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Top 10 Things That Have Helped Me Become a Natural Parent

Top 10 Things That Have Helped Me Become a Natural Parent

Welcome to the Carnival of Natural Parenting: Natural Parenting Top 10 Lists

This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama. This month our participants have shared Top 10 lists on a wide variety of aspects of attachment parenting and natural living. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.

The Accidental Natural Mama’s Top 10 List
1. Breastfeeding support group: Prior to giving birth, I had never been around breast-feeders and was not breastfed myself. I didn’t really know how the whole thing was supposed to go—the only images that I had in my mind of nourishing babies involved bottles and cans of formula. When I was knocked upside the breast (left breast, to be exact) with mastitis two weeks post-partum, I made my way to a local breastfeeding group at the hospital where I had delivered my daughter. It turned out to be one of the best choices I ever made. Not only did I find the support I needed to continue nursing, but I also made some wonderful friends who have become an integral part of my life as a natural mama.

2. Alfie Kohn: Let’s face it—ever natural mama needs some Alfie in her life. Kohn’s book Unconditional Parenting: Moving From Rewards and Punishments to Love and Reason was a game-changer. I’m serious—this book changed my life. I read it; I loved it, and now I live it.

3. Moby Wrap: For the first six months or so of my daughter’s life, the Moby was our best friend. Not only did it keep her snugly, close, and safe, but I was also able to write the first three chapters of my dissertation while she snoozed cozied up against me. I was also able to do some more basic care things, like eat and move around the house. I visited New York City with my daughter wrapped in the Moby! Heck, I even scrubbed baseboards once. Don’t worry, though, that one didn’t become a habit!

4. Playgroup: Remember those friends I made in the breastfeeding group? Well, we formed a playgroup. Finding like-minded mamas has been so meaningful for both me and my daughter. We share ideas, books, support, food—what more could you ask for? I realize how isolated many women are—parenting can be such a lonely act. Having a consistent group to call my own has been invaluable.

5. Google: Let me just put it this way—thanks to Google, I now know what a Lotus Birth is. See—you are going to Google it, aren’t you?

6. Facebook: Oh, Facebook—how do I love thee? Let me count the ways…In all seriousness, I am continually amazed by the amount of natural parenting content on Facebook. All I have to do is “Like” a page or add a friend, and I am immediately linked into seemingly limitless information. Not too long ago, I was using Facebook to keep track of old pals’ weekend shenanigans. Now, I use Facebook to keep up with the latest in the natural parenting world. Okay, okay, I still may do some light cyber stalking.

7. La Leche League: The LLL Toddler Meeting has been really helpful in particular. I think it is really helpful to hear about a range of experiences that are situated within a parenting framework that is similar to my own. I know that when I bring up a topic at LLL, I am going to hear feedback from people who are coming from the same general space that I am. Even if there are some differences in parenting, the underlying philosophies tend to be the same.

8. A Child-Friendly City: I live in Athens, Georgia, which is known for a great music scene, a large university, and lots of bars (not necessarily in that order). What I didn’t realize before having a child was that Athens was also great for raising a family. I feel like I have a wealth of resources—a great kids’ program at the library, a fabulous conscious parenting network, several parenting centers that cater to the natural set, an active breastfeeding community, a vibrant homeschooling culture, a farmer’s market, and more. If you know where to go, natural parents can find lots of folks to chat with about cloth diapers, nursing, doulas, and more. I know I am really lucky to live in such a place, and I have truly enjoyed getting to know a different side of the town!

9. A Supportive Co-Parent: My co-parent happens to be my husband, Luke. He is so supportive and has really been willing to join me on the journey towards natural parenting. Nothing melts the heart more than watching your burly husband enthusiastically use Baby Signs in the middle of a crowded restaurant or defend my nursing in public or boast about the merits of co-sleeping. Alexandra is really lucky to have him as a Daddy, and I am proud to have him as a husband. Okay, mushy stuff over.

10. A Great Family: My daughter and husband are fantastic, but I am also referring to my extended family. Okay, so my mom isn’t crazy about the nursing in public thing (yet) and my mother-in-law might not totally be convinced about the “try to avoid the word ‘no’” bit, but I think that we are slowly yet surely revealing the magic of natural parenting. I would like to believe that our families see that even though we are doing things a little differently, we aim for every action and utterance to be filled with love, empathy, and peace.

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

 

 

  • Choosing to Breastfeed — From selfishness to self-giving, CatholicMommy at Working to be Worthy lists reasons why breast is best for her and her family.

 

 

 

  • Top 10 Nursing Positions / Situations — Momma Jorje uses her 5½ years of nursing experience to share her Top 10 Nursing Positions/Situations. She includes some adorable photos of her youngest daughter at the breast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Top 10 Ways to Know You Are a Natural Parent — So what makes us “natural parents,” anyway? A lighthearted look at the Top 10 Ways to Know You Are a Natural Parent by the editors and readers of Natural Parents Network.

 

 

 

 

  • 10 Lessons in 1 Year — Abbie at Farmer’s Daughter shares 10 parenting lessons that she has learned throughout her first year of motherhood.

 

  • My Top Ten Parenting Tools — Amyables at Toddler In Tow names the top ten tools that have been helpful to her while learning to parent respectfully and successfully.

 

 

 

  • Top 10 Reasons to Co-Sleep — 10 practical, emotional, and completely selfish reasons to co-sleep and share a family bed from Lily, aka Witch Mom.

 

 

 

  • Top 10 Ways to Avoid a Time-Out — If you are uncomfortable using time-outs in an attempt to control your child’s behavior, try one of these gentler alternatives. Dionna at Code Name: Mama shares her Top 10 Ways to Avoid a Time-Out.

 

  • Top 10 Breastfeeding Misconceptions — Sheila at A Gift Universe examines ten reasons women give for why they didn’t breastfeed as long as they wanted, and shows how these obstacles can be overcome.

 

  • Postpartum Gift Ideas — Alicia at I Found My Feet suggests a top 10 list of gifts for mother’s after giving birth.

 

 

 

 

 

  • My Top 10 Parenting Scriptures — Dulce de leche is learning to integrate faith and parenting. Whether it is breastfeeding, babywearing, comforting her children, or gentle discipline, she finds that the Bible has beautiful passages to encourage her on her journey.
  • Ten Great Spring Activities To Do With Preschoolers — Kellie at Our Mindful Life and her family have come up with a great list of activities to do together this spring.

 

 

 

  • 10 Ways to Reuse Yogurt Containers — Acacia at Fingerpaint & Superheroes keeps the stacks of yogurt containers out of her recycling bin by reusing them in both practical and creative ways.

 

 

  • Simply what it looks like — Andrea!!! from Ella-Bean & Co. offers a glimpse into natural parenting through the eyes of mama and babe.

 

 

  • My Top Ten Shows Worthy Of Screen Time — Tree at Mom Grooves shares her top ten list of shows that she believes are positive, educational, kind, joyful, and a nice way to share some downtime with your children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Ten Reasons to Plan a Home Birth — Since a home birth can be an incredibly empowering experience, Leslie at Lights and Letters outlines ten reasons why you should plan to have your baby at home.

 

 

 

 

 

  • Must Read: Natural Parenting Top Ten — Amy at Anktangle wants you to do a little reading! She shares her top ten favorite books to help parents prepare for pregnancy, birth, and parenting.

 

 

  • Going Granola — Tashmica from The Mother Flippin’ Blog describes the 10 ways that natural parenting sneaked up on her. She never expected to go all granola on the world.

 

 

  • A Top Ten Letter To Me… — Kat at Loving {Almost} Every Moment writes herself a letter of reflections and bits of wisdom she would have liked to know as a new mama.

 

 

 

  • Ten Fundamentals — Seonaid at The Practical Dilettante gets philosophical with a list of the fundamentals that drive her natural parenting.

 

 

 

 

 

  • Top 10 Flower Essences for Families — Kim of Nature Baby Bloggings lists her pick of the top ten flower essence which can help ease families through the ups and downs of life.

 

  • 10 Family Systems and Routines That Work for Us — See what routines, organizational systems, and parenting approaches work for Kristin at Intrepid Murmurings to help avoid conflict and maintain sanity in a family with three young children.