Not good if you practice Attachment Parenting

My husband and I attachment parent our 11 month-old son and this magazine doesn't support alternative ways of parenting. For example, one article said that babies are at higher risk for SIDS if brought into a family bed. The article failed to say that while about 52 babies die each year in family beds, over 900 die in their cribs. Much new research says that babies are safer in family beds, but no one wants to read that because it's not a popular opinion and won't sell magazines. There are also way too many formula ads and very few, if any articles on breastfeeding. This magazine simply caters to the common denominator and doesn't show any open-mindedness for other ways of parenting.

A Good Magazine

I like this magazine mostly for the activities and the developmental articles. I agree with some of the other reviews that say that it's "age-biased," but you have to remember that when they publish a magazine, they are targeting a specific audience. 18-34 IS their target audience. If you don't fit in that range, then buy another magazine! I don't buy Cosmo girl because, duh, I'm not a teen-ager anymore. I think this magazine has fun ideas and helpful information about baby products (such as consumer reports and recall information on strollers, carseats, toys, etc). And contrary to other reviews, they DO feature children of all different races, they DO have articles on children who are physically/mentally challenged, and they DO have articles on the benefits of breastfeeding. I don't expect their material to cater to my exact lifestyle (I haven't seen an article about vegan babies yet and I'd like to see something about cloth diapering) but I think they do a good job of trying to include all different kinds of families and parenting styles.

Great Magazine But Poor Business Practices

As an owner of a day care center/director educator, I did recommended Parents magazine - but no longer - I have cancelled. With 5 months remaining on my 2004 subscription, I began to receive collection letters with a increasing threatening tone ("protect your credit,etc.") for subscription extension to 2006. My letters to a PO Box (no telephone # is listed)on their "invoice letters" produced no action. You don't want this hassle.

It is unfortunate that attempts to force renewal is destroying the reputation of a top notch magazine.

Charlotte Johnson
Allen, Texas