2 posts in 2 days.... wooo!
Over the last several weeks, I've been thinking a lot about my blog post titled "Don't Prod the Prego". It really made me think about how mom's can have such a hard time finding somewhere safe and supportive to get advice, friendship or just a shoulder to lean on when having that inevitable bad day. Being a mom is the best job in the world, but it's also the hardest. No mom should feel alone or feel like she can't post on a community forum or even their own social networking site. Instead of being so divided, we need to be supportive of one another. We are raising the next generation afterall!
I decided to put these thoughts into action. I created a site with forums for mom's to post whatever they think. It's a place for no judgement- at all- and to seek advice and friendship from other mom's. This site is temporary, mostly because I want to make sure there is enough interest, but also because with this baby due in less then 2 weeks now, I'm not sure I'll have the time to dedicate to a larger site. Eventually, it will be something much larger (I have tons of ideas!) I just need to get past this stage in my life first and get into a routine as a family of 4 (really, 5).
The link to the site I set up today is www.proudmommy.forumotion.com
Please become a member and spread the word!
Friday, September 21, 2012
Thursday, September 20, 2012
One Uncomfortable Mama
I know I haven't posted recently, mostly because I feel absolutely miserable and have nothing positive to write about! lol
I forgot the feeling of being sick of pregnancy, and I forgot how irritable/impatient I get with it all. My poor Stu and Gage. And the dog seems to get the worst of it. I think all 3 have learned to just stay out of the same room I'm in.
I've been trying very hard to convince myself that when this baby arrives I'll actually miss being pregnant. This is my last baby, our last baby, so I've been attempting to enjoy every moment and remember the good feelings of pregnancy. It's been so hard, I'm not one of those glowing women that loves being pregnant, quite the opposite really!
I started to become so anxious about going into labor, or more how I would go into labor. With Gage, I walked around 5 cms for a few days without even realizing it and walked into the hospital just feeling minorly uncomfortable. I keep expecting the same thing this time, and for me to not even know I'm in labor. Last week I was a wreck about it all. Now I've finally accepted that this baby will just come when he's ready, that I will absolutely know when that time is, even if it's the most subtle of signs. I think I know my body well enough to tell me when it's ready. I don't think I'll be making it to October, in fact, I'll be absolutely shocked if I do.
At least I don't have to worry about that massive rush to the hospital! I think (or hope!) that everything will just be very calm. Stuart has been working a lot lately, so I'm just really hoping he's home when I go into labor instead of having to call him home from work.
I know this is a short post, but I now need to go give Gage a bath, somehow, with horrible heartburn and no idea how I'm going to lift him into and out of the bathtub.
I can't wait to have my body back!
I forgot the feeling of being sick of pregnancy, and I forgot how irritable/impatient I get with it all. My poor Stu and Gage. And the dog seems to get the worst of it. I think all 3 have learned to just stay out of the same room I'm in.
I've been trying very hard to convince myself that when this baby arrives I'll actually miss being pregnant. This is my last baby, our last baby, so I've been attempting to enjoy every moment and remember the good feelings of pregnancy. It's been so hard, I'm not one of those glowing women that loves being pregnant, quite the opposite really!
I started to become so anxious about going into labor, or more how I would go into labor. With Gage, I walked around 5 cms for a few days without even realizing it and walked into the hospital just feeling minorly uncomfortable. I keep expecting the same thing this time, and for me to not even know I'm in labor. Last week I was a wreck about it all. Now I've finally accepted that this baby will just come when he's ready, that I will absolutely know when that time is, even if it's the most subtle of signs. I think I know my body well enough to tell me when it's ready. I don't think I'll be making it to October, in fact, I'll be absolutely shocked if I do.
At least I don't have to worry about that massive rush to the hospital! I think (or hope!) that everything will just be very calm. Stuart has been working a lot lately, so I'm just really hoping he's home when I go into labor instead of having to call him home from work.
I know this is a short post, but I now need to go give Gage a bath, somehow, with horrible heartburn and no idea how I'm going to lift him into and out of the bathtub.
I can't wait to have my body back!
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Don't Prod the Prego!
This pregnancy has taught me so much about myself. The last 35 weeks have been full of so many events, large and not so large, that have been exhausting but rewarding. I'm not typically an optimistic person, and optimistic people generally annoy the hell out of me, but I've really needed some positivity this pregnancy.
I consider myself really blessed that my family and close friends are really supportive of our decision for a home birth. When we went to our Home Birth Info Night earlier in pregnancy that was put on by our midwives, we learned that some moms-to-be are not so lucky.
Then again, anyone that does disagree with our option to home birth, wouldn't really concern me. It's what suits us, what we both feel is best for us, and no one else can really have a strong enough opinion that will sway us. Anytime that a friend or acquaintance has raised a bit of concern, we calmly deal with it, and simply explain why we feel it is best for us.
That all being said, every single one of my friends (and family) knows I am strongly opinionated. I have strong morals and beliefs for myself and for how we are to raise our family and I'm not afraid of voicing those beliefs. I don't think that because they are beliefs they are the ONLY thing that is right, I just believe that it is right for my family. I have several friends who disagree with one thing or another, and we are still friends. It is just a matter of opinion, and our friendship is generally stronger then that opinion. Because of this, I have no problems posting something on a social networking site, for example an article about something I agree with, and having other people see my stance on that particular issue. It's general common sense, that if you don't like it, don't read it. If you disagree, and feel the need to comment and say so, I have no problems with that.... I enjoy a good conversation discussing the different sides/beliefs to something! I actually love a good "debate". I don't post information about something I believe in (or don't believe in, in some instances) just to piss people off or to offend people on purpose, and it generally annoys me when people take social networking sites so seriously. Any one of the people I have on facebook, or twitter, have the freedom to post whatever they wish, and not be attacked because of it. My best friend could post "I love meat, meat is awesome!" and I probably "like" the status just to be silly. I'm not going to attack her just because she loves meat. Or unfriend her. Or never talk to her again.
So many parents learn quickly that if you openly express how you feel about a two-sided issue, you better be prepared to put on your flame suit. I learned quickly after becoming a mom to Gage that if you scroll through some of the Community forums on Baby Center or The Bump, mom's can be brutally vicious about their beliefs. I recently read a forum where a mom started a thread looking for more information regarding not vaccinating her children and how to go about registering them for school and about 23 moms (I counted) ripped her to shreds over her decision to not vaccinate. I've also read the same about a mom who after having a hard time breastfeeding her newborn baby, decided to feed formula from a bottle and instead of getting support for her hard and guilt-ridden decision, she was also ripped to shreds.
While a Community Board is much different from a social networking site where generally you ONLY have friends, I strongly believe (haha) that both should be supportive for mom's. As a new mom to Gage, I was terrified of posting on those boards with my breastfeeding issues, and instead of posting online trying to find some support, I just bottlefed him formula. I know there must be other mom's out there that feel the same.
I hate to lose a friend for any reason, but even more so just because they don't "like" my opinion about something I believe in. Or that I posted that belief on a social networking site. The way I see it all, is if someone is so easily offended by my belief in something to stop being my friend, then they must not have been a valuable friend in the first place!
So just to clarify:
I believe in breastfeeding as long as possible.
I believe in raising my family eating a vegetarian diet, and would love to transition to veganism.
I believe in being a stay at home mom to my children, until they are in school, to ensure that they get everything they need for the best possible start in life... and only I can give them that.
I believe that if you don't like something in your life, only you have the power to change it.
I believe in rescuing/adopting pets instead of purchasing from a pet store or breeder
I believe that IF YOU GET A DOG OR CAT, YOU SHOULD SPAY OR NEUTER THEM!! Can't afford it? DON'T GET THE DOG OR CAT IN THE FIRST PLACE! (Last 2 unrelated, I know, but I couldn't resist).
And lastly, but certainly not least, I do not believe in circumcision and will not circumcise my sons.
*Puts flame suit on*
Feel free to flame away! :)
I consider myself really blessed that my family and close friends are really supportive of our decision for a home birth. When we went to our Home Birth Info Night earlier in pregnancy that was put on by our midwives, we learned that some moms-to-be are not so lucky.
Then again, anyone that does disagree with our option to home birth, wouldn't really concern me. It's what suits us, what we both feel is best for us, and no one else can really have a strong enough opinion that will sway us. Anytime that a friend or acquaintance has raised a bit of concern, we calmly deal with it, and simply explain why we feel it is best for us.
That all being said, every single one of my friends (and family) knows I am strongly opinionated. I have strong morals and beliefs for myself and for how we are to raise our family and I'm not afraid of voicing those beliefs. I don't think that because they are beliefs they are the ONLY thing that is right, I just believe that it is right for my family. I have several friends who disagree with one thing or another, and we are still friends. It is just a matter of opinion, and our friendship is generally stronger then that opinion. Because of this, I have no problems posting something on a social networking site, for example an article about something I agree with, and having other people see my stance on that particular issue. It's general common sense, that if you don't like it, don't read it. If you disagree, and feel the need to comment and say so, I have no problems with that.... I enjoy a good conversation discussing the different sides/beliefs to something! I actually love a good "debate". I don't post information about something I believe in (or don't believe in, in some instances) just to piss people off or to offend people on purpose, and it generally annoys me when people take social networking sites so seriously. Any one of the people I have on facebook, or twitter, have the freedom to post whatever they wish, and not be attacked because of it. My best friend could post "I love meat, meat is awesome!" and I probably "like" the status just to be silly. I'm not going to attack her just because she loves meat. Or unfriend her. Or never talk to her again.
So many parents learn quickly that if you openly express how you feel about a two-sided issue, you better be prepared to put on your flame suit. I learned quickly after becoming a mom to Gage that if you scroll through some of the Community forums on Baby Center or The Bump, mom's can be brutally vicious about their beliefs. I recently read a forum where a mom started a thread looking for more information regarding not vaccinating her children and how to go about registering them for school and about 23 moms (I counted) ripped her to shreds over her decision to not vaccinate. I've also read the same about a mom who after having a hard time breastfeeding her newborn baby, decided to feed formula from a bottle and instead of getting support for her hard and guilt-ridden decision, she was also ripped to shreds.
While a Community Board is much different from a social networking site where generally you ONLY have friends, I strongly believe (haha) that both should be supportive for mom's. As a new mom to Gage, I was terrified of posting on those boards with my breastfeeding issues, and instead of posting online trying to find some support, I just bottlefed him formula. I know there must be other mom's out there that feel the same.
I hate to lose a friend for any reason, but even more so just because they don't "like" my opinion about something I believe in. Or that I posted that belief on a social networking site. The way I see it all, is if someone is so easily offended by my belief in something to stop being my friend, then they must not have been a valuable friend in the first place!
So just to clarify:
I believe in breastfeeding as long as possible.
I believe in raising my family eating a vegetarian diet, and would love to transition to veganism.
I believe in being a stay at home mom to my children, until they are in school, to ensure that they get everything they need for the best possible start in life... and only I can give them that.
I believe that if you don't like something in your life, only you have the power to change it.
I believe in rescuing/adopting pets instead of purchasing from a pet store or breeder
I believe that IF YOU GET A DOG OR CAT, YOU SHOULD SPAY OR NEUTER THEM!! Can't afford it? DON'T GET THE DOG OR CAT IN THE FIRST PLACE! (Last 2 unrelated, I know, but I couldn't resist).
And lastly, but certainly not least, I do not believe in circumcision and will not circumcise my sons.
*Puts flame suit on*
Feel free to flame away! :)
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