Attachment Parenting International realized a long-held goal to have a book that captured the essence of Attachment Parenting. Of great blessing was to publish the book with a cover that captured the essence of an Attachment Parenting family--the Paris-Barnet Ress family of Nashville, Tennessee, mother Elizabeth Paris, father Jay Barnet Ress, and children Zachary and Elysha. At this Thanksgiving time, Elizabeth's long struggle with cancer came to an end. While API mourns her loss and grieves with the family, along with the API of Nashville Support Group, API is glad to have been graced with her life and this enduring cover photo treasure of secure attachment.
 
The tremendous need families have for parenting support is evident to us at API every day--several of the below links in this edition of API Links make that point very well. I know you're ready to jump to the links but first be sure to continue reading just a bit more to connect with all of API's great links.
 
From assisting parents who welcome a little one but lack the extended family presence or experience to nurture these new parents, to families torn apart by separation and custody issues, to creating awareness about the benefits of adopting the Eight Principles--API is meeting needs. But it's not just families in need, we have a society in need of parenting support, a society that still lingers in practices that science and instinct have long since shown us are unhealthy for children and the adults they will become. With the recent unfortunate advice in a popular magazine regarding children and sleep, API Board President Janet Jendron noted, "It just shows how badly API is needed."
 
By broadening API's presence through accredited Leaders--a big welcome to our most recently accredited Leader Carrie Schaefer of TriCities Parenting (API of East TN)--Support Groups, its publications and communications efforts--especially Attached at the Heart--events, educational resources, and more, API can do even more to change the norm. Think of a world with attachment parenting as the standard of parenting. Think of the impact if every one of us were to help by contributing time and resources.
 
We hope to count on you to support API as we work to meet our budget needs right now for 2010 through our API Founders Appeal: Give to Change the Heart of Parenting. We need you to make a contribution now, and even make a pledge throughout the year, so please visit our campaign, and then spread the opportunity to help.
 
In this edition of API Links, don't miss the tips and ideas for making the most of your holiday family time. For your holiday gift-giving, we are excited to offer you the opportunity to purchase gifts that keep on giving--for generations to come. Visit our newly updated API Store, and find holiday gifts that always fit, never go out of style, and don't gather dust. And don't miss our membership special--with a special offer of a FREE one-year digital subscription to Mothering magazine!--whose support of API we so appreciate. Click here to receive your subscription--it's searchable, printable and linkable and a great way to have Mothering at your fingertips.

 
We thank you for standing alongside API this year, celebrating our 15th Anniversary and growing together in so many ways (see API's Annual Report!). We are so blessed to have such a caring and giving Attachment Parenting community, and we celebrate that every day. As with last year, API Staff will be taking a much-deserved break from daily tasks December 21 through January 1 to spend more time with their families. API's tech systems will still process your membership and store purchases, and donations during that time, as well as send out our annual appeal requests. If you have an urgent need, please contact me.
 
Happy Holidays and a Joyous New Year to You!
  
Sincerely,