I’m a natural parent, but. . .

Welcome to the “I’m a Natural Parent – BUT…” Carnival

This post was written for inclusion in the carnival hosted by The Artful Mama and Natural Parents Network. During this carnival our participants have focused on the many different forms and shapes Natural Parenting can take in our community.

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. . . I don’t eat my placenta. My daughter’s is buried beneath the apple tree in our backyard in Montana and my son’s is under a water oak in our Texas backyard.

. . . I don’t want to see or touch my baby’s head as it is born, nor do I want to catch my baby.

. . . my daughter and I weaned each other when she was 13-months-old. No extended nursing for her. And fortunately, no tandem nursing for me because I think I would hate it.

. . . I will not be homeschooling. Although I’d kick ass at it, except for the part about being with my kids all day. Besides, it’s one of the few parenting issues my husband has a strong opinion on. (His concerns are valid, so don’t send hate mail.)

. . . my daughter watches cartoons every morning. Some might call that using the television as a babysitter. I call it a better choice than alcohol to preserve mama’s sanity.

. . . speaking of television, I watch The Bachelor. And in the summers, Big Brother. Occasionally, The Amazing Race, too. And college football. (Yes, I am a competitive person, and I can’t wait to sign up my daughter for Toddlers & Tiaras.)

. . . we used to eat at Chick-fil-A. Then I read an article about just how socially conservative (i.e. homophobic) the company is. Thank goodness I found Raising Cane’s. Please, oh please, don’t tell me they’re prejudiced, too.

. . . I buy paper towels when my mom is coming to town. She does most of the cooking, so if she needs paper products as part of her culinary work, then so be it.

. . . I use disposable feminine hygiene products, although I’d like to experiment with one of those little cup thingies. (No rush on getting back to me, though, Aunt Flo.)

. . . I’ve never looked down on anyone for not using cloth diapers. I love them, but whether you use them or not is a non-issue to me.

. . . the same with a mother not staying home with her kids. It’s a non-issue. Although I am supremely jealous of any mom who gets time alone in her car or the bathroom each day.

. . . even with the most supportive doctor, nurse, and doula, if I’d had my first child in the hospital I probably would have had an epidural.

. . . I don’t care where you have your baby. I just care that you make informed decisions and are respected by caregivers.

. . . I’m not perfect, and life’s too short to play by all the rules anyway.

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This carnival was created by The Artful Mama and Natural Parents Network. We recognize that “natural parenting” means different things to different families, and we are dedicated to providing a safe place for all families, regardless of where they are in their parenting journeys.

Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:

My kid is a technophile — Jenn at Monkey Butt Junction hasn’t turned in her natural parenting card yet, even though her son prefers electronic toys
I’m a Natural Parent, but…I use medicine! — Adrienne at Mommying My Way admits that while she hesitates to do so, sometimes she does give her son some medicine when his symptoms get really bad.
I’m Only Half Planning a Natural Birth — Shannon at The Artful Mama discloses how she is planning her semi-natural hospital birth and still dares to call herself a Natural Parent.
Why we aren’t rear facing — Shannon at Pineapples & Artichokes talks about her decision to turn her one-year-old daughter’s carseat around, and how the argument always given for extended rear facing makes her feel.
Musings of an Almost Crunchy Momma — Valerie at Momma in Progress re-examines her list of natural parenting litmus tests.
Natural Parenting Does Not Equal Perfect Parenting — Jennifer at Hybrid Rasta Mama admits to several not-so-natural parenting and lifestyle practices.
10 Reasons to Revoke My Natural Parent Card — Laura at WaldenMommy: Life Behind the Red Front Door discusses why some of her less-than-crunchy practices are better for her family.
I’m a Natural Parent – BUT… MacNCheese is Awesome. — Jennifer at True Confessions of a Real Mommy reveals her penchant for some far from healthy eating, cheap food recipes.
Crunchy on the Inside — Wolfmother at Fabulous Mama Chronicles muses about how the stereotype of a natural parent does not do justice to the very dynamic group that this parenting philosophy attracts.
My Reality — Megan from The Other Baby Book confesses a few things about her parenting.
I’m Crunchy But… — Christy at Mommy Outnumbered shares confessions on all of her “non” crunchy ways.
I’m A Natural Parent, But…it took me awhile — It took Kerry at City Kids Homeschooling awhile before fully understanding and appreciating Natural Parenting.
I Am Not a Perfect Natural Parent — Momma Jorje shares her dirty little secrets as a mostly natural parent.
Crunchy, But Not Crunchier Than Thou — Instead of comparing yourself to others, Dionna at Code Name: Mama encourages you to give yourself permission to be as crunchy as you can for right now.
I’m a natural parent but…I love bedtimes — Terri at Child of the Nature Isle would never let her children cry-it-out, but she has a selection of other methods to encourage early bedtimes.
I’m a Natural Parent – BUT… — Lani at Boobie Time Blog believes that following the principles of Natural Parenting doesn’t mean you fit a stereotypical mold of societal view.
Confessions of a Low Supply Mom — Mandy at Living Peacefully with Children confesses her insecurities about being a low supply mom.
I’m a natural parent, but. . . — Not eating her placenta is just one of the ways Ashley at Mama Raw falls short at being a natural parent.
I’m a Natural Parent But…I have a Few Confessions — Kat at Loving {Almost} Every Moment strives to be a Natural Mama, but wait, she has a few confessions!

I’m a Natural Parent BUT — Carrie at LoveNotesMama confesses her gratitude for disposable diapers.
Intestinal Dissection — Melissa from White Noise talks about how imperfection can be beautiful when it is buffered with love.
How much sugar is too much? — Tat at Mum in Search shares how her no-sugar policy evolved into a balancing act, with the balance point not where she’d like to see it.
I’m a Natural Parent, but. . . — Amyables at Toddler In Tow talks about three of her parenting habits that are not super “natural.”
Minus Ten Crunchy Points — Joella at Fine and Fair discusses how some of her parenting choices seen as “too crunchy” by those she knows in real life could get her kicked out of the crunchy mom clubs online.
The Natural Parent “Model” — Kym at Our Crazy Corner of the World talks about her love for not-so-natural cosmetics and beauty products.
Nice to meet you. — Eileen at Love & Greens talks about how being a natural mama means something different to her every day.
natural parent blog carnival — Ashley at Daisy Pedals touches on several natural parenting topics; from cloth diapers to cleaning with natural cleaners.
I’m a natural parent, but you’d be surprised — Lauren at Hobo Mama confesses to liking diet soda and TV and having lost all her reusable shopping bags.
I’m a Natural Parent, but…. I don’t shop local — Luschka at Diary of a First Child confesses one of her greatest ‘natural’ failures – she doesn’t shop local and support her community, despite wishing she could.
Who You Callin’ Natural? (a Carnival of Natural Parenting Contribution) — A bit of premise exposition, some tongue-in-cheek filler, and a photographic list of all the ways Embrita Blogging cheats at being natural.
Dirty Secrets of a Green & Natural Mama (and Why I’m Not Afraid to Share Them!) — Charise at I Thought I Knew Mama shares her definition of what it means to be a perfect mama as well as a few of her dirty little secrets.
Green Mommy Guilt — Jen at Jen and Joey Green talks about how being a perfect Green Mom is overrated.
Life Coping Devices — Amy at Anktangle discusses two (“non-AP”) coping strategies her family has used for getting through difficult times with her son: the pacifier and the stroller.
We use disposable diapers. There. I said it. — The mama at Our Muddy Boots shares a bed, nurses her 4 year old, is vegetarian, and is committed to homeschooling; but Pampers adorn her child’s bottom. Ugh!
Committed to Cloth, but… — Sheila at A Living Family affirms her love of cloth diapering, despite the draw of disposables.
Natural Parenting as a Doorway to Deep Truths — Amy from Peace for Parents guest posts at Natural Parents Network and shares how for her “natural parenting” is much less about a definition and much more an avenue to explore truths of life.
Chicken No-nos — Jessica at Pace Family Place strives to live naturally but feeds her oldest son some not-so natural things

16 responses to “I’m a natural parent, but. . .”

sara moon
February 26th, 2012 at 08:03

Oh, Ashley, I think I love you.

Shannon at The Artful Mama
February 26th, 2012 at 08:22

You are too funny for words. I am so glad you joined us because I definitely think your bluntness added another layer of awesome to this carnival. My confession was also a concession to the valid concerns of my own hubby. Plus you are right going to the restroom alone is a treat you should definitely get to experience before they go to college

Dionna @ Code Name: Mama
February 26th, 2012 at 09:56

I don’t look down on sposie users either – 1) because we occasionally use them, too, and 2) because I sometimes hate trudging up and down the stairs to do diaper laundry

Amy @ Anktangle
February 26th, 2012 at 12:25

I love this list. I truly TRULY believe that we’re all doing our best, and that our best is pretty damn good! Good for you for being shameless and guilt-free when it comes to the decisions you’ve made for you and your family.

Lani @ Boobie Time Blog
February 26th, 2012 at 13:22

I love you list! It’s great and to the point! We all are just doing our best!

boheime
February 26th, 2012 at 14:14

Sometimes being comfortable with yourself is one of the hardest battles. I also refuse to eat at Chik-Fil-A. It’s one thing for a company’s owners to have specific views. It is an entirely different thing for employees to be forced to hold those views or be fired.

Jessica Pace
February 26th, 2012 at 14:30

I LOVE chickfila still too, and totally couldnt touch my babys head when he was coming out. We do what we can!

linzster
February 26th, 2012 at 18:07

So this idea of a blog carnival is new to me. Can you explain how it works? And Amen about morning cartoons!

- Ashley
  February 26th, 2012 at 20:39
  
  This was the first time I’ve ever participated in one. Basically, some bloggers create a topic then accept blog post submissions on that topic. There’s a deadline a week or so in advance, so all the HTML code can be created for the introduction and links to all blogs involved (the long list of carnival posts at the end of my post). Then on the day of the carnival, everyone posts, URLs and code is checked for accuracy, and you’re off to read other participants’ posts. I had fun doing it, especially on this topic.
  
staci
February 26th, 2012 at 18:57

i love my diva cup. tmi? perhaps but i think you can handle it;)

- Ashley
  February 26th, 2012 at 20:40
  
  I think I could handle it, but let’s not give my body any ideas. It decided I was ready for a second kid when Maisie was only six months old…
  
childofnatureisle
February 26th, 2012 at 18:59

I like your list – so true to yourself and that’s what counts. Kids need to see us being authentic and enjoying life not killing ourselves with guilt while trying to live up to some imaginary standards! Thanks for writing about the cartoons. I don’t do them in the mornings but I can’t make it through the day without at least one session of screen time. Once I put on one episode of Caillou or Charlie and Lola on You Tube, my daughter can successfully continue the process for the next hour – I do often feel guilty but that’s out the window after this carnival. Like you say the TV can save a Mama’s sanity!

Kat @ Loving {Almost} Every Moment
February 26th, 2012 at 19:31

Oh yes! Love your list…I agree that anything that keeps the children entertained for a few minutes for sanity is A-OK with me!!! Thanks for sharing!

Wolfmother
February 27th, 2012 at 01:05

I love the sentiment that many of us are rebels even within the outside fringes we choose to dwell. Like double rebels. We don’t even let our own self-created definitions actually define us because we are ever-changing. Not only do we live outside the box but we kick it down and stomp on it mercilessly.

- Ashley
  February 27th, 2012 at 07:20
  
  Double rebels. Yes! I like this.
  
Jennifer at Hybrid Rasta Mama
February 27th, 2012 at 08:53

I keep meaning to get over to your blog to let you know that I am LOVING your posts this month! Seriously. Every. Single. One. You are amazing mama!!!!! I miss writing with your over at JDM. Anyway – another great post filled with honestly. I’m going to miss your post a day when it ends! Love to you!