Mommy Wars

One of my "friends" posted a pseudo scientific article (I am not posting the link) on FB about how it's ok to let babies cry themselves to sleep. The article attests that this form of "sleep training" is not in any way damaging!! W.T.F. I got so pissed at reading such FALSE INFORMATION that I actually wrote a simple response: this is so wrong.

I got the regular feedback "it may not work for you but it worked for us" "after 5 months I wanted time for myself" "there is no black and white answer" blah blah bull shit. First of all, this method didn't work for me because I would never ever do that to my baby. After 5 months?! What the hell!!!! Your poor baby was left to cry it out at 5 months!? Wow, that's great parenting. Just FYI, most (good) moms don't sleep for years. Yes when it comes to parenting there is a lot of grey but I'm sorry there is RIGHT and there is WRONG, especially when it comes to intimidation, abuse and neglect. I didn't actually write any of this; even so, I think I offended her and her supporters bc I was called "insulting" in a PM. I didn't respond, just unfriended. Biatch!  

This is not the first time that I've been seriously offended by something posted on FB (coincidently the mother who posted that Scary Mommy article wrote a comment how she too let her baby cry himself to sleep). I'm trying to not take things to heart or get depressed when I see kids with no structure, acting up, eating junk, being intimidated by their parents... But it's hard not to be sensitive! I once got so offended by a picture of a 15 month old drinking and iced cappuccino that I unfriended that mother immediately.

I've decided it's ok to judge other parents. It also feels good to speak up from time to time... Let the mommy wars begin!

Mother

I Survived

I survived!! After 2 days of fresh juice, fresh air and yoga I feel good! It's going to take a lot more to cure my sugar and coffee addiction but still, I feel like it's possible now. I'm optimistic, lighter and slightly more spiritual. I bring back a sense of calm and a love for wheatgrass!

Change is Hard!!

After years of losing feeling in my extremities (several times a day!), headaches, diarrhea, fatigue, general stiffness, sore muscles and countless tests, Drs say I have a chronic auto-immune disease that may or may not (50% chance) develop into "something serious". The chance that I'll be fine is comforting, but my symptoms over the past 2 years have been getting progressively worse and I don't feel fine. Besides my own antibodies attacking my healthy cells, stress is a contributing factor, as is diet.

I've internalized a lot of stress over the past 3 years. There's a test you can take that assess your stress level. Mine is at 518  ... Not good.  Exercise is a good way to manage stress and help with my joints, muscles, lungs and blood flow. I used to exercise ALL THE TIME. I was strong and couldn't go more than 2 days without doing something sweat related. Now I'm lucky if I can go to my yoga class 1-2 times a month! I've lost weight, muscle and will power.

I've read that auto immune diseases can be controlled with proper (restrictive) diet: no gluten, no sugar, no coffee, no alcohol, no dairy, no chemicals (organic only please), no processed foods, no fried yumminess. This paleo type of diet is difficult when you're a vegetarian! Being addicted to caffeine and chocolate doesn't help either. Like major addicted people.

Change is hard. I have to re-learn how to put on my running shoes. I have to give up my morning coffee and manage cravings without shooting somebody... It seems overwhelming and I honestly don't know if I can do it!

Next week I'm going to a cleansing yoga retreat to reset my body. No sugar, caffeine or alcohol 7 days leading up to the weekend, only fresh fruits and veggies 2 days before, then 3 days of yoga, seminars and only fresh juice (3 times a day). I plan to relax, stretch, (complain), and hopefully come home to a new lifestyle. I'll keep you posted...