It would be so easy to just blend in, to be anonymous, to fade into the world without a care.
Sometimes I wonder what life would be like to just happily bounce around. You could wake up each day and say,"Eat drink, and be merry, what happens...happens."
But, you can't be anonymous in this life. When you believe in things, things that you know are truth, then life is a constant effort.
You have to wake up each day and stay focused, teach your children, be consistent, find solutions, defend yourself, look further, search more, study more, pray more, and continue on a path of belief that seems bigger than you are.
But, I wouldn't have it any other way.
At the end of each day there is purpose, and peace.
You can't have that if you just blend in.
Showing posts with label opinion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label opinion. Show all posts
Excited for Recycling
I learned a sad fact last Earth Day, which was, that only 30% of Utahns recycle their unwanted waste. This number has haunted me terribly, considering there are 2,736,424 Utahns living in Utah, all consuming, using, and disposing of waste each day!(July 2009 census)
Utah is one of the most`beautiful, most natural, States in the U.S., yet there are people taking advantage of this beauty, and not thinking of the effects their trash has on the world. It doesn't seem right. It seems like you should need a special permit saying, "I RECYCLE," in order to go skiing in the mountains, hiking in the forests, or boating on the lakes. I cringe when I go upstairs to throw out my garbage, only to find my neighbors have filled the trash can with plastic bottles and cardboard boxes. I wish that they knew how simple and effective it would be to just recycle.
To make recycling even easier, a big recycling plant, called Pure Recycling, just re-opened here in Cedar City! They had a grand opening party, with free food and music. But the greatest part was touring the recycle plant. Just seeing the great, big machines, and piles of bottles and cans, made my heart happy!
Inside the recycle plant here in Cedar City.
Some more bottles to recycle!
Dancing and grooving to some live music.
Micah gave Z a tour of the plant. Recycling is something that we will teach our children, is a normal part of life.
Recycling is much like getting the chance to birth something new and beautiful in the world. It's definitely something to get excited about. This pile of junk really struck me as we were walking out. All this stuff is going to be sorted and turned into something new. Now imagine this junk in our landfills instead; seeping into our rivers and oceans, polluting our soils, and turning this beautiful world into a giant junk pile itself. That's not what I want, do you?
Party?
I am finally figuring it out here in Utah land. If someone invites you to a party, you have to make sure you know what kind it is first, before you accept. I know, I know, it sounds silly, because who doesn't want to go to a party?
But for the 10th time this year I got invited to a party, got all flattered they would be so kind, accepted the invite........then realized it was really a business party. As you walk in the door they hand you a catalog, and hope you brought your checkbook. It could be for books, tupperware, cooking supplies, scrapbooking, clothing, make-up, or board games. You name it, someone in your neighborhood is selling it, and calling it a party.
What sort of madness is this???? I have to admit I wanted to cry. Doesn't anyone want to have a party, just because? And then they could call it a party and really mean it? And then they could invite me because they just really like me?
I'm all for people making an extra income, but maybe they should call it something else as to not confuse the little people.
But for the 10th time this year I got invited to a party, got all flattered they would be so kind, accepted the invite........then realized it was really a business party. As you walk in the door they hand you a catalog, and hope you brought your checkbook. It could be for books, tupperware, cooking supplies, scrapbooking, clothing, make-up, or board games. You name it, someone in your neighborhood is selling it, and calling it a party.
What sort of madness is this???? I have to admit I wanted to cry. Doesn't anyone want to have a party, just because? And then they could call it a party and really mean it? And then they could invite me because they just really like me?
I'm all for people making an extra income, but maybe they should call it something else as to not confuse the little people.
Little Rewards
How do you treat yourself? All work and no play can make you dull, or however the saying goes. I think it most likely will just suck the sanity right out of you.
So, it's probably important to fill your cup with little rewards once in a while, after all the hard work you do.
And I'm not only talking about the work of children-rearing, I'm talking about anyone who doesn't sit idly around doing who knows what all day, but whom otherwise spends their time growing, learning, changing, and affecting others for the good. I like to imagine this is the majority of our happy, busy world, but then I think of this little grocery market in HI, where extremely idle people sit outside all day doing nothing. If ever I am feeling guilty for needing a break from reality, I think of this little market, and feel like maybe I'm doing some good.
So taking little breaks is good. Fill your cup, reward yourself. Stop reading so much information, stop planning so much, stop organizing so much. Perhaps I should dedicate the rest of my summer to eating my favorite foods, and watching all the movies I've missed, on DVD. Anyone care to join me?
So tonight after the kids go to sleep, I am watching the chick flick (He's just not that into you) I rented, and eating avocados with salt on them, and my fav honey pudding.
Cheers to the little rewards that keep us sane. :)
Maybe tomorrow I'll shave my legs. woot woot!
My Funky town
I like funky, little towns. You know the kind that are full of progression, innovation, and creativity. I like little, funky towns where people collaborate, and support one another in environmental, political, and social change. People in these towns tend to be politically strongly left-leaning and may be additionally but not exclusively categorized as eco-tarians, conservationists, environmentalists, neo-hippies, tree huggers, nature enthusiasts, etc.
I find myself drawn to these types of places, especially when there's a movement for positive change, (in a community that may be on the verge of suffering from cowboy-ism or Walmart-ism,) there are people there who see the potential for a different and better way of being.
There is a huge draw for us to move to Oregon and be a part of this movement, because there are more like-minded folks to collaborate with. While visiting Eugene I was impressed to see a community (not the entire community, but their is definitely a majority here) of folks dedicated to self sustainable living, recycling and re-using, businesses with ethical, eco-friendly practices, programs for kids that raise awareness about political and environmental issues, a whole "green" phone book for folks who want safer choices, and farmers markets galore. A big one for me also, is seeing parents who don't look at you funny when you talk about parenting practices such as:
extended breastfeeding (beyond a year)
cloth diapers
homeschooling
drug-free births
baby wearing
selective vaccination
co-sleeping or family beds
full-time parenting
Eating whole foods
Things of which I feel strongly and passionately about.
Coming back to my little, Utah town, was a culture change, of course. However, I wasn't discouraged. I came back very enthusiastic to give as much to my community as possible, in hopes of future change. I came back wanting to support the little movements happening here, and encourage others to be more aware, and more conscious of
progression in our little world.
On a side note, I don't think you need to be categorized as anything to make our world a better place. Don't let that awful term "crunchy" deter you from making happy choices for your family. :) Be a part of the little movements in your town, and hopefully we will all see a gentle, more peaceful world ahead. Oh, and funky! (I just like that word.)
With my sister, at a local farmers market, Eugene, OR
I find myself drawn to these types of places, especially when there's a movement for positive change, (in a community that may be on the verge of suffering from cowboy-ism or Walmart-ism,) there are people there who see the potential for a different and better way of being.
There is a huge draw for us to move to Oregon and be a part of this movement, because there are more like-minded folks to collaborate with. While visiting Eugene I was impressed to see a community (not the entire community, but their is definitely a majority here) of folks dedicated to self sustainable living, recycling and re-using, businesses with ethical, eco-friendly practices, programs for kids that raise awareness about political and environmental issues, a whole "green" phone book for folks who want safer choices, and farmers markets galore. A big one for me also, is seeing parents who don't look at you funny when you talk about parenting practices such as:
extended breastfeeding (beyond a year)
cloth diapers
homeschooling
drug-free births
baby wearing
selective vaccination
co-sleeping or family beds
full-time parenting
Eating whole foods
Things of which I feel strongly and passionately about.
Coming back to my little, Utah town, was a culture change, of course. However, I wasn't discouraged. I came back very enthusiastic to give as much to my community as possible, in hopes of future change. I came back wanting to support the little movements happening here, and encourage others to be more aware, and more conscious of
progression in our little world.
On a side note, I don't think you need to be categorized as anything to make our world a better place. Don't let that awful term "crunchy" deter you from making happy choices for your family. :) Be a part of the little movements in your town, and hopefully we will all see a gentle, more peaceful world ahead. Oh, and funky! (I just like that word.)
With my sister, at a local farmers market, Eugene, OR
Laundry is Life
I've come to the conclusion that everyone does their laundry different. It's one of those things you don't really think about, but it's true.
For instance, some people really love fresh-out-of-the-dryer sheets, others prefer line dry. Some people use fabric softener and dryer sheets,some people don't know what those are. Some people add aromatherapy oils to every load, some people buy fancy detergents, some people make their own detergent. Some people get their laundry done
for them, some people leave heaps of laundry on the floor for days, until they decide it's time to wash. Some people love doing laundry, some people hate doing laundry.
This post is about my laundry. The way I do laundry reflects some personal opinions, and other things are just plain preferences...the way I like to do them, just because.
First of all, I have one laundry basket. Once that laundry basket fills up, it's time to wash laundry. That happens every 3-4 days.
Second of all, I separate my lights and darks, and dirty dish rags.
(Cloth diapers are on their own cycle. Once my cloth diaper bucket fills up, I wash them usually every 2-3 days.)
We make our own detergent using mild ingredients you can find at most stores.
Homemade Laundry Detergent
1 cup powdered PUREX bleach
1 cup Borax
1 cup plain baking Soda
1 cup finely grated detergent-free soap
(like Zote or home-made soap, or anything without a lot of perfumes)
Mix it all together in a tub. You can double or triple the recipe to make a big batch. I triple it and it lasts me 2-3 months.
2 tablespoons of detergent per each Large load of laundry.
So what are the benefits of making it yourself?
Clean clothes, no soap residue, hypo-allergenic, low-cost, great for cloth diapers because no soap build up.
Okay, back to doing laundry.
In the cold, wintry months I have no choice but to use a dryer. There's nothing nicer than warm towels to roll in, on the living room floor. However, once the sun starts shining mid-Spring, I use a clothes line. I love the smell of sun-dried clothing.
And here's another thing I love: Hanging clothes. I love to stand there with my big basket of laundry and hang them up, one by one. There's something therapeutic about it that relaxes me.
I am also kind of particular about how to hang up my clothes. Each clothing item needs to be folded over the line in the middle, and each item gets it's own clothespin. Don't ask me why. I guess it's just my way.
Since we live downstairs and our only access to the backyard is all the way up the stairs and thru the back gates, I got myself a laundry backpack! Check out this gem of a find! My very own laundry back-pack!
I also really like to have a cute and functional baggy to keep all my clothespins in.
I was going to sew something, then thought of using overalls. I turned these little overalls inside out, sewed the legs shut, the turned it back in, and cut off the extra fabric. Voila! Clothespin holder extraordinaire!
I like doing laundry, I really do. It's not the worst chore out there for me. In fact, it can be enjoyable if you make it more than just a chore, but a way of life.
(I thought I should add, however, that I absolutely hate folding it and putting it away, unless I can watch Conan O'Brian while I do it. Then it's doable)
For instance, some people really love fresh-out-of-the-dryer sheets, others prefer line dry. Some people use fabric softener and dryer sheets,some people don't know what those are. Some people add aromatherapy oils to every load, some people buy fancy detergents, some people make their own detergent. Some people get their laundry done
for them, some people leave heaps of laundry on the floor for days, until they decide it's time to wash. Some people love doing laundry, some people hate doing laundry.
This post is about my laundry. The way I do laundry reflects some personal opinions, and other things are just plain preferences...the way I like to do them, just because.
First of all, I have one laundry basket. Once that laundry basket fills up, it's time to wash laundry. That happens every 3-4 days.
Second of all, I separate my lights and darks, and dirty dish rags.
(Cloth diapers are on their own cycle. Once my cloth diaper bucket fills up, I wash them usually every 2-3 days.)
We make our own detergent using mild ingredients you can find at most stores.
Homemade Laundry Detergent
1 cup powdered PUREX bleach
1 cup Borax
1 cup plain baking Soda
1 cup finely grated detergent-free soap
(like Zote or home-made soap, or anything without a lot of perfumes)
Mix it all together in a tub. You can double or triple the recipe to make a big batch. I triple it and it lasts me 2-3 months.
2 tablespoons of detergent per each Large load of laundry.
So what are the benefits of making it yourself?
Clean clothes, no soap residue, hypo-allergenic, low-cost, great for cloth diapers because no soap build up.
Okay, back to doing laundry.
In the cold, wintry months I have no choice but to use a dryer. There's nothing nicer than warm towels to roll in, on the living room floor. However, once the sun starts shining mid-Spring, I use a clothes line. I love the smell of sun-dried clothing.
And here's another thing I love: Hanging clothes. I love to stand there with my big basket of laundry and hang them up, one by one. There's something therapeutic about it that relaxes me.
I am also kind of particular about how to hang up my clothes. Each clothing item needs to be folded over the line in the middle, and each item gets it's own clothespin. Don't ask me why. I guess it's just my way.
Since we live downstairs and our only access to the backyard is all the way up the stairs and thru the back gates, I got myself a laundry backpack! Check out this gem of a find! My very own laundry back-pack!
I also really like to have a cute and functional baggy to keep all my clothespins in.
I was going to sew something, then thought of using overalls. I turned these little overalls inside out, sewed the legs shut, the turned it back in, and cut off the extra fabric. Voila! Clothespin holder extraordinaire!
I like doing laundry, I really do. It's not the worst chore out there for me. In fact, it can be enjoyable if you make it more than just a chore, but a way of life.
(I thought I should add, however, that I absolutely hate folding it and putting it away, unless I can watch Conan O'Brian while I do it. Then it's doable)
Anatomically correct
We've always called our body parts by the correct name. It just seems purely logical to do it. Elbow, thigh, head, ears, ankle, penis, knee-cap, vagina...... They are all anatomically correct terms for parts whose functions we use every day.
This past weekend a child therapist specializing in sexual abuse treatment, came to our church meetinghouse. She further validated our use of correct terminology,, as well as opened our eyes to some other important issues.
She gave a special lecture on how to prevent sexual abuse from happening in the lives of our children. It's a "sick societal disease", she stated, "where people think it's okay to touch the private parts of children, and not think about the lasting, damaging effects."
Children who have been abused in some way will often spend a lifetime in self loathing, self degradation, spiritual darkness, and may even become perpetrators themselves. Thus a vicious cycle of victims and perpetrators is born. Children become confused, withdrawn, and unsure about themselves. If you have been a victim yourself, then you know of the darkness that comes with these feelings.
She gave some really good advice for parents. First one being, don't ever think your child is immune from being a possible victim of sexual abuse. It could happen anytime, anywhere, with anyone; even those you love and trust.
So what do we do?
We arm our children with the information they need to defend themselves.
So if they get themselves in a situation, they'll know exactly what to do.
Here's some high lites:
Talk to your children about how special their bodies are; that God made their bodies just for them.
Tell your children that nobody should ever touch their body parts (penis, vagina).
Talk to your children about strangers, and how talking to them is not okay, unless they are with a parent.
Make sure they know that if a stranger offers them toys or candy, walk away and tell a parent.
Talk to them in a relaxed and loving way, using anatomically correct terminology.
Never, ever use nicknames for our private parts. Why? When you think of all the nicknames people use, they all sound like toys or play things.
Never joke around or make fun of our private parts.
Talk about this stuff every 3-4 months. Once in a lifetime is NOT enough for children to remember what to do if they find themselves in this situation.
I was grateful for this lecture. It was good for me to remember that I always need to prepare my kids for a world of uncertainty.
Oh and most importantly, if you've been a victim of abuse, get therapy. It will change your life for the better.
This past weekend a child therapist specializing in sexual abuse treatment, came to our church meetinghouse. She further validated our use of correct terminology,, as well as opened our eyes to some other important issues.
She gave a special lecture on how to prevent sexual abuse from happening in the lives of our children. It's a "sick societal disease", she stated, "where people think it's okay to touch the private parts of children, and not think about the lasting, damaging effects."
Children who have been abused in some way will often spend a lifetime in self loathing, self degradation, spiritual darkness, and may even become perpetrators themselves. Thus a vicious cycle of victims and perpetrators is born. Children become confused, withdrawn, and unsure about themselves. If you have been a victim yourself, then you know of the darkness that comes with these feelings.
She gave some really good advice for parents. First one being, don't ever think your child is immune from being a possible victim of sexual abuse. It could happen anytime, anywhere, with anyone; even those you love and trust.
So what do we do?
We arm our children with the information they need to defend themselves.
So if they get themselves in a situation, they'll know exactly what to do.
Here's some high lites:
Talk to your children about how special their bodies are; that God made their bodies just for them.
Tell your children that nobody should ever touch their body parts (penis, vagina).
Talk to your children about strangers, and how talking to them is not okay, unless they are with a parent.
Make sure they know that if a stranger offers them toys or candy, walk away and tell a parent.
Talk to them in a relaxed and loving way, using anatomically correct terminology.
Never, ever use nicknames for our private parts. Why? When you think of all the nicknames people use, they all sound like toys or play things.
Never joke around or make fun of our private parts.
Talk about this stuff every 3-4 months. Once in a lifetime is NOT enough for children to remember what to do if they find themselves in this situation.
I was grateful for this lecture. It was good for me to remember that I always need to prepare my kids for a world of uncertainty.
Oh and most importantly, if you've been a victim of abuse, get therapy. It will change your life for the better.
get dirty
"WHAT THIS WORLD NEEDS IS DIRTIER FINGERNAILS AND CLEANER MINDS."
--Anonymous
This quote pops up in my head every time I'm outside getting muddy or pulling weeds. I always think, "wouldn't it be nice if all those perverts surfing porn on the internet could get up and go plant something?"
It's a small dream I have.
--Anonymous
This quote pops up in my head every time I'm outside getting muddy or pulling weeds. I always think, "wouldn't it be nice if all those perverts surfing porn on the internet could get up and go plant something?"
It's a small dream I have.
Go reusable!
As I was washing dishes last night I scowled at the pile of Ziplocs in the sink I had collected for washing. We reuse our Ziploc bags around here, not because it's fun and easy to do, but because it seems absolutely ludicrous to throw them away after one usage.
I have an argument in my head almost every time I wash them. My lazy, self-serving self says, "Don't bother washing those darn things! Just throw them away and buy some more tomorrow.... It will be that easy! They're not that expensive! C'mon Sally-you've got better things to do than wash food residue out of Ziploc baggies!"
Then my more conscious, self-aware, and globally responsible self pipes in, "Just wash it! It's not that hard! Your Mother Earth, your family, your very ethical being is depending on you to do your part here. Wash the baggie and be done with it!"
So I wash the dern baggie.
Then I think about my 98 year old Grandma Lois. She reused everything and nothing was wasted. As a general rule she lived for function not fashion, and her house was filled with boxes and boxes of reusable, recyclable materials that she used for projects, and crafts. She didn't grow up in this pop-the-top, throw away, disposable plastic generation, and I wonder how she would feel about it now. We have these great evil empires that produce mass amounts of cheap products, which we suddenly find so disposable. It's so easy for us nowadays to buy something like a plastic cup, have it break in a month or so, then say in our heads, "Oh well it was just a buck, I can go get another one."
But what about what's really happening? More natural resources are being used, more energy consumed, more toxins created, more money is spent, more space is filled, with useless junk that could've been avoided.
One of my biggest pet-peeves right now is this "Go Green" pooplah being thrown around. Yes, it is better to use paperless billing methods, recycle your cans and bottles, and be energy conscious, but does that mean we have to create "go green" plastic products, t-shirts, water bottles, and buttons to do it? Producing more to consume less doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. I really think the main focus should be re-use.
If big marketing companies want us to "Go Green" maybe they should supply information on how to reuse "disposable" Tupperware, old-t-shirts, cardboard containers, plastic toys, and the likes. Not keep mindlessly selling them to us.
I think that learning to reuse takes a huge shift in paradigm. I would start simply by saving recyclable materials. My friend at Still Parenting says she keeps a stash of reject materials she might use, in a box in her house. Her lovely home is filled with beautiful, reused crafts, and functional home decor, from seemingly useless materials she's saved. I really admire her resourcefulness, as well as her beautiful home.
Secondly, the next time you want to buy something, think about how you could make it first, or re-create it using what you already have.
This past week our 3 year old begged us for this plastic fishing toy that seemed harmless enough. Yet when Micah and I got thinking we figured it would either get ignored, or break, in less than a week, and we could make one like it at home. So we did. And it wasn't that hard. And it was more gratifying to cut, paint, and glue with my 3 year old, than bring home a cheap, plastic toy.
Lastly, go green! What does this mean to you? To me it means buying second-hand, reusing what we already have, and making beautiful things from scratch. And most importantly, not buying a cheap plastic product that says "Go Green"! Oh, and washing those Ziploc baggies with a smile on my face. :)
Cardboard fish made from reused cardboard box, toll paints, and paper clips.
Fishing! An apple tree stick, magnets, and string.
My closet reminded me of Grandma. Everything in her house was in a cardboard box, labeled with permanent marker. Everything. Even her socks.
I have an argument in my head almost every time I wash them. My lazy, self-serving self says, "Don't bother washing those darn things! Just throw them away and buy some more tomorrow.... It will be that easy! They're not that expensive! C'mon Sally-you've got better things to do than wash food residue out of Ziploc baggies!"
Then my more conscious, self-aware, and globally responsible self pipes in, "Just wash it! It's not that hard! Your Mother Earth, your family, your very ethical being is depending on you to do your part here. Wash the baggie and be done with it!"
So I wash the dern baggie.
Then I think about my 98 year old Grandma Lois. She reused everything and nothing was wasted. As a general rule she lived for function not fashion, and her house was filled with boxes and boxes of reusable, recyclable materials that she used for projects, and crafts. She didn't grow up in this pop-the-top, throw away, disposable plastic generation, and I wonder how she would feel about it now. We have these great evil empires that produce mass amounts of cheap products, which we suddenly find so disposable. It's so easy for us nowadays to buy something like a plastic cup, have it break in a month or so, then say in our heads, "Oh well it was just a buck, I can go get another one."
But what about what's really happening? More natural resources are being used, more energy consumed, more toxins created, more money is spent, more space is filled, with useless junk that could've been avoided.
One of my biggest pet-peeves right now is this "Go Green" pooplah being thrown around. Yes, it is better to use paperless billing methods, recycle your cans and bottles, and be energy conscious, but does that mean we have to create "go green" plastic products, t-shirts, water bottles, and buttons to do it? Producing more to consume less doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. I really think the main focus should be re-use.
If big marketing companies want us to "Go Green" maybe they should supply information on how to reuse "disposable" Tupperware, old-t-shirts, cardboard containers, plastic toys, and the likes. Not keep mindlessly selling them to us.
I think that learning to reuse takes a huge shift in paradigm. I would start simply by saving recyclable materials. My friend at Still Parenting says she keeps a stash of reject materials she might use, in a box in her house. Her lovely home is filled with beautiful, reused crafts, and functional home decor, from seemingly useless materials she's saved. I really admire her resourcefulness, as well as her beautiful home.
Secondly, the next time you want to buy something, think about how you could make it first, or re-create it using what you already have.
This past week our 3 year old begged us for this plastic fishing toy that seemed harmless enough. Yet when Micah and I got thinking we figured it would either get ignored, or break, in less than a week, and we could make one like it at home. So we did. And it wasn't that hard. And it was more gratifying to cut, paint, and glue with my 3 year old, than bring home a cheap, plastic toy.
Lastly, go green! What does this mean to you? To me it means buying second-hand, reusing what we already have, and making beautiful things from scratch. And most importantly, not buying a cheap plastic product that says "Go Green"! Oh, and washing those Ziploc baggies with a smile on my face. :)
Cardboard fish made from reused cardboard box, toll paints, and paper clips.
Fishing! An apple tree stick, magnets, and string.
My closet reminded me of Grandma. Everything in her house was in a cardboard box, labeled with permanent marker. Everything. Even her socks.
Colors are for everyone
A friend asked me today if we had issues with our boys liking "girl colors and things". Her son had received a pink Hello Kitty watch from a happy meal, and had been sporting it on his wrist all day. She was quite seriously trying to think of ways to steal it and throw it away before her husband got home!
So I sat there and thought about it. Hmmmmmmmmmmm....... I thought and thought and thought and thought.
I thought about our hot pink VW bus that my husband drives to work each week. I thought about our cabbage patch kids and how our son likes to carry them around in his baby sling. I thought about our stash of orange, and pink, and red cloth diapers. I thought about my husbands favorite fuchsia Mei-tai. I thought about the time we dressed up Zadok as a girl for Halloween because we didn't have a costume. I thought about the pink jump rope our son picked out at the toy store yesterday, and the pink electric guitar he picked out at the thrift store earlier this week.
I thought about how our boys love dancing to music, wrestling on the bed, outdoor adventures, laughing, painting, baking, playing in the mud, wearing costumes, and choosing for themselves what they like or don't like.
I thought about how pink is perfectly suitable as a man's dress shirt. What's up with that?
So I sat there and thought about it. Hmmmmmmmmmmm....... I thought and thought and thought and thought.
I thought about our hot pink VW bus that my husband drives to work each week. I thought about our cabbage patch kids and how our son likes to carry them around in his baby sling. I thought about our stash of orange, and pink, and red cloth diapers. I thought about my husbands favorite fuchsia Mei-tai. I thought about the time we dressed up Zadok as a girl for Halloween because we didn't have a costume. I thought about the pink jump rope our son picked out at the toy store yesterday, and the pink electric guitar he picked out at the thrift store earlier this week.
I thought about how our boys love dancing to music, wrestling on the bed, outdoor adventures, laughing, painting, baking, playing in the mud, wearing costumes, and choosing for themselves what they like or don't like.
I thought about how pink is perfectly suitable as a man's dress shirt. What's up with that?
Human Touch
Zadok holding his baby close.
A hug can change an entire day. At least for me. When my little Zadok comes running up to me with a hug, I am the happiest mom alive. When Micah gets home from 4 days at Redcliff all I want from him right away, is a big husband hug. I think as humans we need to feel the warmth of human touch. It gives a sense of love, security, and belonging, that can't be experienced through any other means.
After carrying a baby in your womb for 9 months and experiencing that closeness of human touch,(you can't get much closer than a baby inside you, right?) Well, I can't imagine not wanting to continue that closeness once they get out. Feeling the warmth of a brand new baby on your face or chest, or lying next to you in bed, is one of the sweetest memories I possess. The baby smell, the small inhales and exhales of breath, the tiny heartbeat.....it is a closeness that parents cherish. As a brand new little person coming into this world for the first time, I can't imagine wanting to be anywhere else but in the safety and security of my mother or father's arms. It's a loving, mutual exchange that both need to feel. The warmth of human touch.
Everywhere I go I see devices designed to separate babies from parents. Devices invented out of convenience and for a profit, not to bring about closeness and
interaction. One such device is the plastic car seat. Although a handy invention to keep babies safe while driving,or if your baby is sleeping and not to be disturbed, or if it's blizzarding outside and you have to protect their face from the rock hard hail and snow falling down. However, these contraptions have unfortunately become overused and abused.
For many people, carrying a baby in their arms just isn't an option anymore. I've seen babies fed, rocked, lugged around, and left alone, all in the confinement of their car seat. I've seen babies' alert and active, sitting in their car seat for the duration of a church meeting. I've seen babies left at the bottom of a shopping cart with stacks of groceries piled up around them.I've also seen parents limping along with difficulty as they carry this cumbersome load, sometimes for long durations. And all the while babies' little head is bouncing around as he stares blankly at the ceiling above.
At a recent parenting conference Dr. Robert Sears (renown pediatrician) said, "People are raising car seats these days, not babies." The whole room erupted with applause. I was grateful to look around and see other concerned parents like me. He also said the first thing he does when a baby is brought to his office is get it out of that car seat! Simply because it may be the only human interaction baby gets all day.
Babies need to be held, loved, cuddled, just like you and I. They need to see the world around them, which helps them learn and grow intellectually. They need to have human touch and interaction, which helps them grow emotionally.
We live in a busy world, lets not forget our sweet babies in the car seat.
A wonderful article to read about this subject: http://backpack-baby.com/mothering.aspx
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