In all honesty though, other than some posts on facebook to try to clue people in who happen to chance upon it, I'm scared to come across as pushy so I dont often say things out loud. A lot of people just arent open to thinking outside of the "BabiesRUs" box of parenting.
Cloth diapering, I get. Its not peoples things. Its "gross". Its time consuming....yada yada yada...
I encourage it from an ecological and economical stand point because thats usually what catches peoples attention. I really dont do cloth diapering for ecological reasons. I guess its a bonus that I'm saving disposables from the landfills and all that but....its not high on my priority list...Dont get me wrong, I do like knowing that I'm doing something for the planet that my son will be inheriting one day, but its not my motive for most things in life right now...
I cloth diaper because it saves me money and looks cute.
I do it because I like not having to worry about running out of diapers and I like knowing that a "bum change" is only a wash cycle away in crappy weather.
I do it because I like knowing that by spending $400 now, I'm saving myself upwards of $2000 later and any money I dont have to shell out over the next 2 years(and more when I use them with baby #K one day) is awesome by me...
I do it because I like showing people that this incredibly daunting and "scary" thing is actually nothing like what they thought it was...or on the other end, I relish the fact that, one day, a certain someone will be cursing me for making this particular choice because its not the choice they would have made and yet they are forced to deal with it(evil, I know).
I do it because its a fashion statement. I can coordinate, stylize and decorate another part of D's wardrobe and make him that much cuter with his little leg warmers and prints and I know that no other baby in our little circle has those extra accessories to play with.
I do it because its old fashioned even with its modern twists. I like the romance of being able to say that our parents and grandparents did it for generations and that todays disposable society is actually a new concept. I like hearing my Grammas stories and comparing CD'ing pictures of my little and antique littles<3 I like being able to connect to day-gone-by.
I do it because its a little bit elitist :S All-in-all, I just sort of like having that "one up" with my little fluffy butt.
Baby Wearing, I dont get. I do not and cannot begin to understand why "buckets" are still sold and why any parent in their right mind, after learning about all of the benefits of babywearing, would still make all of these excuses as to why it wont work for them.
Its a "hippy" thing. Its unsafe. Its too expensive....ARGH!
I have wanted to BW since before I was pregnant. The bonding. The comfort. The developmental benefits for my baby. <<<CLICK FOR A COMPREHENSIVE ARTICLE ON THIS SUBJECT:)
It was after I had D that I did more research and found my soap box.
I bought my first stretchy wrap for $20. $20!!! I realize that it CAN be expensive but it doesnt have to be. Yes the Wrap, Mei Tai and Podaegi I am eyeballing(and struggling to choose between) right now are all upwards of $100....but thats because, to me, they are worth every penny to have a fabulous comfortable material and years of extreme wear & no tear.
I know I will use them with all of my future babies and hopefully my grand-babies. I know I will lend them to friends to try and convert them when they are struggling to maneuver an empty stroller with one hand while juggling a needy Little in the other. Or when their backs and shoulders are aching from the pressure points of the "buckets" they are using, they will be amazed at the fact that with proper use of the right carrier, they could be carrying a 5 year old if they needed to with little effort or strain.
The fact is, you dont need carriers. You need one good carrier to last you through all of your babies that can be worn with little to no adjustment by all of your littles loveables(my suggestion for this is a Mei Tai or SSC btw:P). So the money is worth it. If youre like me and develop a passion for it, then you save up the money to build your collection. You teach your spouse, grandparents, and babysitters the basics with your "starter" carrier so they can experience all of the benefits too.
I will admit that my littles loveables are all terrified of my wrap for various reasons. The main reasons being the intimidation equation of the wrapping itself and then the menfolk dont seem convinced that "a single peice of fabric" is safe enough or strong enough to be able to hold up a baby on its own without use of ample hardware. My Mei Hip was a "need-now" buy so it was not something I *wanted* but it suited my purpose at the time at the right price. I still use it for running in and out of places because its an easy on & off carrier with buckle closures but its soon to be replaced by a ring sling which is even more convenient and portable....but every carrier has its place, even if its only in the car for emergencies.
Yes, strollers have their place, but in most situations I find myself in, it just makes more sense to wear him. It keeps my hands free but my kiddo close(and wrangled). I will admit that I am one of those paranoid mamas~I barely trust people I know with my baby, let alone strangers so the thought of being out in public with him where hes awkwardly out of reach or sight. I feel better knowing hes on me instead of in a basket on wheels...**this may also be the reason why I have only spent 2 nights away from him since he was born, and only then it was because he was with my mom. I really cant bring myself to leave him with anyone outside of MY family~and even then, there are only a couple who make the cut.**
But I digress....
When it comes to the stroller vs. carrier thing, other than my own over protective instincts, wearing wins because I like knowing that my kiddo is able to interact with people instead of their knees. Hes at eye level with all the people oohing and ahhing over him. He can see what I see and he can learn about it. I can talk to him and he doesnt have to strain his neck to see me. When he's tired, he can fall asleep with his head on my shoulder and I get my cuddles in that I need too.
My soapbox when it comes to babywearing is high indeed.
In my head, when I see people doing front facing carries or using crotch danglers, I want to run after them and tell them there are other ways. But I'm not that woman~yet. I do not have it in me to say things to people out loud....I inform them before the fact. I give pamphlets and share articles. I show them pictures of the amazing feats and features that a carrier can have. But I am not at the point that I feel I will not grievously offend someone by trying to show them something that could help them. I worry more about annoying them by inundating them with information.
The fact is that parenting is competitive...and sensitive. There are sides. Its very easy to offend someone with good intentions.
The thing is, I love baby wearing. LOVE it.
I want to convert people. I could talk about it for hours. Its not a money thing. Its not a eco thing. Its a little of an "edge" thing...I sort of like it when people stop and point out how beautiful my carrier is or when someone points out to another mom that "thats what you need"....I like that its a tradition. That its been passed down. I am such a sucker for the whimsy that age old practices reflect and the connection to mothers from THOUSANDS of years ago.
But ultimately, its a personal thing. Its a me and D thing.
Baby Lead Weaning...haha. I dont know how to start with this one.
I guess basically, the notion of purees for your baby developed because parents fed them before they were ready. Before they have the notion/instinct to chew or swallow. If your baby isnt telling you they want solids, why on earth would you push it on them? I waited for Declan to let me know he was ready. If your baby is satisfied with breast milk or formula, why would you push anything else on them? I'm not as much of a stickler for this as, with the exception of a certain relative feeding her 2 month old watermelon, I dont see giving your child purees as detrimental to their well being. I think its a stage thats unnecessary if you pay attention to your babys indicators. Yes, I still stick certain things *that I've made* in the bullet if we are in a hurry...but other than that, if he takes 2 hours to eat his pieces of food, thats ok. Yes, I used up the ORGANIC purees in the cupboard~but seriously, have you tasted store bought baby food. Its disgusting for the most part and why would you feed your child something that you wouldnt eat? At least thats my logic. And why would you waste money on something you could make yourself that would taste better and be healthier. Or in the case of BLW, why would you waste time with making a puree when, with proper supervision, your child can eat what you eat and learn from it. Declan gets to choose what and when things go in his mouth. He eats at his own pace and his entire meal is in his control. That is the one major thing that drives me crazy on this subject is watching parents literally "shovel" food into their childs mouth without giving them a proper chance to swallow or explore whats gone into their mouths. And then they wonder why half their childs food ends up on their face and clothes~I dont have a "spitting out" problem with my little and I really do believe its because hes in control of his intake....not to mention, he eats more variety than any other baby I know, partly due to the fact, IMO, that he tastes the food, not the mix.
Another thing that I have soapbox for is CARSEAT SAFETY-yes, I am an extended rear-facing mom. My child will be rear-facing till kindergarten if I can help it :) Its beyond me that some moms still flip at a year/20lbs(or less)...and it scares me when I see loose straps or low clips.... Its one thing that I do occasionally find myself saying things out loud about. Of all things to not be informed about, carseats should be something that is shoved down parents throats. I've corrected the use of snowsuits in carseats. I've shown videos to show the parent WHY they couldnt continue what they were doing. But you know what, she still gave me excuses as to why she had to do what she was doing with her child. Even after seeing that he could be flying out of his carseat in an accident because he wasnt strapped in properly~she argued with me. Gave the excuse that he had to be "flipped" so he could see out the window...seriously. I just had to walk away shaking my head and praying that she never has to learn the hard way that safety is not negotiable, optional or open to interpretation.
But on to my title.
The term crisp to me is that middle ground. I hated labeling myself as crunchy because I'm not that crunchy~in-your-face-holier-than-thou mom or the mainstream-latest-gadget-competitive-do-it-all mom. There are a few natural parenting items that I've discovered that, after learning about them, I enjoy. But I'm just not on either side of that fence quite yet...maybe one day....
I want to raise my son to be a good person. I think he needs structure, not a schedule. Consistency and examples, not rules and brainwashing. I dont know if that all makes sense or not. I really despise the competition, excuses and black/white that comes with being a parent.
I try to do whats best for my baby and be the freshest, most informed mom I can be. I think part of the responsibility of being a parent is doing the research. Not relying on others to get information for you. I do what I think is best for my life, not what everyone around me is doing.
Being a "Crisp" mom has made me a go-to for info for a lot of the other new moms in my life~and yet I feel inadequate as a mother in so many ways~which is why I absorb as much information as I can find. I find it strange that people are so accepting of "how its done" where they are that they never feel the need to find out for themselves. Especially when it comes to shaping another human being. I mean, dont get me wrong, I thrive on parenting advice from the ladies in my family. But in listening to their experiences, I also seek out as many other moms stories as I can so that I can find what will work best for myself and my son. I mean, seriously, am I the only one with an internet connection and a chapters card these days?
I guess "Crisp" to me is keeping my mind fresh and open to all the options that living has to offer.
Truth be told, I was terrified at the idea of helping to shape another human being...so I seek out all the options out there to find what works. Thats not to say that other options dont work...but they dont work for us.
When I think of "Crisp", I think of the first day of school. Waiting at the end of the driveway for the school bus in the morning. Birds singing....sun rising....grass tips frosted....fall air....rainbow leaves crunching between my shoes and the gravel....And being so excited and nervous at what was to come.
Just that ultra awareness of life and how it affects you and vice versa....right?
I kind of feel as though I began to get off course there...I just dont know how to explain it better than that...
Well, heres my little sticking his tongue out at me last night. <3
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