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On Obedience and Grace
It had been a beautiful evening. We had taken a family walk on the beach, watched the kids play in the sand, and stared in awe at the ocean. Dusk was settling in gently, and we were going to prepare for bed when Levi asked if he could swim before we put on his jammies. The pool was particularly alluring in the waning light, and we smiled and agreed and stripped the children down, allowing them to wade in the baby pool, an eighteen-inch deep section separated from the main pool by a small wall. Since we were only going to let them in a few minutes, we didn’t insist…
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Fertility Awareness – How To
Fertility Awareness, or Natural Family Planning, is the most natural way to prevent pregnancy or to attempt pregnancy. The amazing thing is, anybody can do it. The most important thing you need to use it as a method of birth control? Knowledge. A Woman’s Cycle As you know, the female body works in reproductive cycles. Though it may vary from person to person, let’s use the average 28-day cycle as a point of reference. The first day of menses is day 1. It is also the same day that the follicular phase begins; in other words, the time when an egg is maturing. Estrogen is the key player during this…
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11 Surprising Things I’ve Learned about Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is one of those things I always planned on doing. But, just as most things with parenthood, I found so many things surprising (and amazing) about it! Here are eleven things I’ve learned from research and experience. 1. Breastfeeding is Instinctual for Babies During our classes at Lifecycle Woman Care, we were taught about the importance of the first “golden hour” after birth. During this time, the baby is alert and intent on connecting to the mother they previously only knew on the inside. When newborns are placed on their mother’s bare body, they have an innate drive to connect to the breast, and the breast crawl ensues. Babies…
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on breastfeeding
In honor of Breastfeeding Awareness month, here is a somewhat silly, somewhat serious look at the art of breastfeeding. ON BREASTFEEDING “I will breastfeed, yes I can. I will breastfeed, that’s the plan.” That’s what many mamas say Before they breastfeed that first day. To breastfeed, though, is no small feat. It takes some work, and though it’s sweet To have your baby suckle you, It has its low points, too; it’s true. The sexy bras that have to go. The guilt when milk production’s low. Mastitis is a total pain, Leaky boobs your clothes will stain. Nipple shields, lanolin cream, Nursing covers, the urge to scream When baby latches…
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Why I Couldn’t go Through with Sleep Training (and what Happened)
I remember the severity of his cry. It was lusty, desperate, and terrible. Hearing it made my insides writhe. I knew that he knew that I was right outside the door, and he was terrified as to why I wasn’t coming back in. Though I had been advised to let my baby cry alone, to self-soothe, I couldn’t do it. I flung the door open and we were reunited, tears streaming down both of our faces. I held his small body against mine and, while he calmed down quickly, it took a while for me to deescalate. This, of course, is not an affective way to sleep-train your child. I…
