Good Answers to Tough Questions
Terry CarsonThere is so much in the media that that makes kids believe that the world is a scary place. Whether its reports on tornadoes or a shooting spree at a school, children can be easily shaken by these frightening events. And parents can feel overwhelmedwhen kids ask toughquestions that speak to those fears such asAre we safe atschool? orDo we live in a tornado zone? Dr.PaulColeman, inhis bookH...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkBreastfeeding is for Lazy Women
Jenn HardyBreastfeeding is for lazy women. Too lazy to do dishes? Breastfeeding means you dont have to wash bottles. Food preparation a drag? Theres no need to boil water and mix in the powder when you breastfeed. Dont want to find somewhere to warm a bottle when youre out? You dont have to when you breastfeed. Just pull the milk warmer out of your bra. Cant be bothered to do de...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkR-e-s-p-e-c-t for Baby and Me!
Jenn HardyThe other day someone told me I was all peace, love and everyones free to do their own thing unless it differs from your own beliefs. She was specifically speaking of how I act towards other mothers. It hurt, mostly because I thought it could be true. I spent a few days rolling it around in my mind. I observed it while I reacted to certain situations. I considered it during meditation in y...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkThere Were Three in Bed...
Jenn HardyThere were three in the bed and the little one said, Im happy My baby is three months old and not only do we still co-sleep, we also bed share. Just yesterday we even went so far as to upgrade our double bed to a Queen. I wanted a bigger bed anyways and now the little Princess has even more room to stretch out her arms (and so do her parents.) I havent been too upfront about our bed s...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkAnd You Thought That Was Bad
Jenn HardyI havethrush. Most breastfeeding mamas get it at some point or another, and now its my turn. Baby was fussing at the breast most feedings for a couple days, and I blamed the bottle. This three-month-old went from breast to bottle tonipple shieldback to breast, so a little confusion when we tried to give her bottle once in a while wasnt so surprising. But then I started putting the pie...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkMy Baby Must-Have List
Jenn HardyI dont consider myself a materialistic person. My concern for the environment is enough for me to usually choose to buy second-hand goods whenever possible. My friends call me Hand-me-down Hardy. We havent bought a whole lot since baby came along and when we do, we certainly dont head to Babies R Us to buy it new. Kijiji has been great to us. So have family and friends. While I may no...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkShield Be Gone!
Jenn HardyAlas, our breastfeeding troubles are almost over! It has been 24 hours+ since I last used my trusty nipple shield. A couple of weeks ago, we had visited Deborah van Wyck, the Lactation Consultant who has been helping us since the babys first week of life. She just wont recognize my bare nipple! I sobbed. I thought I would never be able towean baby from the nipple shield. I was co...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkNipple Confusion
Jenn HardyIts 9:48 p.m. Do you know where your baby is? Attached to my boob. The baby is attached to my boob from 8pm to around 11pm every single night. What happens when I take her off? All Hell breaks loose. They call it fussy evenings. They sayshes cluster feeding. Its her new thing. You know what? I dont even mind because the trade-off is awesome. Most of the time, after 4 hours of snac...
Read more...CategoriesMom Talk"Let" Daddy Do It!
Jenn HardyIn 2011, we are lucky. Much luckier than our mothers were. While we might have more pressure (from society or ourselves) to finish school and get a career, we also have more help. And most fathers get paternity leave! I wont make a blanket statement, but in general, most Papas are around in the first few weeks (at least) to take part in childcare. Some women (myself included) are even luck...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkWearing My Baby
Jenn HardyWhen I spent a few months travelling in South America, I saw so many lovely things. Exotic animals, the rainforest, coffee trees and mountains. One of the coolest things I saw, however, was the women of Ecuador and Peru carrying their babies everywhere they went. And they worked while they did it baby strapped tightly to them with a colorful fabric. I wish I had bought one of those baby c...
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Let's Talk About Sleep, Baby
Jenn HardyHow do we parent our babies to sleep? My baby is a good baby. A baby that sleeps and rarely cries. She smiles big non-gas-induced smiles. My baby i...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkConquering the "Fear Gremlin"
Terry CarsonIts quite common for children to have fears. Some dont like climbing up the jungle gym at the park. Some dont like the water and refuse to go swimming. Other...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkHow could I complain?
Jenn HardyIt looks like this breastfeeding thing is going to work out. So with all the difficulties I had feeding my baby in the first few weeks, it would be pretty si...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkA Few Days After Labor
Jenn HardyIm a mother and I have little time! Point form update for inquiring minds: - I love being a mother - Michel and I have a system that works and allow...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkNatural Induction. How's That for an Oxymoron?
Jenn HardyA week past our due date, and Ive decided to up the ante on helping this labor progress. I just came back from my first-ever appointment with an acupuncturis...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkSerenity NOW!
Jenn HardyDear Child, You have overstayed your welcome in my womb. I realize that you might have my sense of direction and youre a little confused right now, but ...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkMaybe My OB/GYN Isn't Evil
Jenn HardyToday was the best appointment with the OBGYN I have had so far. I received all kinds of good news today. She said my baby got an Olympic 8/8 on her ult...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkBaby Bump, I'll Miss You
Jenn HardyThe other day a friend, whose wife is seven months pregnant with their second kid, asked if I was at that point yet? The point, he said, I would get to when ...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkNesting
Jenn HardyWhen I first became pregnant, I updated this blog most days. With just over a month to go, I certainly have even more legit things to write about than I did ...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkWell, Hello There Baby.
Jenn HardyI had another ultrasound yesterday. Why? No reason. Just standard hospital procedure at 32 weeks. But Im glad I went. They automatically scheduled me, and th...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkPoo-Pooing Cloth Diapers
Jenn HardyWhy do you hate cloth diapers so? Why does the fact that we are choosing to use them bother you? Its only parents that have decided to use disposab...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkOne More Gripe About my Midwife
Jenn HardyIm not complaining about my midwife. I dont even have a midwife. Im griping (probably) for the last time because I do not have a midwife. Anyone who kno...
Read more...CategoriesMeditation | Mom TalkWhat's Anterior Placenta and Where's my Baby?
Jenn HardyIve been pretty good with self-diagnosis. Mike regularly tells me to stop, as he can see all the searches on the Internet stress me out more than anything! W...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkJoke of the Day
Terry CarsonWhy we love children.... Nudity: I was driving with my three kidson a warm summers evening whenthe woman in theconvertible ahead of us stood up and wave...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkThe Ultrasound Debate
Jenn HardyAre ultrasounds dangerous? Are they necessary? Did you have one? We spent 20 weeks, with only wild imaginings of what our little sprog looks like. We had...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkCamping, Pregnancy and Pesticides
Jenn HardyI recently took an amazingly romantic camping trip to Canadas East Coast with the man who, on that trip, becamemy fiance. We drove from Montreal to Maine and...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkI Found My Doula
Jenn HardyIve known fromDay One that I wanted a Doula. My first choice was a midwife in a birthing center for a water birth. Thats just what I have always wanted. I ne...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkGetting Kids to Read
Terry CarsonMany parents ask me how to get their kids to read more. In todays world of computer games and television, it can feel like a daunting task. Here are some tip...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkPicky Eaters
Terry CarsonAre you struggling with any of the following? All my child wants to eat is pasta, peanut butter and cereal. My child is not open to trying new food...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkMoods Are Catchy
Terry CarsonDo you ever notice that your kids act up when you're having a bad day? If you are down in the dumps it's not unusual for kids to be affected by it. F...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkVacationing with the Extended Family
Terry CarsonSummer holidays can be fun and relaxing however when grown-up siblings get together they can be anything but relaxing. Tensions can easily arise if parenting st...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkBeware of Giving Kids Too Much Choice
Terry CarsonMost parenting experts agree that giving children choices helps them to develop independence. The more choices you give, the more their sense of self grows. But...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkTV and Toddlers Don't Mix
Terry CarsonA new study from Australia has come out recommending that children under 2 years of age not be permitted to watch TV or use other electronic media including DVD...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkEtiquette For Dating When You Have Kids
Terry CarsonIt's not easy for parents to introduce a new friend to their child when they start dating. Kids can feel threatened when a love interest comes into the lif...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkSimple Fixes for Bad Behaviors
Terry CarsonQ: I don't think I'm much different from many moms out there. I struggle with staying calm when my kids push my buttons. I yell, threaten, over explai...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkKids Should Sleep on Their Own
Terry CarsonQ: I've recently separated from my wife. I'm living in a one-bedroom apartment and my two-year-old daughter sleeps with me because she is afraid to be...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkMothers Masquerade: Masking Your Feelings Can Lead to Stress
Andrea PageHave you ever found yourself telling other moms what a great day you had when, in fact, you didn't? Have you ever talked about your partner in a loving wa...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkMeaningful Minutes: Why Every Second Counts
Andrea PageI'm not sure if it's my ill-equipped parenting skills, but this idea of perfect balance has never been an outcome of any of my parenting plans. I am ...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkPrenatal Nutrition Basics
Andrea PageSome basics to help you mammas with your pregnancy munchies! In the first trimester, you need an additional 100 calories on top of the base 1800–2400 calories e...
Read more...CategoriesMom TalkOne-Minute Comfort Measures
Andrea PageBirth partners, especially dads, do well when support or comfort measures are listed in bite size chunks. Here is a simple list for your birth bag that can be y...
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