Monday, February 20, 2006

Where were they all my life?

I've met some truly amazing, beautiful women since I've given birth to my two sons. I have learned so much from these women, and have shared in the heart soaring and the heart breaking moments of child rearing. I wish I would have known them before I started this mothering odessey. If only I knew *then* what I know now! I am so respectful of the mamas that learned and *got it* (i.e. attachment parenting and natural living) before having kids. I was not completely ignorant before giving birth. I read the readily available and popular books that were out there to read. I read magazines and spoke to other women. Mainstream everything. How was I to know the *real* way to give life?

Not until I held baby Will in my arms did I discover that everything I ever learned about parenting/children/birth was so against a mother's instinct. Well, at least this mother's. I started the journey then and have really enjoyed my own personal growth over the last few years. I wish, wish, wish I would have *got it* sooner. If only I would have read a Mothering magazine instead of Parenting. If only I had gone to LLL BEFORE Will was born instead of months after. I'm not agonzing over this, I'm not beating myself up about it. Its just a shame, really, that this kind of parenting is so "out there." Cause its more real than anything I've ever lived before.

3 comments:

Sarah said...

I'm thankful every day that I stumbled across the ideas of attachment parenting and natural living. The way our culture is, it's so easy to miss it, and I definitely think we are among the lucky ones. Snuggling with Emma all night every night, extended nursing, etc., are so important to me...I don't feel like I would be a complete mother to Emma without those things, if that makes any sense. They may not be for everyone, but they are ESSENTIAL to us.

Catherine said...

Jaime, Sarah and OF COURSE Julie!!!

Isn't it just so meaningful to be a good momma WITH other good mommas!? I mean, I'm all about doing it anyway, but doing it together and having a place like this to read how others are doing it really motivates me. Thank you for posting your feelings about being a parent and learning ...and the path itself. I adore you all:)

Omelay said...

this post resonates in me, but i have also just left them behind... we are keeping in touch via the internet but it is sad to not see them anymore...

i wonder if i will ever meet new mama soulmates?