Check out this Blog Post!

I really wanted to share this Blog post with you all. It touches on a subject that has really affected me personally. I think social media is a wonderful outlet to make a positive difference but sometimes even with the best intentions people needlessly make others feel bad….especially moms who are doing their very best to raise their children. Of course we all have our ideas about what is the "best" (healthiest, most connected, natural, etc.) but the only true "best" way is the way that is best for you and your family.

So when you get a chance please take a look at this post. The author, Keli, says what I am feeling in a very truthful and powerful way. I hope reading this will bring a little peace to your day!

http://www.kidnappedbysuburbia.com/index.php/2011/04/07/enough/

It Takes A Village

I often ponder my own difficulties and frustrations with raising my children. Child rearing is one of the most natural and beautiful life events a woman can experience yet there are times that I find myself completely incapable of this task. How can an experience so innate and wonderful be so difficult and perplexing at the same time?

I often wonder what is really important in my life and the lives of my children. I do believe that my life would be less complicated if there was no television in my living area and if my kids didn't have so many "things" at their disposal. I think it is easier at times for kids to sit in front of the television than to come up with more constructive uses for their time. I also feel that there would be far less time arguing if there were less things to argue over.

I think one of the biggest things I have discovered over the last couple of years is that it really does take a village to raise a child. Raising children is no easy task no matter how patient a person you are or how good you are at it. We are on the clock 24 hours a day, seven days a week and no matter what else we are doing in our lives this is by far the most important job we have.

I think in order to be most successful at raising our children we all need to find our own "village". This might be extended family, the neighborhood within which one lives or the Church to which one belongs. There are also Mom's Clubs, the YMCA, and other social organizations that exist in the community. My village includes my neighbor, mother-in-law, cousin and other mom's in the community. I call on my village to watch my children when needed, to help nurture and guide my children through different stages of development and to offer emotional support so I can vent frustrations and seek encouragement and advice from those I love and respect.

I feel that emotional and physical support from those around us is key in helping us be successful as both individuals and as parents. It is essential that we give and receive help with raising children. We need to take the time to exchange babysitting services, arrange play dates and social outings, share information, and exchange ideas. We need to not only be a source of support to those in our villages but also allow those in our villages to support us.