Thursday, May 2, 2013

"Normal" Phase

This weeks topic is about non-traditional parenting choices, what do you do that's "unusual"? Jenn asked.

Animal is a year and a half old, at this stage I don't really think I do anything that is "unusual".

When he was a baby there were a few things. Like his crib was in our room until 10 months, I exclusively breastfed till six months, I made my son's baby food (using only organic produce for a long time). I gave him peanut butter on his first birthday and eggs just before he turned 1. Except for tasting some fresh fruit juice from Sweet Tomato, he only drinks milk (mine and organic cow milk) and water. We're self weaning (is that unusual?), but we're almost done. My bodies still making milk, but he nurses a total of 5 to 20 minutes a day. We're almost done there. I tried not to let him watch TV, but we all know I failed there.

I would say that we are currently very traditional. So he can't drink soda or juice. That's totally normal. He watches a little TV, normal again. He eats pretty healthy and we make sure he gets a chance to be active and the opportunity to rest (even if that means our life revolves around his nap schedule) that's what parents do. He's not allowed to go to strip clubs. He can't hang out on the corner getting smashed and smoking pot. And absolutely no bitches over after bedtime.

Even though his daddy and I don't get flu shots and tend to believe in natural remedies before a prescription, our son's vaccinations are up to date and complete and will remain so. We will give him over the counter drugs when needed and be at every well baby visit. Normal again, right?

I foresee that it will be a few years before our unusual methods emerge.

I really wanted to home school, but I haven't finished school, and we can't afford for me to stay home.

So, when Animal starts school, the hubby and I plan to enhance his education with some field trips, home lessons, debates and our own reading material. I don't know that teachers will appreciate our public education plus plan. And I don't care.

I don't want to lie to my son, and while there are some subjects where I will have little to add (think math), there are other subjects like social studies, art, physical education, English (not grammar or spelling obviously) and science (think life/biology) where I think the hubby and I will have a lot to contribute.

When he starts learning about the missions, we're gonna take him to the same mission his school will take him to, but we'll be sure to include the mass "Indian" graveyard, and to discuss the Catholic church's roll in the genocide of the native people.

When he studies the Mexican/American war and the treaty of Guadalupe, we'll talk about it from both perspectives.

We'll provide yoga, and other physical activity at home. When he's old enough I'm going to take him on family fun runs and with me in the mornings so we can pound the pavement together.

We'll go to art museums, poetry readings, protest, concerts, the ballet, and provide creative outlets.

We want Animal to be curious, to question everything, to think. Both the hubby and I think those are invaluable skills. When he wants something we don't agree on, we'll ask him to convince us. With an essay.

It's hard to say all we'll do, because those times aren't here yet.

We don't know what curve balls life will throw us. What things we'll add, and what will be omitted.

Whatever our methods, they'll be the norm in our home. I'm looking forward to it.


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 Today's letter is B.

18 comments:

  1. I think the no-juice thing is unusual. I support it, though. The boy gets 6 oz of Fruitables a day (which is 1/3 fruit juice, 1/3 vegetable juice, 1/3 water).

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    1. Remember when I said I made most of his food choices based on statistics of him being a healthy weight. Th earlier he starts drinking the more likely he wont be healthy weight as an adult. I like fruitables and your obviously monitoring intake. We're gonna start with Honest kids or Fruitables one serving, occasionally at 3. I think once water is his mainstay I wont be so vigilant, though. Also it could be one of those things where the studies show this correlation but really the link isn't so much the drink as the parents giving copious amounts plus other food choices...

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    2. I'm lucky; when he was one and we started quizzing the pediatrician about what foods we could give him, he told us, "He's an ectomorph. He'll never be overweight."

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    3. I have to limit all the fruit intake of all my kids because one of them goes totally Mt. Vesuvious out the back end on us with too much fruit. And it's just mean to let her sisters enjoy fruit in front of her. So we don't usually have fruit juice at ALL, and limited fruit. But the Ped said we are cool so far.

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    4. First Jenn, Lucky!
      Second Lori, that's great you do the same rules for the whole family. I buy (or still occasionally make) fruit and veggie squeeze packs (happy tot it earth's best) to cut down on fruit and up veggies.

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  2. I think I'm the odd man out because mine are so much older. Yes, they drink Pepsi and Mt Dew. But only when we go out to eat. Sprite on the weekends. Through the week I push water, Gatorade. But they get Kool-Aid, too. (And Goddess knows what they're drinking when they're with their dad)

    I giggled at the "no bitches over after bedtime"

    -The Insomniacs Dream

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    1. When Animal's older that's how we're gonna do it too. Minus the Kool-Aid, that will also be a special treat, because as you have so amusingly talked about it takes one cup of sugar, no less. No Less, for it's truly yummy potential.

      I didn't know how I was gonna get the B word in, it was the hubby's stroke of genius :)

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  3. I'm with Insomiacs Dream. My boys are older and like her soda on special occasions. They're so cute they know I won't let them have a whole can of soda each so one day I think it was New Year (remember special occasions) I said they can have a whole can each. The look on their face was We've won the lottery. I've also give them juice since they were small. Small amounts and only apple & at times mixed with water. My boys are really skinny so I wouldn't mind adding a couple pound to their frame but I won't go the bad way (soda, McDonald's and such).

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    1. I really hope we end up with that problem instead so I can start baking again!

      Do ppl give you a hard time? I find kids easily adapt to our rules, adults on the other hand....

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  4. Hey we did most of that stuff. We even homeschool. No TV until 4, still totally limited (he's 7). No juice, organic at home, couldn't nurse because he's adopted so you have me there :-) Who know's what's traditional anymore? I don't. The boy has slept in my bed for 7 years. Feels pretty traditional to me.

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    1. That's what I think. Every family is different, whatever we do in our homes is what's traditional for our kids.

      I wanted a family bed so bad, but our son refused to sleep or let anyone else sleep. And you get to homeschool, lucky.

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  5. I love that you will include the part of the genocide of the native people. History is often written by the victors, and I have always thought that the world benefits from the perspective of those that lost so much! You are off to a great start!

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    1. Thanx, we think it's important. Not just because he should be a critical thinker, but because we want him to question everything always. Annoying as that will sometimes be.

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  6. I think normal is relative. It works for you!

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  7. Your child's teachers will not be upset that you are enhancing his education. The more you bring to the table when it comes to educating your child, the more successful they will be. The big push in education right now is with developing a child's reasoning/critical thinking skills. In my opinion (and I'm only a lowly teacher) is that those skills must start at home for a child to have a fighting chance. So, right on Mama! I support your nontraditional ways!

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    1. Thank you :) I don't know that all teachers feel the same as you, but the good ones do. So you must be a good one! I can only hope that my son gets teachers like you.

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  8. I think you are a pretty normal mom and that is weird!! not because i usually find people weird but because people normally are unusual! I also seem to be very loose about things...I take each child as they are and we go with it!! Lil Mister likes to cuddle and be near people. He hates sleeping alone. So he either falls asleep in the lounge with us or one of us lies in his bed until he sleeps...he then emerges in our bed some where in the vicinity of 3am! we're ok with this. It works in our house. I also started both kids on solids around 4 months. LJ has no form of routine and adapts very well to our life style day to day! I say do what works for you and your family and shove those who want to place negativity on your vibes!!

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