Monday, July 30, 2012

My Fence

Welcome to the Fabulous Hybrid Blog Carnival. Our topic this summer is BOUNDARIES! This post was written for inclusion in the quarterly Blog Carnival hosted by The Fabulous Mama Chronicles and Hybrid Rasta Mama. This month our participants reflect on boundaries in all of its many forms. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.

*******************************

I have always felt like the freak of the family to some extent. My mother was always very supportive and even helped my hippie-ness thrive and grow. My father, on the other hand... I have been the weirdo. I can't blame them. I'm drawn to things that are not mainstream. However, this has created a sort of boundary awareness in me when dealing with my family there.

I remember my dad saying he gave me bologna as my first food. I stayed present with my older daughter when ever anyone else was around. A lot of people actually liked to say they were going to give her crap to eat while I wasn't looking. I basically took these as threats and made it known that I would not stand for it.

My family (on that side) haven't been especially supportive. They weren't particularly supportive of my breastfeeding. Or our decision to keep our son, knowing he had Down syndrome. So I have a sort of an imaginary wall or boundary up. I only share my weird parenting ideas / ideals when it is something that comes up in conversation on its own or I know it can not be avoided. They know that we do elimination communication because my daughter has sat on a potty in their living room and because I've taken both of these littles up to use their bathroom.

chalk on the fenceRather than a "wall," I have more of a fence...
some stuff slips through the cracks.

I do not go to visit very often. In fact, I don't think they know yet that I have dreadlocks. (Although they might. My stepsister is a Facebook friend.) I think they've come to expect that sort of weirdness from me, though.

I think I just find that I am guarded with them. I don't automatically expect acceptance, so I have to be prepared to defend my choices. On the other hand, they have welcomed anyone I considered family with open arms. I am proud of them for that.

Are you completely open with your family about your parenting choices?

*********************************
Visit Hybrid Rasta Mama and the Fabulous Mama Chronicles to find out how you can participate in the next Fabulous Hybrid Carnival!

Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants.

Friday, July 27, 2012

Dread Maintenance

One of my new favorite dos:

Dreadlock ponytailsIts dreadlock ponytails! I love the look!
This was one of my first attempts.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Mamatography - Week 28

Day 190

(07/08/12)

Regardless of the heat, the best place to nap is on Mommy. I wouldn't trade those naps for the world. Even when it is 100° inside!

Friday, July 20, 2012

My 64 Babies

Two days after completing my dreads, I felt like I had found my groove! Baby asleep? Movie on the TV? Time to palm roll! And work on tips, too!


Sasha likes to palm roll!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Mamatography - Week 27

Day 183

(07/01/12)

Hot naked baby wearing his Amber in the carrier with Mommy

Friday, July 13, 2012

Dread Party - Take II

I fretted all weekend that I'd be stuck with half a head of dreads for... who knows how long! I have a friend that is currently in that predicament. She has had half a head of dreadlocks for 2 months! (She isn't local, or I'd help her myself.)

We made plans for me to go to Tabatha's house on Tuesday, whew! I arrived right about 11 o'clock. We didn't have an end time set, but it was only going to be Tabatha this time.

I double-washed my hair the day before, just like last time. I managed to get the remaining hair into 8 braids. Tabatha loved it! She didn't even want me to try brushing out the braids, just leave them once I took them down.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Mamatography - Week 26

Day 176

(06/24/12)

Lots of good Daddy photos this month! I think this one shows off just how handsome my man is. And also how much he loves his daughter.

Desperate to direct our cool air where we need it, Elmo rigged these cups to go over our vent holes. The jury is still out as to the effectiveness.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Creating with... well, what do we have?

Welcome to the July 2012 Carnival of Natural Parenting: Family Creations

This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama. This month our participants have shared crafts, recipes, and philosophies of creativity. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.

***

It seems like a lot of my friends (all over the world) are moving lately. Moving can be a tricky time to keep kids entertained. We moved back in early March and one evening Sasha and I were particularly bored. Whatever could we do?

Monday, July 9, 2012

Monday Minimalist: Giftmas in July

I haven't heard it mentioned yet this year, but I believe some people start thinking about their holiday shopping in July. Crazy, right? Good planners!

The economy is rough... it can be hard to budget for gifts and for toys in general. Did you know?: Americans reduced average supermarket spending by about .5% from 2009 to 2010 while in the same period, toy industry sales grew by 2%.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Sunday Surf: Birth and Spitting and More Birth!

The biggest thing this week was the heat! Oh, and my dreadlocks, of course! It has been over 100° here and our air conditioner just can't seem to battle it. It's been well over 90° inside our travel trailer. Sasha got sick. We got a box fan. We're still considering a window unit air conditioner and trying to get our awning out. Meanwhile, here are a few of links for you.

Twin babies born by c/section, one still in the caul.
Amazing and rare photo!

I've been told that being born still in the sack is a sign of good fortune. I have even heard tale or two of babies being born like this. I wanted to try with Ronni, but they wouldn't let me at that hospital.

There is even a great tandem nursing twins photo in this one!

3 Common Preschooler Behaviors and 3 Ways to Deal with Them
(While Connecting with Your Child)

I love these tips from Code Name: Mama on fun ways to combat undesirable behaviors. I think sometimes we just need to pause and consider why the behavior is so undesirable. It is often our hangups and why should that stop our kids? Still, sometimes this stuff really is inappropriate if only in a certain setting. This post offers some awesome ideas!

Ruby Jane's Home Water Birth Story

Well I guess we'll just make a little theme here. This birth... oh it is so damned perfect! I actually still have a little bit of a hard time when I read about perfect births because while I am satisfied with my experiences, I had wanted to have a home birth. I'd wanted to try a water birth. This birth is even more perfect than that, including a birth in the caul! and a rainbow! Seriously, go check it out.

Sunday Surf with Authentic Parenting and Hobo MamaI'm joining Authentic Parenting and Hobo Mama for Sunday Surf. Share your best reading of the week, and link up your post at either blog!

For more great reading, visit Hobo Mama or Authentic Parenting for the latest Sunday Surf and linky.

Happy Surfing!

Friday, July 6, 2012

Time for Dreading

Thursday finally came and I met one of my volunteer friends (Tabatha of Fat Bottom Babies) at our laundry / shower facilities in our RV Park for my dread party! First things first, I brushed out my braids.

Brushed out Braids - Full Bodied HairI don't think I've ever had so much body in my hair!

Ronni had come along to help watch Tabatha's son. I held Spencer in my lap and wore him, occasionally setting him in his wagon for a few minutes.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Mamatography - Week 25

Day 169

(06/17/12)

You just gotta have a "woe is me" sleeping pic of each kid, right?

I am a sucker for sleeping pics. Here is Sasha snuggled up asleep in her bed for a rare nap.

Monday, July 2, 2012

Monday Minimalist: More Toys

I've posted about toys before. There are several ways you can go about keeping the toy collection from getting out of control. Here are 10 [more] Ways to Keep Kids from Accumulating Too Many Toys.

toy basketSasha's Toy Basket - November 2011

Momma Jorje: Monday Minimalist

Let me know if you have a Monday Minimalist post and I'll share it on my blog.

Click the icon to grab the button for your MM posts or for details on how to join the movement.

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Sunday Surf: Secret Microwave Questions

This week we celebrated my husband's birthday. I started my dread project! Spencer had his 6 month well child check up. And I've been discovering that Spencer likes to play a little rough (upside down, thrown in the air just a little, swinging in my arms, that sort of thing). That has been my week! Here are a few interesting links for you!

Why did the Russians Ban an Appliance Found in 90% of American Homes?

Like I needed more reasons not to use the microwave. I'd really like to get completely away from it, I just don't see it happening - especially in this Summer heat! Have you managed to get rid of your microwave? I know people who have.

Toddler CookSasha, sitting in front of the microwave on a Mac 'n Cheese night. I'm not sure box dinners are much better than microwave food.

40 Questions That Get Kids Talking

Conversations build connection, be it friends or family. Perhaps this list will help me make a more positive parenting connection, especially with my teenage daughter.

It Ain't Over: The Business 9 Women Kept A Secret For Three Decades

This story is one of those that will renew your faith in the human race. I don't often get teary-eyed from sappy stuff in the news, but this one... by the time I got most of the way through this one I was definitely dabbing away tears. These people are amazing! And what a fun way to help.

Sunday Surf with Authentic Parenting and Hobo MamaI'm joining Authentic Parenting and Hobo Mama for Sunday Surf. Share your best reading of the week, and link up your post at either blog!

For more great reading, visit Hobo Mama or Authentic Parenting for the latest Sunday Surf and linky.

Happy Surfing!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...