I've become very disheartened and saddened recently by the mothering community. Every time I turn around some one is bad mouthing some one else for their choices as a mother because what they choose to do is different. Friendships are being dissolved over different opinions on co-sleeping or breast feeding. Mothers at each others throats for the mer fact that one chooses to let a baby cry to sleep while the other choose to not too. It seems that we have all forgotten that we are all in this journey of motherhood together.
There is no set guidelines telling us as mothers that we must parent our children a certain way. When we have our children they don't come with instruction manuals. We as mothers rely on our own instincts to raise our children and not every mother will have the same. For one mom her instinct may be nurse a baby every time it cries while another mothers instinct tells her to sooth the crying in other ways. Some mothers choose to breast feed until their children are toddlers others choose not to. some believe in letting the child wean them selves from breast or bottle while others help the weaning along. We choose different paths as mothers because we are different and what works for one might not work well for the other.
To often we condemn each other for our choices as mothers with out really looking at the situations of others. Just because a mother doesn't breast feed her baby doesn't necessarily mean she didn't want too. In some cases that is what happens but it's her right as that childs parent to make the decisions she feels are best for both the child and for her. In other cases there are underlying issues that have happened to cause breast feeding to be impossible. Either way it is wrong and judgmental of any one to condemn a mother for her choice as a parent. Her choice is not your own and doesn't effect your parenting so why fight over it.
It seems like we become so blinded by trying to do the best thing for our own children that we start becoming snobbish towards women who mother differently. We wonder why people don't want to hear our opinions on cloth diapering, co-sleeping or breast feeding. Would you want to listen to some one talk if all they did was ridicule the way you parent and act as though they are so much better than you? Our intentions maybe right but our means of doing so come across as harsh accusations.
Mothering is hard enough with out the judgments of others. We need each other for support and friendship. Even if we don't agree with differences of opinions doesn't mean that we can't support a mother just for being a mother. We all have at least one common goal and that's to raise the best children that we can and to watch them grow into the adults they are meant to be, disposable using or cloth wearing, crib sleeping or co-sleeping, bottle feeding or breast feeding, we all try to raise our babies the best we know how so they can be the best that they can be.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Super easy homemade deodorant
Seriously it is super easy! I started thinking about going more natural with the products I'm using on my body and my kids as well and be a little more frugal. I was kinda scared that the deodorant would be to hard to make or just wouldn't work then I ran across a super easy recipe that the author swore by! So I thought I'd give it a try!
Todays my first day wearing and I'm fairly impressed! I am a sweater....shhhh don't tell anyone....I mean any kind of hot will make me sweat at some point so I was worried that this stuff would come off and I'd be stinky. Now I'm not saying I didn't sweat cause I did but I didn't get stinky!
So here is what you will need to make it -
5-6 tablespoons of coconut oil
1/4 cup of baking soda
1/4 cup of corn starch
A bowl
A spoon
That's it :) seriously easy!
Add the baking soda and corn starch in the bowl and mix it together. Slowly add the coconut oil into the baking soda and corn starch. I added it one tablespoon at a time mixing it in well. Repeat that and stir and mash it in well. When your done your mixture should be the consistency of store bought deodorant. You can either scoop it into an old deodorant container or use a small rubber maid container. I used a small container.
You don't need a lot of it either. I get a small dab on my finger and rub it on. Now it will be a little grainy feeling but after you get it on you really don't feel it any more. If you have some left on your finger you can use it as lotion...gross, not really lol, I have done it today and my hands actually feel a little smoother. I just rub it in and what grainy stuff is left I wipe off with a towel.
This should last for about 3 months with 2 people using it :)
Todays my first day wearing and I'm fairly impressed! I am a sweater....shhhh don't tell anyone....I mean any kind of hot will make me sweat at some point so I was worried that this stuff would come off and I'd be stinky. Now I'm not saying I didn't sweat cause I did but I didn't get stinky!
So here is what you will need to make it -
5-6 tablespoons of coconut oil
1/4 cup of baking soda
1/4 cup of corn starch
A bowl
A spoon
That's it :) seriously easy!
Add the baking soda and corn starch in the bowl and mix it together. Slowly add the coconut oil into the baking soda and corn starch. I added it one tablespoon at a time mixing it in well. Repeat that and stir and mash it in well. When your done your mixture should be the consistency of store bought deodorant. You can either scoop it into an old deodorant container or use a small rubber maid container. I used a small container.
You don't need a lot of it either. I get a small dab on my finger and rub it on. Now it will be a little grainy feeling but after you get it on you really don't feel it any more. If you have some left on your finger you can use it as lotion...gross, not really lol, I have done it today and my hands actually feel a little smoother. I just rub it in and what grainy stuff is left I wipe off with a towel.
This should last for about 3 months with 2 people using it :)
For Mom's Everywhere :)
"A man came home from work and found his three children outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the front yard. The door of his wife's car was open, as was the front door to the house and there was no sign of the dog. Proceeding into the entry, he found an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over, and the throw rug was wadded against one wall. In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a Cartoon channel, and the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing. In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog food was spilled on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door. He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife. He was worried she might be ill, or that something serious had happened. He was met with a small trickle of water as it made its way out the bathroom door. As he peered inside he found wet towels, scummy soap and more toys strewn over the floor. Miles of toilet paper lay in a heap and toothpaste had been smeared over the mirror and walls. As he rushed to the bedroom, he found his wife still curled up in the bed in her pajamas, reading a novel. She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went. He looked at her bewildered and asked, 'What happened here today?' She again smiled and answered, 'You know every day when you come home from work and you ask me what in the world do I do all day?' 'Yes,' was his incredulous reply. She answered, 'Well, today I didn't do it."
I read the above passage today and it defiantly put a little smile on my face so I thought I would share! I'm sure most of us would love, and possible even have done the same thing before!
I read the above passage today and it defiantly put a little smile on my face so I thought I would share! I'm sure most of us would love, and possible even have done the same thing before!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Prairie wifing it .... sort of
I've decided to becoming a "prairie" wife of sorts. Now I'm not talking all out, no power, no tv, no air conditioner. I'm not that insane...just slightly nuts ;). I've made this choice to cut back a little more on the power we use and to be a little more green. There's just something about hand washing and line drying that makes you feel good...really good, like you're actually doing something that could save the planet while your taking care of your family.
Today was my first day in my "prairie" wife adventures. It's been an interesting day, I've learned a bit today that I plan to you use as I go along my journey. I plan to do this for at least a month so I can get a good idea of how much we'll actual save and to also see how hard it really is to do with 4 kids running around! I love a good challenge :)
Here's how today went! I got 2 loads of laundry done. Yes that rights only 2 but here is why. It's very important that your clothes and/or diapers get wrung out probably or they will seriously take ALL DAY to dry! Hand wringing is not the best way to get this done and today I was hand wringing! To get enough water our for them to dry fast you either need some super human arm strength, a old school hand wringer or the spin cycle of a washing machine! Now all I have is my hands and the spin cycle on my washer, which has nothing prairie like going on for it but I'm going to use it! If you can afford a wringer then by all means hop on that, but they are very expensive and until I can afford one spin cycle it is.
A wash board would probably be a good idea as well but it's not totally necessary. Either way you're going to be working your arms out. A wash board probably makes it a little easier to get stains off. Hand washing it's slightly more difficult but you can use stain removers and if your doing whites toss in some bleach. Also you can rub the stained spot on another portion of clothing or use a scrub brush.
I washed mine by filling up the bath tub with water (hot or cold depending on what was needed) and added soap to the water. It's important to make sure that you get the soap mixed in well with the water. The I added the clothes and got them all under the water and swirled around a bit then I kneaded then like you do bread dough. On a small load it takes about 5 minutes of kneeding the clothes, a large load takes about 10. Then I drain the water then refill it and swish and kneed again to rinse the clothes off. If there seems to be a lot of soap or even some remaining dirt in the water I would do the "rinse cycle" again. I then hand wrung the clothing out and then hung them out to dry.
It wasn't that bad besides trying to wring and dry the clothes. So there for the spin cycle I'll be using. I know, I know, it's not as green or money saving but it's better than using the washer to do it all!
So if you feel like hoping on the crazy train with me feel free or just keep on eye on this blog to see how the ride is going :)
Today was my first day in my "prairie" wife adventures. It's been an interesting day, I've learned a bit today that I plan to you use as I go along my journey. I plan to do this for at least a month so I can get a good idea of how much we'll actual save and to also see how hard it really is to do with 4 kids running around! I love a good challenge :)
Here's how today went! I got 2 loads of laundry done. Yes that rights only 2 but here is why. It's very important that your clothes and/or diapers get wrung out probably or they will seriously take ALL DAY to dry! Hand wringing is not the best way to get this done and today I was hand wringing! To get enough water our for them to dry fast you either need some super human arm strength, a old school hand wringer or the spin cycle of a washing machine! Now all I have is my hands and the spin cycle on my washer, which has nothing prairie like going on for it but I'm going to use it! If you can afford a wringer then by all means hop on that, but they are very expensive and until I can afford one spin cycle it is.
A wash board would probably be a good idea as well but it's not totally necessary. Either way you're going to be working your arms out. A wash board probably makes it a little easier to get stains off. Hand washing it's slightly more difficult but you can use stain removers and if your doing whites toss in some bleach. Also you can rub the stained spot on another portion of clothing or use a scrub brush.
I washed mine by filling up the bath tub with water (hot or cold depending on what was needed) and added soap to the water. It's important to make sure that you get the soap mixed in well with the water. The I added the clothes and got them all under the water and swirled around a bit then I kneaded then like you do bread dough. On a small load it takes about 5 minutes of kneeding the clothes, a large load takes about 10. Then I drain the water then refill it and swish and kneed again to rinse the clothes off. If there seems to be a lot of soap or even some remaining dirt in the water I would do the "rinse cycle" again. I then hand wrung the clothing out and then hung them out to dry.
It wasn't that bad besides trying to wring and dry the clothes. So there for the spin cycle I'll be using. I know, I know, it's not as green or money saving but it's better than using the washer to do it all!
So if you feel like hoping on the crazy train with me feel free or just keep on eye on this blog to see how the ride is going :)
Saturday, May 28, 2011
washing mama cloth.....it's easy peezy lemon squeezy :)
It's fairly easy to care for your mama pads. I'm sure everyone has a different was of doing it, just like we all have our own way of washing our diapers or even our laundry. So I'm going to tell you how I do it and I'm sure you'll find your own washing groove :)
After I use a mama pad, I take it rinse it out as much as I can. Kinda like you would a poo diaper but your just rinsing off and out blood. I try to make sure there's very little left, which maybe the reason I have no stains on my white minky topped ones.
After I rinse them out I put them in an old wipe container and soak them, might be a little redundant being that I do rinse them out but oh well I soak them too. Every time I change into a new pad and place an old one in the wipe container I change the water and add a drop or 2 of tea tree oil.
I wash my pads every day, I only have 5 at the moment so I kind of have too. I think a decent amount of mama cloth to keep your self from washing every day would be about 15 pads. That would leave you doing pads every 2 days. When it's time to wash my pads I do a quick cold rinse then I do a warm/HOT wash with about a tbs of Eco Sprout(same detergent I use on my diapers) then I do a quick rinse again. If I have diapers that need to be washed at the same time I simply throw the pads in with the diapers and wash them with the diapers.
Super simple and nothing overly complex. You don't have to soak or rinse your out you can simple toss them in a wet bag until wash day. I'm a little anal about the pads I guess lol
Mama cloth seems so scary when you're looking into it, just like cloth diapers when you first start looking into those but they are honestly very easy to use and makes for a much better (and I dare say) enjoyable period!
After I use a mama pad, I take it rinse it out as much as I can. Kinda like you would a poo diaper but your just rinsing off and out blood. I try to make sure there's very little left, which maybe the reason I have no stains on my white minky topped ones.
After I rinse them out I put them in an old wipe container and soak them, might be a little redundant being that I do rinse them out but oh well I soak them too. Every time I change into a new pad and place an old one in the wipe container I change the water and add a drop or 2 of tea tree oil.
I wash my pads every day, I only have 5 at the moment so I kind of have too. I think a decent amount of mama cloth to keep your self from washing every day would be about 15 pads. That would leave you doing pads every 2 days. When it's time to wash my pads I do a quick cold rinse then I do a warm/HOT wash with about a tbs of Eco Sprout(same detergent I use on my diapers) then I do a quick rinse again. If I have diapers that need to be washed at the same time I simply throw the pads in with the diapers and wash them with the diapers.
Super simple and nothing overly complex. You don't have to soak or rinse your out you can simple toss them in a wet bag until wash day. I'm a little anal about the pads I guess lol
Mama cloth seems so scary when you're looking into it, just like cloth diapers when you first start looking into those but they are honestly very easy to use and makes for a much better (and I dare say) enjoyable period!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Mama Cloth.....I am totally converted!
Recently I made my very first purchase of mama cloth and I must say that I was very nervous at first. I was taking something that I had been use to for 15+ years and changing it. I was apprehensive, would it leak? would it stand up to my heaviest flow days? Would I have to get up 2 or 3 times at night just to change my pad? Would my sheets and matters be blood splattered in the morning? These are all question that we have asked our selves when we think about switching to mama cloth. I found my answer and couldn't be happier!!
I made my purchase from Cotton Cheeks and got the best costumer services. Maria was very helpful with every thing! She explained the workings of the pads for me and even gave me very detailed instructions on how to clean them. I was so pleasantly surprised that I would have gone back for another purchase just because of the customer services.
Then my beautiful (yes I did just call a menstrual pad beautiful!) mama cloth arrived! They are topped with minky which makes them so soft......don't tell any one but I actually rubbed one on my face! It was brand new at the time so don't get all grossed out on me =) Shortly after receiving them I got the chance to try them out.....now normally I get all "GREAT *insert eye roll here* my stupid period is here" like I am sure we all have at times. However this time was different! I was actually excited (yes I know.... "cant be" right? Well it's true!) I rushed and grabbed my oh so beautiful minky top pads and snapped one on and WOW it felt like heaven! I could barely feel the pad there! It was so incredibly soft! Ya'll know how the disposable pads feel, all paper like and scratchy....BLAH! Well not Cotton cheeks mama cloth! I could hardly believe that something I was going to use for my period could actually be that enjoyable..... I know another word we don't associate with our periods but again IT'S TRUE!!
My first day was a breeze! So much easier than I thought it would be! The major plus side is there were no leaks!! cotton cheeks gives you the option of adding PUL backing to your mama cloth but I choose not too and even with out the PUL I could go for 2 to 3 hours with out leaks!
My first night came and I slept like a baby, as much as a mother of 4 can sleep like a baby. Woke in the morning and guess what...... NO LEAKS!!! Woot woot!!!! Before mama cloth I would wake up at night and have a very soaked pad and have to change it. Just nasty nasty!
Now I know you all have heard that when you use mama cloth you cramp less and I am pretty sure that most of you are thinking that is a load of crock cause I sure did but ...... my cramps were far less than they have ever been while using disposable pads!! I had very slight cramping and then nothing! It was amazing!! My period after my last baby was all crazy it would come and go and come back and stay around for a week. Not fun!! Well I put my mama cloth on and expected to have the same thing happen and it didn't! My period lasted for 3 days and was gone! It never showed it's self again!
Disposable pads have this gawd awful way off folding over and getting stuck to it's self or your leg or your hair and you have to rip it off. You know it hurts to have to rip that stuff off your leg! Not to mention that they can make you so ITCHY!!! I dont know about ya'll but I would get really itchy and almost sore, kinda like having a bad reaction to the pads ( which now that I think about it probably was......)With mama cloth you do not have those problems! You dont get uber itchy or have you pad stick to your butt crack ( you know it happens lol )
Cotton Cheeks has snapped wings to hold the pad in place, as do most other places. The bottom part that lays on the underwear is a beautiful pattern giving you mama cloth a "personality". You seriously cant go wrong with mama cloth.
Now every one told me not to put all my "eggs in one basket" but I am so pleased with Cotton Cheeks that I will be staying with her and buying more from her. Why mess with a good thing right! I totally recommend that you guys go check her out! If she doesn't have what you are looking for email her and she is more than willing to work with you to get you what patterns and colors you. You will not be displeased with her product or her customer services! Cotton Cheeks is a business that truly is the whole package!
If you would like to check her out you can see her on facebook and also her hyena cart
Homespun Lullabies Grand opening and Giveaway
******* CLOSED******* OUR WINNER IS STACY P!!! CONGRATS! You have 48 hours to contact Homespun Lullabies.
I have the very great honor and pleasure to introduce everyone to the brand new WAHM shop Homespun Lullabies. I've had the pleasure of watching her store be brought to life and I couldn't be happier! She has an amazing talent and is now sharing it with the world! She pours love and care into every product she makes and it defiantly shows!
I have the very great honor and pleasure to introduce everyone to the brand new WAHM shop Homespun Lullabies. I've had the pleasure of watching her store be brought to life and I couldn't be happier! She has an amazing talent and is now sharing it with the world! She pours love and care into every product she makes and it defiantly shows!
Her store has some beautiful baby items that you are not going to want to miss out on! Her current items in stock are
- blankets and swaddling blanket sets
- sets of assorted swaddling blankets
- flannel and bubble velour burp cloths
- 10 packs of flannel wipes (girl or boy)
- custom items upon request
You may purchase any of her beautiful items here! You can also stick around for your chance to win!!
GIVEAWAY
Assorted flannel girl wipes
In honor of the grand opening of Homespun Lullabies we are having a GIVEAWAY!!!!!!! In this giveaway you will have the chance to win a 10 pack of assorted flannel cloth wipes in either boy or girl (as shown above and below) !!!!
assorted flannel boy wipes
.
This giveaway will run from today (5/26) to next Thursday (6/2). The winner will be drawn via random.org and will be responsible for contacting Homespun Lullabies with in 48 hours or another winner will be drawn!
How to enter!!
Mandatory
Go to facebook and "like" Homespun Lullabies (please thank her for the giveaway and congratulate her on her grand opening) then fill out this Entry Form. (note. some of the rules have changed. Please make sure you are aware. All entried to this point will be honored by the previous rules.)
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