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In spite of its many benefits and rewards, attachment parenting remains a profoundly demanding philosophy. It encourages the constant contact that young children need and that breastfeeding, co-sleeping, and babywearing foster. Those of us who choose the AP way, in other words, pretty much have our children physically attached to us 24/7. And while we wouldn't have it any other way, choosing such a philosophy can lead to burnout.

Mine came this past weekend. On Friday, all I wanted was mind and body back to myself. Boris was fussy; wearing him would have ended it, but I just plain didn't want to wear him. Hamlet threw tantrum after tantrum; I couldn't bring myself to work through his feelings with him. I had no energy left, not even a reserve. Why did we have any children at all? I questioned, thinking of the days I spent writing while my dog slept beside my desk.

Thank goodness it was Friday. The next day I took myself upstairs and spent three hours writing, which was all I needed to restore my equilibrium.

Burnout is scary. While I knew it was just a temporary state, to feel that level of disinterest in the people I love the most made me question what kind of mother - and person - I must be. Sure, kids need to know we parents have limits. But to the extent that we risk withdrawing our love? I had to wonder whether this was the start of postpartum depression.

Obviously, it wasn't. But I did learn one valuable lesson: regular writing time is critical to my effectiveness as a functioning AP mama.