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.

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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?

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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.

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