New School Year, New Approach

Sierra at recess today.

So today marks the first day my daughter attends 6th grade with K12's Ohio Virtual Academy. This is her second year with them. Last year she came in late, in September, and we were constantly feeling like we were behind. I also had problems with my daughter goofing off behind my back.

Wyatt loves playing at the park.

This year I vowed to not repeat last years mistakes. So we've made a couple changes. First of all, coming in at the beginning of the year is a huge help. I know that if we get our five hours (minimum) done each day we are on track. Today we logged ten hours just because she had completed a few things before the actual school year began that I could not credit till the first day. 

I also blocked all other websites besides educational ones using a program called K9 Web Protection. She needs my password (which she does not know) before she can go to other websites. Less goofing off means we are done earlier in the day, and then both mama and child is happy.

Of course there is the usual first day glitches. Her class connect didn't want to open for us today. After clearing the cache' we finally got it working, and we were able to "meet" her teachers and learn about what is expected of us this year.

For those parents who are interested, or are just starting your K12 journey, do you have any questions I can answer? 

 You can ask them here, or go to my Cafemom's K12 Virtual Academy Group.

Toddler Freeplay

Since I'm talking about parenting styles a lot lately, here is a perfect example. I was making dinner last night. Homemade pizza was on the menu in case you're wondering. Wyatt was getting into a lot of things and being his usual distraction so once I was done with the rolling pin I just handed it to him and a little flour. He had a blast. Take a look. :)

My best advice for any new parents out there, don't worry about the little things. A slightly messy home is probably a happy one. 

No Good Lie. A Discussion of Santa Clause.

Pagan Dad has a post about whether we should tell kids about Santa Clause. I've seen and replied to this topic several times over the past few days. There's always the argument that if you don't tell your kids Santa is real you're robbing them of their childhood. Verses telling them about Santa and teaching them all parents lie to their kids.

We choose not to do Santa. Though it isn't a simple matter of telling lies. Certainly lying to children is wrong, however for my case our decision not to participate in the Santa tale stems from my childhood. My mother, though she is a well meaning woman, constantly stretches the truth so far that I always have to decipher what is a lie or truth. It's like a puzzle each time she speaks!

I never believed in Santa as a child. Even at a young age I was smart enough to figure out it would be pretty impossible for Santa to bring toys to each child in one night and squeeze his overly large behind down chimneys. Don't get me started on those houses without a fire place!

"Santa brings a sense of magical wonder to children."

I find this one a bit laughable considering people who say this also berate me for being the "weird woman who thinks she's a witch." So what about that "magical wonder" children are suppose to have? Well personally I feel they can still have that without the tale of Santa or the Tooth fairy or whatever other tale parents want to tell. I can also teach my child about the spirit of giving without a big fat man in a suit.

"But there's no difference in telling about God/Goddess and Santa"

I hear that reasoning often too. They have a point, neither can be proved and we just have to have faith. However I don't force my beliefs on my children. I tell them what I believe, and if they choose to believe it to so be it. If not, that's OK too. Same with Santa. If they wish to believe I'm not going to be mad. But I will tell them I really buy the presents.

"But your children will ruin it for my kids."

Children inevitably hear it from other kids. By this time, their probably ready to hear the truth anyway. However I do teach my children that other parents choose to have their children believe in Santa, and that we shouldn't discuss Santa with other kids.



"St. Nicholas was a real person, therefore Santa is real."

Unless you believe in immortal beings, St. Nick is dead! Do you really want kids telling other kids Santa is dead? No, didn't think you did. Yes there really was a St. Nicholas. It's also a good idea to teach your kids about this very real person. If you home school this is a wonderful history lesson. However that doesn't mean you should tell kids he's alive, living at the North pole, and handing out toys to all kids in the world one day a year. A small kernel of truth does not make the whole story true. I don't believe St. Nick is a "Spirit of Christmas", because I believe after so long his spirit would have moved onto many different lives. 

Bottom line is that I strive to teach my kids never to lie by not lying to them myself. There is no harmless lie. Truth and honesty are major moral lessons in this household. I feel that the truth is best even if it hurts ourselves and others at the time. In the end my children know I will always tell them the truth and can be trusted to never deceive them.

That said, I respect a parents right to choose what is right for their kids. If you want them to believe in Santa, go right ahead. Just don't assume my children believe in Santa, and don't force your choice on us. We'll also make sure our kids don't force our choice on your family.


Do you tell your kids about Santa or the Holly King?

My Home, My Rules, and My Wayward Daughter

Dear Miss Sierra Belle,

One day, far in the future, perhaps you'll read this. Sometime in your lifetime there will be endless web pages created by parents that will become a written record of the small moments of your life you'd otherwise forget. So here it is, today's record.

I had to punish you today. Not because of a need to be mean or even strict. I really hate to discipline you. However as children often do, you leave your mom and dad no choice.

See today when you left the house without your glasses because you woke up late for school, I thought I'd be a nice mom and bring them to you. I know how you can't see the chalkboard without them, and I don't want your education to suffer just because of your sight.

So as soon as I had someone to watch your brother for a few minutes, I drove to your school and found you in the gymnasium. Your back was turned to me, so at first I just saw your lovely self talking with a group of friends. Then I tapped you on your shoulder and handed you your glasses with a smile and a hello. That is when my heart dropped. I knew, in that moment, I would have to be a mean mom today.

That red lipstick I let you buy with your allowance, the one I specifically told you not to wear outside of the house, was on your lips. You have many other shades of lipstick and lip gloss except weird colors. A light pink would have looked lovely on you. I know the need to feel beautiful and I don't believe a little light makeup at your age (which is 10 btw) is inappropriate. However since you feel the need to disobey me, I must become strict like my mother.

You see at your age, I was not allowed makeup at all. I thought I was being the "cool" parent by allowing a little makeup. It is makeup after all. No big deal right? Wrong. Makeup should be tastefully done, and that bright red is like an advertisement for all men to say "Look at me, I'm more grown than I really am."

I was going to do the discipline myself. However as I sat here throughout the day, I realized I always am the one to discipline you. So I decided, as a daddies girl, perhaps it's better that your father be in charge of carrying out the punishment.

So when you came home, I grabbed your backpack and pulled all makeup out of it. Turns out you had the red lipstick in your pocket which is a sure bet you knew it was forbidden IMO. I also brought the rest of your makeup into the living room. Then your father proceeded to tell you that if you can't follow the rules, you don't get to have any makeup.

Then the order came from him. You must throw away all makeup. Even the lip gloss. Yep, that one I probably wouldn't have made you do, but it's your fathers choice and I stand by his decision.

You cried, you screamed, you probably want to hate us. But in the end, you'll thank us.

We love you darling daughter of mine. You have no idea how much you are like me when I was your age. Except I had to hide all of my makeup, because my mother wasn't "cool" enough to allow light colors.

For my mother, I just had to call you because yes, we have come full circle. I am certainly getting back what I dished out!

Your loving mother,

SWC

One is The Magic Number

Warning: If you have a queasy stomach or have a problem talking about poop, you don't want to read. 

So my darling child who has an angelic face with a beautiful smile has learned a new way to annoy mommy. You know its so interesting the way you can see little similarities in your children. They really affirm that they are your children and the hospital didn't mix them up! Not that I was worried about that, but I think switched at birth haunts all mommies.

I look up from my computer yesterday because baby man was being too quiet. Its always a bad sign when a child is being quiet in my opinion. So I look up and he's actually behaving. He's just standing there watching me. But then I look down, and I see a little man worm that should be covered up! "Holy moly where did that diaper go?!" was my first thought. My second thought was, "I hope it wasn't poopy again!". I was unfortunately disappointed. Though surprised he hadn't made a bigger mess. I think he'd just taken it off. But I grabbed him and like a military leader instructing her troops, I told hubby to clean up the baby while I tackled the playpen. Of course by this time baby man is happily streaking through the house naked. Maybe he wants to practice rituals skyclad? lol Either way he was very happy to be rid of that cumbersome diaper. So happy in fact he took it off again this morning.

My daughter did a similar thing when she was about one yr old also. Except she was much worse. She was in her crib and had taken it off sometime in the middle of the night. She had poop all over the wall, on her crib, in her hair, on her hands and yes, even in her mouth. YUK. I don't gag at the sight or smell of many things, but I did that day. They are definitely sister and brother. One day when I'm old and grey I'm sure I'll laugh happily as I embarrass my children with tales of their poopy adventures. But for now, this mommy is just hoping not to have a repeat of yesterday.

And speaking of One, Wyatt has a birthday coming up on the 18th. I can't believe he's almost 1 yr old! Time fly's when your having fun.




Prince Lionheart Diaper Depot

Life Without Mom

You ever wonder how life would go on without a mother in  your life? I'm pretty sure I could survive without my own mother. But I don't believe my family would survive without me. As a matter of fact, I fully believe they'd be lost.

Morpheus - The Dream by ~Shelob-

Not that I have any wish to go anywhere. But once in awhile I need a mommy break. So my routine is after dinner I take a 1-2 hour nap while everyone else is doing their own thing in the living room. If I didn't do this I'd be one very cranky witchy momma - which is not a pretty sight.

Mainly DH plays on Facebook, my DD watches TV, and my little man gets in trouble. Yesterday he got in particularly big trouble. See my daughter thought it would be nice to give my toddler son his sippy bottle. Normally this wouldn't be a problem, however my son has discovered he can make puddles of water if he bends the nipple on the sippy. He did this yesterday, on top of the cable box. Needless to say it was toast. Thankfully no major catastrophe happened. But I had to go buy a new cable box for my MIL. Ah the joys of parenting!

It makes me wonder during my little rendezvous with sweet sweet Morpheus if my children aren't just on their own. Obviously some lack of supervision happened yesterday. While I'd like to put all blame squarely on my husbands shoulders, I know it won't do any good because he is who he is and its futile for any woman to try to change a man.

Still, I hope some lesson has come out of this. For one, get a new sippy that doesn't leak (IF they exist). Two, find a new place for the cable box.

Only My Daughter

Today all of us went to the YMCA. Just Sierra (my daughter) and me were swimming. Father and son played out in the hall and watched. I noticed when Sierra got close that she had makeup on. This wouldn't have been a problem if I also didn't know that she hadn't had time to put it on after school before we left the house. So I ask her, "When did you put eyeshadow on?" She told me on the bus. Her friend had some. Hmmm. My detective mommy brain goes into suspicion mode. So I asks, before school or after school? Well of course she said in the morning. We have a rule in this house. She's allowed to wear makeup only at home. My mother had the same rule when I was my daughters age. When Sierra is in 6th grade then she'll be allowed to wear makeup (tastefully) at school. Sierra is only 10 and in 4th grade.

After giving the speech about doing wrong and when she can were makeup at school, she starts asking if she could please please please wear makeup at school because everyone else does. No my darling dear. I know you really want to, but no you may not!

But I had to smile. I remember when I was her age. Oh  yes dear daughter, I know all the tricks of the trade. I wore makeup before my mother was ready to see it on me too.

And then she does another thing that reminds me she's my daughter. Getting ready to leave the YMCA, she's in the bathroom stall next to me and I hear a plop and then she starts crying. Somehow, someway, she fell off the toilet seat. Silly silly girl. It's probably my fault she's so clumsy. I was too at her age. She's ok, just has a sore bottom. But I couldn't stop myself from laughing a little.

I've come to realize that motherhood has turned me into a prude. There was a young couple kissing and hugging and otherwise doing "young love" kind of things. I saw my daughter watching them and suddenly I wanted that couple to stop. I've never been uncomfortable with public displays of affection. Hell I was that couple when I was young! And doing much more naughty stuff than that couple was doing. But thinking of my daughter who will be a teen in just a few short years, I'm ready to embrace my mommy prudish morals!

Wyatt Helps Mommy with Laundry

My day so far... Yeah... lol. Its fun chasing around a toddler! 

Would You mind your SO donating Sperm/Eggs?

There's an interesting question on Cafemom today. The question is:

Would you mind your SO donating sperm or eggs for money?

I've never really thought about it before. But my immediate response is NO. First of all, I don't see the reason why money should be spent on IVF when there are children already born that needs loving parents. If your unfortunate to have fertility issues, perhaps that is the creator telling you something. Perhaps you are meant for bigger and greater things, like adopting a child. 

I just don't see where a couple should go to such great lengths to have a biological child. Genetics does not a family make! 

Another reason I am against my Dh donating sperm is that I consider it MINE. I don't believe any man should "donate" his seed if he's not willing to raise his child. I just couldn't be OK with a child out in the world that was my husbands and not know the child. Nor could I be OK with a child with my own genetic makeup being a stranger to me. 

What about you, would you be OK with selling your own or your SO's sperm/eggs?

Is Tattooing a Minor, Child Abuse?

This Georgia Mommy didn't think so. When her son Gaquan wanted to remember his brother who died in an accident, her son chose to get a memorial tattoo. This mom thought that if she gave her permission that it was OK. Not according to Georgia state law however. Under the law no one under 18 is allowed to get a tattoo.

While I think there are other ways to remember a lost loved one that doesn't include tattooing a minor, it's up to the child and parent(s) decision on whether a child gets a tattoo. It certainly makes a difference to me that this is a tattoo in remembrance and not something frivolous.  His tattoo will always have meaning.

This mommy was arrested and charged with child abuse. Do you agree with the states decision? I know a lot of people think Child Protective Services are increasingly out of line on what they label child abuse. While I think CPS does do some good, cases like this continue to prove a point. The Government wants to control your house hold and how you parent.

I see this as similar to other forms of body modification commonly performed on children - piercings and circumcision. Both cosmetic, both I believe should be up to the person receiving them.

Circumcision: A Mutilation

I wrote this article in college. I recently re-read my work and though I think I could have done a better job of writing it, it does have some good information to share. Warning, if your uncomfortable with naming correct body parts, don't read. I do not sugar coat the horrors of circumcision.

While I do agree that parents have the right to decide what is best for their children (normally), I also believe in a child's right to integrity. No child (IMO) should be forced to have a cosmetic surgery. That is my stance, and if you disagree that's fine. But I won't keep comments that flame me for it.

Circumcision: A Mutilation

 Robin L. Carpenter

January 4, 2005

Childbirth: Usually this word gives us an image of a joyous time in a family’s lifetime. Rarely though do they think about the atrocities parents allow doctors to perform on their boy’s only 24 hours after their birth. Parents today willingly allow doctors to mutilate their boys without realizing the physical and psychological implications of circumcision. As a result, approximately .20% of newborn circumcisions have complications after the surgery. (Razmus, 2004)

Pain Relief
    During the surgery the infant may or may not receive an anesthetic. Often circumstances such as the infant’s health and doctors preference are the deciding factors for whether the infant receives pain medication. Even if an anesthetic is used the child will feel some discomfort. According to Aldric Hama a lab test performed on animals gives us some insight into circumcision and pain relief. The test showed that even with pain medications animals were still hypersensitive to pain. (Hama, 2004) This finding suggests that infants that do receive pain medication can still feel the pain and will be hypersensitive to pain in their adult life. 

Physical Damage
    Despite the obvious physical pain, circumcision can leave your child physically damaged as a result of the surgical procedure in his adolescent and adult life. Often the damage is not noticed until young teens or into adulthood. The reason why most botched circumcisions go unnoticed is because young men do not understand how an intact penis looks or are unaware of the damage circumcision causes. By this time the damage inflicted is not included in statistics. Botched circumcisions can include skin discoloration, a chapped penis, missing frenulum, loss in size, and skin bridges. (NOHARMM, 2004)
    A chapped penis is often very painful. Sexual intercourse with a chapped penis can cause bleeding and will often crack from the shaft being too dry. This can lead to a higher risk of STD’s because of open sores, even though Trevor Lane says, “Circumcised men have a lower risk of HIV infection than do uncircumcised men.” (Lane, 2004)  Mr. Lane did not take into account the dryness circumcision causes and when cracks in the skin arise.
    A frenulum, as defined in the Webster’s online dictionary, is “a small fold of tissue that prevents an organ in the body from moving too far.” (Webster dictionary. 1988) The frenulum is much like a “g-spot” for men. Sometimes a botched circumcision cuts the frenulum away, leaving no “g-spot” for the man. This can potentially be devastating to men’s sex drive.
     Skin bridges are skin that is connected from the glands to the shaft of the penis. The bridges look like craters in the penis connecting from the tip to the shaft. Some are flat against the penis, while others are not. When the penis is erect they can tighten and even break away from the shaft. As you can imagine, the craters create a problem with hygiene. Dirt and debris can get down into the craters and cause an infection if not properly cleaned. One of the biggest reasons parents chose to have their boys circumcised is the belief that a circumcised penis is easier to take care of. Dr. Paul Fleiss explains,     "The natural penis requires no special care. A child's foreskin, like his eyelids, is     self-cleansing. Forcibly retracting a baby's foreskin can lead to irritation and
    Infection. The best way to care for a child's intact penis is to leave it alone."  (Fleiss, P., 1997) If the penis has not been circumcised correctly and skin bridges or craters form they can potentially be harder to clean, making it easier for the man to develop an infection and more susceptible to STD‘s from open sores.
    Circumcision robs men inches from their penis. According to Dr. Paul Fliess
“Depending on the foreskin's length, cutting it off makes the penis as much as 25 percent or more shorter.” (Fliess, P., 1997) Many men are sensitive about their size. Circumcising your child could lead to your young man being ashamed of the size of his penis.
    Skin discoloration itself is not detrimental to men’s health, however it does have a psychological impact on men. Skin discoloration can cause men to have low self-esteem or be ashamed of their genitals because they look different.

Psychological Damage
    Psychological issues arise immediately after the surgery and last throughout adult life. However, most mental issues are never connected to circumcision. Immediately following the surgery the infant is less likely to bond with his parents. He is often slower to accept food and is more sensitive to shots or other pain. (Hama, 2004) During adult life Aldric Hama explains, “ Seeking medical attention may be, in part, due to circumcision-induced hypersensitivity.” Meaning that circumcised men are quicker to seek medical attention. (Hama. 2004, p 40)

Reasons Why
    Even with the evidence showing that circumcision can be detrimental to men’s health, it is still a common practice. The reasons why parents opt for the surgery range from religious beliefs, hygiene, family tradition, and ignorance. Often families think that circumcision is a routine procedure that is always done, despite the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) statement saying, “Benefits are not significant enough for the AAP to recommend circumcision as a routine procedure.” (AAP, 1999)
Benefits
    Circumcision is believed to come with some benefits.  Among the medical world it is believed that circumcision can be used as a preventative measure for Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s), a decreased risk of penile cancer, easier to maintain good hygiene, and the treatment of balanitis, phimosis, and paraphimosis. (WebMd Health. 1995-2004) The only benefit circumcision provides at infancy is a less chance of developing UTI’s. All other benefits come at a later age. It is believed that circumcision can reduce the risk of penile cancer. However the American Cancer Society released a statement in 1998 stating that,
    “Penile cancer is extremely rare in the United States and accounts for less than     one half a percent of cancers diagnosed among men and less than one tenth of a percent of cancer deaths among men. Circumcision is not of value in preventing cancer of the penis.” (ACS.1998)
If penile cancer is so rare and the AAP thinks that circumcision is not a preventive measure, then why would we bother to worry about such a rare disease?
Legal Situations
    There are people who consider circumcision as child abuse and against human rights. Dr. Paul Fliess states, “The concept of informed parental permission allows for medical interventions in situations of clear and immediate medical necessity only, such as disease, trauma, or deformity. The human penis in its normal, uncircumcised state satisfies none of these requirements.” (Fliess, 1997) To date lawsuits have been successful only when it is deemed that the doctor has performed a botched circumcision. (CIRP. 2004) So why are circumcisions legal? William Brigman answers this question by stating, “The United States Supreme Court has upheld the fundamental rights of family integrity and recognized that there exists a private realm of family life beyond state control.” (Brigman, 1985) No one wishes to go against a family’s right to make decisions for their children.
    The bottom line is that medical society wants you to think that circumcision is best. My belief is that they want you to alter your child because it is an out of pocket expense. By reviewing the material I have here it shows that there are many con reasons, and little pro’s for this major alteration to be performed on un-consenting children. It is time that we stand up to our doctors and let them know that it’s not OK to mutilate our boys by saying no to circumcision. They came into this world with foreskin, and they
should go out of this world with foreskin unless it is by their choosing that it be removed.



References

Hama, Aldric (Fall 2004). Long-Term Behavioral Effects of Injury at Infancy: The case     against Circumcision. [Electronic version]. Mankind Quarterly. Vol. 45 Issue 1,     p35, 11p

NOHARMM. (November 23, 2004). December 4, 2004. How to Identify Circumcision     damage in the adult male.     http://www.noharmm.org/IDcirc.htm

Lane, T. (June 2004). Circumcision Lowers risk of HIV, not other STI’s. International     Family Planning Perspectives, v30, i2, p56 (1).

Webster's NewWorld Dictionary. (January 1, 1988) [electric version] December 19, 2004
    http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definition/Frenulum

Razmus, I., Dalton, Madelyn. Wilson, D. (2004) Pain Management for Newborn     Circumcision.     Pediatric Nursing, v30, i5.

American Academy of Pediatrics. (March 1, 1999). New AAP Circumcision Policy     Released. December 19, 2004     http://www.aap.org/advocacy/archives/marcircum.htm

WebMd Health. (1995-2004), Circumcision Topic Overview. December 19, 2004.
    http://my.webmd.com/hw/raising_a_family/hw142452.asp
   
American Cancer Society. (1998) Misleading Information Dispelling     Miscommunications. December 19, 2004     http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_Misleading_Informatio    n.asp

Paul M. Fleiss, M.D. (1997) The Case Against Circumcision. Mothering, p. 36-45,     December 19, 2004 http://www.noharmm.org/mothering.htm

CIRP (May 2004) Circumcision. Legal Issues. December 19, 2004     http://www.cirp.org/library/legal/

William E. Brigman. (1985). Circumcision as Child Abuse: The Legal and Constitutional     Issues,     23 J Fam Law 337.

 
NOTE: It seems some of my research links are no longer valid. I've kept them as they were originally written.

My baby has Superpowers

It never fails. Sometime between 12 am and 3 am I think it's safe to assume little man has been sleeping long enough to say he's in a deep sleep. I fix my covers, grab my pillows (I have several. Must have pillow support!) and I settle down to get some much needed sleep. That's when I hear the tell tale whimpers from the crib. I begin to pray that those whimpers cease or better yet are my imagination, but usually no such luck. I swear he has mommy radar.

So I get up to fetch my baby, grab my drink and tonight I added a cookie to my routine just because I deserve it. Guess I won't be getting much sleep again. Luckily breast feeding my little man usually knocks him out again, if only temporarily. If tonight goes anything like the previous week, as soon as I put him in his crib again he'll wake right back up. Sleeping on my chest seems to be the only way he and I can get some sleep. Co-sleeping has its advantages, but I can never be comfortable or get a good nights rest while I know he's right there with me.

Well blogger fans, if your sleeping have some good dreams for me.

On another note, this is my 200th Post. Woohoo!

And here's little man having some laughs with daddy. Wyatt is saying Dad more often too. Sorry the quality isn't the greatest, I think I need a new camera.

And were OFF

It's Wyatt and Mommy at the starting gate. Wyatt is a spirited young stud and he's pawing and scooting around while Mommy is an older mare and couldn't care less what the young man is doing.

And were OFF.

It's mommy and Wyatt neck and neck as we round the couch end turn. Then it's Wyatt as he giggles gleefully and heads toward the computer cords. But wait, mommy put on a burst of speed and foiled Wyatt's move.

Now it's Wyatt heading toward the invisible spot in the carpet. He's got a wad of hair but Oh no mommy grabs it from him.

And now we have Wyatt who watches mommy slyfully as he grabs the diaper pail. But Daddy swoops in from nowhere and baby is foiled again.

And Wyatt is off, this time heading to the rocking hair bend as he grabs the seat and wait.. He pulls himself up! Holy cow I've never seen a baby take off so fast. Oh no, he's let go and fallen down but don't worry mommy is there to pick him up.

And there you have it folks Mommy saves the day with her nummie maker soothies.  lol

Obesity is a Crime

That's the headline I expect to read sometime in the future. Certainly officials are trying to make it so, for children at least. A Cleveland, Ohio third grader has been taken from his mother for being overweight. Granted, he is severely overweight. No third grader should weigh 200 lbs.  But that doesn't give a good excuse for ripping this child from his parents. These parents are not beating their child. They are not making him wear rags or going without. They are working with a doctor to loose weight.

This is what happens when government gets involved where they don't belong. This child isn't being abused. Is he in perfect health? No. But he's also in no physical or mental danger. There are so many children out there being abused and neglected that will not get help because social workers are busy removing children who don't need their help. This is not a problem social services should be involved with.

Some people are just predisposed to being overweight. I should know, I am one! And so is my daughter. Guess what, she's not thin either.

Obesity is a problem, but it's not one that we should point fingers at and say abuser or unfit parent. The damages of removing the child from his home is far worse than any potential health hazard from being overweight.

Just ask Anamarie Regino, a 3 yr old removed from her home for weighing 90 lbs. When are people going to realize that everyone comes in different shapes, sizes, colors and personalities. Making obesity illegal is wrong, plain and simple. It is NOT child abuse.

“Literally, it was two months of hell. It seemed like the longest two months of my life,” mother Adela Martinez said.

Her daughter, 3-year-old Anamarie Regino, weighing 90 pounds, was taken from her parents and placed into foster care a decade ago.

Anamarie didn’t improve at all in foster care, and she was returned to her parents. The young girl was later diagnosed with a genetic predisposition.

“They say it’s for the well-being of the child, but it did more damage than any money or therapy could ever to do to fix it,” Martinez said.

Anamarie Regino, who is now a teenager, agreed.

“It’s not right, what [Dr. Ludwig] is doing, because to get better you need to be with your family, instead of being surrounded by doctors,” she said.

 

My Breastfeeding Mommy Weakness

I posted this on another blog but I thought it would be a good topic to post about. My son, Wyatt, is 4 months old and is a Nummie lover supreme! Breast feeding is easy now, but it wasn't always that way.

My first weak moment for me is a time when I felt like my body was not my own. Wyatt was only a couple weeks old then, and the term "leech" came to my mind. I'm not sure if that was a little bit of PPD or what, but I felt so guilty for feeling that way. If you've ever felt that way, its OK to just unlatch and take a breather.

I remember about a month after he was born I had a mommy breakdown. My nipples were cracked and bleeding so bad I was flinching every time he latched. This was before we had his tongue tie clipped. Trust me, if you have a baby that is tongue tied, find a doctor to clip it! The night of my mommy meltdown I was exhausted. I sleep on the couch and had his bassinet right beside me. He was waking every two hours to nurse still. That night I cried as I was feeding my son. I just couldn't stand the pain any longer. Using my own milk didn't help sooth my nipples. Nor did any cream. Our local Wal-Mart didn't carry nipple shields, so I sent my husband to the store at 4 am to buy bottles. That night I felt like a complete breast feeding failure. I let him feed our son while I got a good nights rest.

The next day I went back to breastfeeding our son. I had my husband feed him one bottle a day for a few days till my nipples healed. Then went back to breastfeeding full time. His tongue tie was also clipped by then, so we were having a better time with latching. Soon it became an afterthought to just pop the nipple in his mouth and lay back in our recliner while he had lunch. My husband is such a trooper. In those early days he took care of everything while I just nursed in the recliner. He brings me water and food and takes care of the house and our DD while I relax and breast feed. So I just want to say having family support you in those first weeks post-partum (and beyond) is a wonderful gift!

Before the baby, I said I'd only breast feed to 6 months. When I got pregnant and did a lot of research. I then changed my mind and said I'd go to a year. Now, I don't see us stopping at 6 months, a year, or maybe not even 2 years. I'll let him decide that.

So I hope whoever is reading this, perhaps you just have your brand new little one in your arms or just found out your pregnant, I just want to say I've been in your shoes, and while its not easy, its completely worth it!

Wyatt. 4 months old

P.S. This has all been typed while breast feeding my son! You get really talented at multi-tasking! 

World Milksharing Week!

Lets take a break from the Pagan posts to talk about Milksharing. Its World Milksharing Week! As a breastfeeding mom, I'm all for milksharing. It hit the news a few days ago about a father to a 9 month old decided to go on an all mothers milk diet. Unfortunately it looks like his blog has been taking down. I know a lot of people were upset that he was drinking it instead of the milk going to an infant. I think a lot of people over reacted without taking into consideration that,

• The milk is theirs to decide what to do with it. No one has the right to say what someone should do with their milk. 
• Donating milk isn't always easy. Milk banks have a lot of rules on what milk can be accepted. 
• Giving it to others can become expensive if its being shipped. Think about how much they had! In this economy not many people would be able to ship it. 
• IMO there are health benefits for adults to drink it too. 

There is a happy ending though. A mother of quadruplets has been given the milk, and evidently they worked out the logistics of getting the milk to her. 

About 10 years ago I had a coworker pat my belly and revel in the joy of new life forming. I was 3 months pregnant at the time with my daughter. Before my daughter was born, he was dead from cancer. We watched month after month as my friend went from a scrawny 110 pounds down to pure bones. He tried marijuana to help his appetite. However after awhile my friend just gave up. He stopped Chemo, he stopped eating, he stopped answering the phone or even leaving his house. Breastmilk may not be a cure for cancer, but it might have been able to help him keep weight on him. That would have given him the energy to continue the fight for life. Even if it had no physical effect for him, the hope it could give might have been enough for him to continue the fight.

There hasn't been enough research on the benefits of breast milk for adults. We are still fighting the good fight to raise awareness for its benefits for kids! But the more we raise awareness for the natural uses of breast milk the more accepted it will become for both children and adults.

Here are some links I found on Breast Milk uses for health reasons.

Breast Milk the New Wonder Cure? - By Louise Atkinson.

There's little doubt that breast milk helps keep babies healthy, but could it be a miracle cure for adult illnesses, too? 

That's the suggestion from a number of studies on its use as a treatment for conditions as varied as cancer, diarrhoea and diabetes.

In the latest research published last week, a Swedish team reported that the sizes of bladder tumors were reduced just five days after patients were injected with a breast milk compound. 

The team at Gothenburg University had been looking at the antibiotic properties of breast milk when a researcher noticed that cancerous lung cells in a test tube died on contact with breast milk.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1268987/Cancer-arthritis-diabetes-acne--breast-milk-new-wonder-cure.html#ixzz1Z0vV18S3

Breast Milk contains Stem Cells

The Perth scientist who made the world-first discovery that human breast milk contains stem cells is confident that within five years scientists will be harvesting them to research treatment for conditions as far-reaching as spinal injuries, diabetes and Parkinson’s disease.

But what Dr Mark Cregan is excited about right now is the promise that his discovery could be the start of many more exciting revelations about the potency of breast milk.

He believes that it not only meets all the nutritional needs of a growing infant but contains key markers that guide his or her development into adulthood.

To wrap this up, I'd just like to leave you with these final words. If you are OK with drinking milk from a cow or goat, then why wouldn't you be OK to drink milk from a human? Its just Milk, so drink it. :-) 

A pagan/witchy artwork.

I absolutely love the Goddess art of Jonathan Earl Bowser. His artwork just speaks to me. I could sit and look at it for ages and never tire of it! If I had the money I'd certainly buy a few originals. My all time favorite of course has to be Isis. She is so beautiful here and I love the colors of the sunset and the flowing gown and wings. Its so beautiful! His artwork reminds me of the PBS guy. You know the old hippy? Bob Ross was his name. I loved to watch him on Sunday mornings. While he was painting his "Happy little trees" I was waiting for my mother to pick me up, and bemoaning the fact that I had to leave my great granny. But we had a good time watching TV, sharing stories and just being together. So thinking of art makes me think of my great granny. I really miss her! I think she taught me a lot about how to be a parent. I wish I had all the stories memorized that she did. I slept in her bed when I visited and we would snuggle and she'd tell me little bedtime stories and fairy tales.

Sorry I got off track! That's OK though. :)

Isis. By Jonathan Earl Bowser

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DD the Pretender

My lovely, darling, mini me daughter is a pretender. Once in awhile she gets tired of going to school. I think we all get tired of routine. But as a mom, its my job to make sure she goes to school. I remember from her preschool days the nurse advising that she only stay home if she has a fever or is vomiting. I thought that was pretty good advice. But I felt bad when a few days before the fever and vomiting began she felt crappy and didn't want to go to school. So I developed a little system. I'd offer her to stay home when she asked, but it was an automatic you must go to the doctor. I discovered DD does not like to go to the doctor, and if its not that bad, she just chooses to go to school.

This morning DD came in and it went something like this.

*Cough Cough*

DD: "Daddy I don't feel good"

(She always asks daddy first, because he's less likely to say no)

*Cough Cough*

DH: "Whats wrong with you"

*Cough cough*

DD: "My stomach hurts"

*Cough cough*

DH: "Then why are you coughing"

*Cough cough*

DD: "Because my throat hurts too. Can I stay home from school?"

*Cough cough cough*

DH: "I don't know, let me feel your forehead. Hmm. You don't have a temperature."

*Cough cough*

DD: "But I really don't feel good. My stomach hurts and my throat hurts and I have a headache."

*Cough cough, fake cry*

DH: "I don't know, ask mommy"

DD: "Mommy wake up! Daddy said ask you if I could stay home. My throat hurts, I'm coughing, and my head hurts."

*Cough cough cough cough, cry*

ME: "You have two choices, you can stay home and go to the doctor, or you can choose to go to school."

DD: "AHHH. I'll just go to school!" Coughing ends. :)

She would not make a good actress. lol

Happy Breastfeeding Week

Sierra giving Wyatt breast milk via bottle

So Wyatt is 2 1/2 months old now and that means we've been nursing for that long. My second baby is so much easier than my first and I attribute that to breastfeeding and co-sleeping. My first I did things very traditional. Formula, CIO, sleeping in her crib from day 1, etc... I didn't have any mom input from others besides grandmothers and great grandmothers so I really had no other viewpoint.

Me & Wyatt nursing

Now I can definitely see a difference. Wyatt still fights sleep like Sierra did, but he doesn't scream all night. He's chose his own schedule to sleep which is fine. The point is that he actually does sleep! With Sierra she would cry for hours on end for years before we'd have a peaceful nights sleep.
I refuse to sleep in the actual bed with Wyatt. I'm afraid I'll forget he's there and roll over on him or something. But his bassinet is next to me which was so great when I was first out of the hospital. I had a c-section so standing always was a pain.
I think I'm really doing things better now. Not that FF is bad or anything. I think its great if your not able to BF. I'd certainly rather see a baby well fed ANY way than to die of starvation. But breastfeeding is so much more than just nourishment. Its our special time. I like the bond that it has given us. With my daughter, she's more of a daddy's girl and I have always been jealous of that.

I like my num nums!

Nursing

I don't go many places right now, but when I do usually I'll need to nurse in public (NIP). I live in a very small town so breastfeeding in general isn't very popular. I've gotten a mixed bag of looks and comments. Some just smile and nod. Some glance at me and look away. A few have pointed their finger at me and whispered to their companions. And one even asked to "See the baby". As if he didn't know I was nursing. That guy was just a perv. The point is, breastfeeding is natural. It shouldn't be this foreign concept that people want to hide away or point at like its part of a circus side show. So in honor of breast feeding week, I'm proud to say I'm a breast feeding mother, and I hope that my experience will help another mom to choose to breast feed her LO too.