Why We Should Embrace the “Extreme Parenting” title

April 23, 2013 | 2 Comments
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Probably before, but ever since Time Magazine’s “Mom Enough” cover came out, people have been labeling parenting practices that are similar to or in alignment with “attachment parenting” as extreme. Most of us laughed it off because there was a clear disconnect between what the families' lives were actually like in these "extreme parenting" scenarios and what society thought went on in their homes. It was (and still is) such a foreign concept to so many Americans, that the general … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Global Community, Parenting, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Books for Children and Adults: Homosexuality

April 21, 2013 | 4 Comments
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books on homosexualityHappy Sunday! Here are some of my picks for children's and adult books educating and celebrating same-sex relationships.Children's Books covering the topic of LGBT families (but also some touch on the topic of interracial families and adoption). <3   Gay Christian Reading:  Strengthen or Evolve: Debate and Counterpoint Reading: books on homosexuality … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Global Community, Marriage, Parenting, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

Text Messages from a Four Year Old

April 19, 2013 | 1 Comment
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Aram asked for my phone the other night, and had his first text conversation. He was so excited to be able to have access to Brian when he was at work.... up until Brian told him it was time to bed, then he wasn't so keen on texting him anymore! ;-) I never thought texting could be useful learning tool, but reading and spelling action is definitely happening .  I am not thinking I should start embracing modern technology for kids (in small doses)! … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Just for Fun, Parenting Tagged With: , , , ,

How to Talk to Your Children About Tragedy

April 16, 2013 | 4 Comments
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  We were at an early dinner last night when our kids caught a glimpse of the videos taken today when the bombing happened at the Boston Marathon. This was the first time the kids really associated themselves with targets of such senseless hate. Our children are aware of tragedies going on in the world, but I think this is the first time it really clicked as a reality for them. It was sad, but also a reminder that they are growing up and it was time to talk more in-depth about fear, … [Read more...]

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The Year of Mother Elephant Fathering

April 12, 2013 | 2 Comments
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I think this is the year that fathers get their due respect. Parents who are present are starting to get noticed. Most mothers, whether they have a 9-5 job or “stay at home”, get all the blame and all the credit for parenting. She is seen as present (rightly so, most of the time) and taking an active role in the child’s upbringing. However, dads are generally ignored. Fathers are often called out for vanishing after conception, or not “being there” enough for their offspring during … [Read more...]

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A Disruptive Hairstyle Suspends Five-Year-Old From School

April 9, 2013 | 13 Comments
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Five-year-old Ethan Clos was suspended last Wednesday from Reid Primary and Middle School for having a "disruptive" hairstyle. Here is his disruptive hairstyle: Here is what their school handbook says for their hairstyle code: "Hair shall be worn above the eyebrows and must be kept clean, neat and trimmed"..."Hair styling or coloring arrangements which are disruptive or distracting are not permissible." According to Ethan's mom, he had been asking her repeatedly for a mohawk, and she … [Read more...]

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Breastfeeding in South Africa

March 19, 2013 | 4 Comments
The artist of this breastfeeding piece holding up his work. This piece of art was also my birthday present from my in-laws.

When visiting any country, I am always curious about the cultural differences regarding child-rearing practices and the attitude towards breastfeeding compared to the US. South Africa is an interesting country because it can be viewed in many areas as Western, with a lot of European influence, but there are so many different cultures and subcultures in the country that the viewpoints of the people living within the borders of South Africa are vastly different. I think that the idea of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Global Community, Parenting, Travel, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

When to Be Proud of Our Children

January 27, 2013 | 7 Comments
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A story was told to me a few nights ago about two brothers and their love for each other. This is a story of hope and love led by example of the most unfiltered,  precious, and discerning people on the planet- children. Parents tend to boast about their children's Western accomplishments. Various awards are given out for excellence in academics, sports, and the arts.  We all know, or are guilty ourselves, of bragging about physical attributes of our children. How many of us have spouted off … [Read more...]

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Attachment Parenting and Putting Your Marriage Before Your Children

December 7, 2012 | 15 Comments
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The divorce rate in America is hard to get a good estimate of because some states don’t disclose their divorce rates (including California, rumored to be among the highest in divorces).   It is estimated that 34-55% of all US marriages end in divorce. Even on the low end the numbers are not very cheery.   People who “attachment parent” have been accused of causing divorce due to their lifestyle. I am assuming the estimated statistic above is not made up of solely AP … [Read more...]

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A Letter To My Pre-Child Self

November 26, 2012 | 12 Comments
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  Dear Pre-child Jamie,   First off, no, your kids won’t be different. That is why that white linen couch purchase (as much as you tried to justify it) was a stupid idea. Within a year of being a mother that couch will be ruined by a huge stain made by an unidentified liquid. What is your current couch made out of? Microfiber- get familiar.   Scared of labor? Wasting your time worrying about that one...   ...But you know what kind of pain you will … [Read more...]

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