to share. We will sell raffle tickets for a basket full of goodies including API memberships, a Dr. Sears book and much more. Also, take advantage of great membership specials including Buy One Get One Free, which makes a great gift. Donations are welcomed but not required.

Dress in you Halloween best!

where: Brentwood Park (anyone have the exact address?)

when: Friday October 31st 10:00-12:00

why: to celebrate and share AP and API with others!

October 28, 2008:
In order to alleviate the 12:00 sharp cut-off time we have been facing at the Manchaca library with the group meeting right after ours, the South Austin API chapter has moved to a new meeting day for our last two meetings of 2008: the FIRST TUESDAY of the month. Therefore, our next 2 meetings will be:

November meeting: 11/4 (Topic: Finding a discipline style that works for you)

December meeting: 12/2 (Topic: Handling criticism of your parenting style, plus Holiday Potluck!)

No group meets after us on these days, enabling us to not have to rush everyone out of the room. All, please provide feedback to help us determine whether we keep the first Tuesday for 2009 monthly meetings. I personally like that the new day is not back-to-back with the central API meetings (the first Friday), making it easier for me to attend those too.

Thanks everyone!

Melissa, Jaimee, Lea and Sonya

September 28, 2008:

Here are two events in Austin you may be interested in…

 
Breastfeeding Challenge 2008

What: Quintessence Breastfeeding Challenge 2008. This fun event is a challenge for which geographic area (province, state or territory) has the most breastfeeding babies, as a percentage of the birthrate, “latched on.” at 11am local time.

When: October 11th

Why: to celebrate breastfeeding and demonstrate promotion, protection and support for breastfeeding women and their families. It’s a chance for education and peer support done in a fun social way.

Location: Republic Square Park/Austin Farmers Market @ 4th between San Antonio and Guadalupe. 11am Latch on time. Please arrive 15-20 minutes early.

Orgasmic Birth

Who: Presented by The HypnoBirthing Conclave, open to public, $10 donation 

What: A documentary that examines the intimate nature of birth.

When & Where: Friday October 3^rd at 7:15 at The Double Tree Hotel (6505 Hwy. IH 35 North)

September 22, 2008:
The growing south Austin API chapter needs meeting helpers. We are currently seeking greeters, sling librarians and a fund raising coordinator.

Greeters: A very simple job, greeters stand near the door and greet people as they come in, directing them to the sign-in sheet, the membership info and providing newcomer packets to any first-time attendees. 

Sling librarians: These folks will be responsible for part of our large sling library, tracking check-outs and sending out reminders for returns as needed. The ideal sling librarian is someone who regularly attends meetings and has knowledge of baby carriers/positions.

Cloth Diaper Librarian: this person will be responsible for helping our members interested in trying cloth diapers, explaining the benefits of cloth diapering, helping members care for their cloth diapers, and tracking check outs.  An ideal diaper librarian has experience using cloth diapers and is familiar with the pros and cons of the different cloth diapering systems.

Fund raising coordinator: We already have our holiday bake sale in the works for this year, so the fund raising coordinator would work with the leaders and treasurer regarding future fund raising goals, ideas and activities (perhaps future bake sales, garage sales, AP fairs, membership drives, etc).

You will be joining a great group of individuals, and helping to support a cause near and dear to all of us. Our chapter currently has 25-30 parents attending monthly meetings, including many wonderful, committed individuals who have volunteered for treasurer, toy coordinator, snack coordinator and the various lending libraries (sling, book and cloth diaper).

If you are interested in helping our chapter in any of these capacities – or if you see another way in which you could help our group – please email melissacramer@austin.rr.com.