Welcome to the "I'm a Natural Parent - BUT..." Carnival
This post was written for inclusion in the carnival hosted by The Artful Mama and Natural Parents Network. During this carnival our participants have focused on the many different forms and shapes Natural Parenting can take in our community.
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All too often, blogging moms can appear to be the picture of perfection. I hope you get a more balanced view of me here, since I do tend to share the uglier side of things as well. Still, this sounded like a fun carnival, especially since I've enjoyed chats with this same topic among my NP friends. So...
I'm a Natural Parent, but...
We eat at McDonalds. In fact, my daughter loves french fries. Aside from cookies, I think they're her absolute favorite food!
We have at least one television (if not three!) turned on all. day. long. I don't like it this way, and it isn't all me. I'm not sure how to make it change, either, especially since Daddy loves him some TV (for PS3 games or NetFlix or whatever).
My husband smokes. I always feel like this is a dark, ugly secret for our family when it comes to my AP / NP friends. Yes, he smokes. No, he does not smoke in our home, but he used to. In fact, he recently switched to smoking eCigs most of the time. They don't smoke, so he can "smoke" them anywhere.
I exclusively used disposable diapers with Sasha. By the time I considered actually using cloth diapers, it was nearly too late and I couldn't afford the start up cost anyway. I'm very thankful to my NP friends for throwing me a surprise cloth baby shower, without which I would still be using disposables for Spencer.
Sasha sits in a car seat facing forward. I didn't hear of staying rear facing until we'd already turned her and I don't have any plans to switch her back. We'll probably leave Spencer rear facing for longer, but it depends on his car seat and how it can fit into our truck.
I really hesitate to share this one, but... I'm addicted to NesQuik! I remember reading something that maybe there was some false information that lead to the boycott, but really... I'm not making a political statement. I just love the stuff!
I almost never do crafts and I nearly obsess over mess when I do let my kids do any crafts.
I carry a "car seat bucket." I don't leave Spencer in it for long, but he is a Winter baby, dang it, and its easier to keep him warm in there.
I hope you don't think less of me. Some of these things do bring me a little guilt, but most of them are just the way I do things. I've certainly gone through times when I didn't want to admit things to my NP friends. I have since learned that they are an amazingly tolerant and understanding bunch... nonjudgmental, that is the word! They're supportive. Gotta love this here blogosphere when you can find a supportive community!
What parenting choices or other imperfections would you like to get off your chest?
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This carnival was created by The Artful Mama and Natural Parents Network. We recognize that "natural parenting" means different things to different families, and we are dedicated to providing a safe place for all families, regardless of where they are in their parenting journeys.
Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:
- My kid is a technophile — Jenn at Monkey Butt Junction hasn't turned in her natural parenting card yet, even though her son prefers electronic toys
- I'm a Natural Parent, but...I use medicine! — Adrienne at Mommying My Way admits that while she hesitates to do so, sometimes she does give her son some medicine when his symptoms get really bad.
- I'm Only Half Planning a Natural Birth — Shannon at The Artful Mama discloses how she is planning her semi-natural hospital birth and still dares to call herself a Natural Parent.
- Why we aren't rear facing — Shannon at Pineapples & Artichokes talks about her decision to turn her one-year-old daughter's carseat around, and how the argument always given for extended rear facing makes her feel.
- Musings of an Almost Crunchy Momma — Valerie at Momma in Progress re-examines her list of natural parenting litmus tests.
- Natural Parenting Does Not Equal Perfect Parenting — Jennifer at Hybrid Rasta Mama admits to several not-so-natural parenting and lifestyle practices.
- 10 Reasons to Revoke My Natural Parent Card — Laura at WaldenMommy: Life Behind the Red Front Door discusses why some of her less-than-crunchy practices are better for her family.
- I'm a Natural Parent - BUT... MacNCheese is Awesome. — Jennifer at True Confessions of a Real Mommy reveals her penchant for some far from healthy eating, cheap food recipes.
- Crunchy on the Inside — Wolfmother at Fabulous Mama Chronicles muses about how the stereotype of a natural parent does not do justice to the very dynamic group that this parenting philosophy attracts.
- My Reality — Megan from The Other Baby Book confesses a few things about her parenting.
- I'm Crunchy But... — Christy at Mommy Outnumbered shares confessions on all of her "non" crunchy ways.
- I'm A Natural Parent, But...it took me awhile — It took Kerry at City Kids Homeschooling awhile before fully understanding and appreciating Natural Parenting.
- I Am Not a Perfect Natural Parent — Momma Jorje shares her dirty little secrets as a mostly natural parent.
- Crunchy, But Not Crunchier Than Thou — Instead of comparing yourself to others, Dionna at Code Name: Mama encourages you to give yourself permission to be as crunchy as you can for right now.
- I’m a natural parent but…I love bedtimes — Terri at Child of the Nature Isle would never let her children cry-it-out, but she has a selection of other methods to encourage early bedtimes.
- I'm a Natural Parent - BUT... — Lani at Boobie Time Blog believes that following the principles of Natural Parenting doesn't mean you fit a stereotypical mold of societal view.
- Confessions of a Low Supply Mom — Mandy at Living Peacefully with Children confesses her insecurities about being a low supply mom.
- I'm a natural parent, but. . . — Not eating her placenta is just one of the ways Ashley at Mama Raw falls short at being a natural parent.
- I'm a Natural Parent But...I have a Few Confessions — Kat at Loving {Almost} Every Moment strives to be a Natural Mama, but wait, she has a few confessions!
- I'm a Natural Parent BUT — Carrie at LoveNotesMama confesses her gratitude for disposable diapers.
- Intestinal Dissection — Melissa from White Noise talks about how imperfection can be beautiful when it is buffered with love.
- How much sugar is too much? — Tat at Mum in Search shares how her no-sugar policy evolved into a balancing act, with the balance point not where she'd like to see it.
- I'm a Natural Parent, but. . . — Amyables at Toddler In Tow talks about three of her parenting habits that are not super "natural."
- Minus Ten Crunchy Points — Joella at Fine and Fair discusses how some of her parenting choices seen as "too crunchy" by those she knows in real life could get her kicked out of the crunchy mom clubs online.
- The Natural Parent "Model" — Kym at Our Crazy Corner of the World talks about her love for not-so-natural cosmetics and beauty products.
- Nice to meet you. — Eileen at Love & Greens talks about how being a natural mama means something different to her every day.
- natural parent blog carnival — Ashley at Daisy Pedals touches on several natural parenting topics; from cloth diapers to cleaning with natural cleaners.
- I'm a natural parent, but you'd be surprised — Lauren at Hobo Mama confesses to liking diet soda and TV and having lost all her reusable shopping bags.
- I’m a Natural Parent, but…. I don’t shop local — Luschka at Diary of a First Child confesses one of her greatest 'natural' failures - she doesn't shop local and support her community, despite wishing she could.
- Who You Callin' Natural? (a Carnival of Natural Parenting Contribution) — A bit of premise exposition, some tongue-in-cheek filler, and a photographic list of all the ways Embrita Blogging cheats at being natural.
- Dirty Secrets of a Green & Natural Mama (and Why I'm Not Afraid to Share Them!) — Charise at I Thought I Knew Mama shares her definition of what it means to be a perfect mama as well as a few of her dirty little secrets.
- Green Mommy Guilt — Jen at Jen and Joey Green talks about how being a perfect Green Mom is overrated.
- Life Coping Devices — Amy at Anktangle discusses two ("non-AP") coping strategies her family has used for getting through difficult times with her son: the pacifier and the stroller.
- We use disposable diapers. There. I said it. — The mama at Our Muddy Boots shares a bed, nurses her 4 year old, is vegetarian, and is committed to homeschooling; but Pampers adorn her child's bottom. Ugh!
- Committed to Cloth, but... — Sheila at A Living Family affirms her love of cloth diapering, despite the draw of disposables.
- Natural Parenting as a Doorway to Deep Truths — Amy from Peace for Parents guest posts at Natural Parents Network and shares how for her "natural parenting" is much less about a definition and much more an avenue to explore truths of life.
- Chicken No-nos — Jessica at Pace Family Place strives to live naturally but feeds her oldest son some not-so natural things
Great post!! I promise I will never judge or think less of you. You are one of the awesomist rockin crunchy mamas I know! I admire you a lot!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Is awesomist even a word? lol
Good for your hubby for switching to ecigs!! And FTR, I'm using the bucket much more with Ailia - with Kieran I could climb in the back and put him in the wrap, but that is next to impossible with two car seats in our car. So the bucket it is - until we get inside :)
ReplyDeleteBaz was a winter baby, too, and tucking him into the car seat bucket with a blanket around him was MUCH better than wearing him out to the car and then transferring him in the rain. I do not blame you - that's smart!
ReplyDeleteAnd I didn't even think of what Dionna is mentioning - there will be even more bucket use with Rerun. Two kids and the loading/unloading of the car freaks me out a little.
I never had a "bucket" car seat, but I can definitely see the appeal, especially when the weather is wet or the baby has fallen asleep in the car. Kudos to you for sharing your "dirty" little non-NP secrets. You're still awesome and crunchy in my book!
ReplyDeleteMoira love french fries too. We have had a LOT of conversations about why we can't have them for every meal.
ReplyDeleteI am glad for this carnival. Glad we don't need to keep these confessions to the dark of night in a private chat. Glad that we can all just be honest!
ReplyDeleteI think bucket seats were ment for winter babies! I loved mine because it kept the kids warm and toasty going from the car to where ever and for sleeping babies... well, NEVER wake a sleeping baby!
ReplyDeleteIm so glad we all got to confess our NL sins. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat confessions! I have a hard time with messy crafts in my home too which is why we take full advantage of the drop-in art studio classes in our city. Glitter is especially forbidden in my home-- so I am happy to pay a fee for the kids to play with glitter, etc. elsewhere!
ReplyDelete-Kerry @ City Kids Homeschooling
You rebel, you ;)
ReplyDeleteI love crafting but the mess it causes makes me groan so I keep them to a minimum myself. Group crafting opportunities in playgroups once a week at different friend's houses is how we get by. We also use all sorts of unnatural supplies (as well as natural ones too though)that make it seem not so crunchy but the kids love them! My son also loves fries but we avoid McD's because I personally find it too toxic but we stop by the chip stand locally to get our fix from time to time. Everything in moderation!
ReplyDeleteThis carnival is great! I keep reading about things that I didn't know to be as PaceFamilyGirl says, "sins" of natural parenting. Thanks for the peek into your natural parenting ways!
ReplyDeleteMy husband smokes too and it just chaps my hide since I try to keep chemicals to a minimum. Uggg...but nicotine is POWERFUL! I need to get him to convert to those smokeless devices. Thanks for the honesty, especially on the smoking. I tend to leave that point out of conversation as well!
ReplyDeleteI always appreciate your honesty, Jorje. I like how authentic and open you are in general, it is one of my favourite things about you. =)
ReplyDeleteAbbey loves french fries, too :) And my husband has smoked (still smokes cigars, on the back porch) before. We also turned Abbey's carseat around before we knew that it'd be safer to keep her rear facing for as long as possible, and I'm butting heads a little with the Hubs about not turning Joe around until he's, like, Abbey's age. Thanks for the honesty. Lots of love! <3
ReplyDeleteI only nursed my son for 6 weeks. I really didn't want to give it up, but it really was the right choice for my family at the time. He is almost a year old now & is the picture of health, but I still have the occasional bout of fairly serious guilt. I know all about breastfeeding & had planned on nursing my son until he was at least a year, but it just didn't work for us. I nearly shattered into a billion pieces when it came down to making the choice & I second guess myself at least twice a week. I wish like hell that I'd stuck with it, but it really was the best choice for my family at the time. My monkey is a perfect little man & that really is all that ultimately matters. Hopefully the next Bean & I will have a better time of it.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand! I am dealing with a lot of guilt as I nudge my 2yo toward weaning. I had always planned to let her lead the way.
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