Monday, May 21, 2012

Footprints

I don't want to write too much, because it is not my story to share, but a close relative has been in and out of the hospital with her baby since he was born in february. He just had his second open heart surgery this morning.

When our babies cry for 24 hours straight, or refuse to sleep, or throw up in our mouths when we are kissing them, or poop all over those nice white pants, or throw cereal on the floor and then purposely hit us in the face with her toy phone ( ahem...that would be my baby) just feel lucky.  Babies are supposed to do those things. Mommies are supposed to be exhausted from night time feedings, and colicky babies, not from being in the hospital because their baby is in surgery.

We need to say a million prayers for the mothers who have gone to hell and back for their babies, big and small. I've been sitting here with a knot in my stomach all day. I can't imagine how she feels and I am not going to pretend to. Did I cry when Georgia was a newborn? Yes. But I was crying for myself because it was hard. It seems so stupid now. I guess that is what I want to say. Like, what was the big deal? My baby was being a baby and doing normal baby things. I almost feel guilty.

The mother and the baby I am thinking about were meant to be together. She is his mother because she is strong, and someone knew he was going to need her from the minute he was born. They are very lucky to have each other,  and their story is just beginning. There isn't much for me to do except offer my prayers,  and admire her strength. This is what parenting is about.  Being selfless. She hasn't complained once. She is a great role model for us all.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Time after Time

I really want to ignore the new TIME magazine cover, but I can't. My uneasiness has nothing to do with mommy wars, attachment parenting, not feeling "mom enough", or extended breastfeeding. I just can't help thinking about that little boy. Why would his mother put him in the middle of such controversy? Yes. The photo is controversial.  A MILF in tight pants with perky boobs and her large three year old son standing on a stool breastfeeding is not a natural or nurturing comment on breastfeeding or attachment parenting. It's awkward and confusing.

Also, why does she have to be sexy? That is not to say that moms can't be sexy. But one of the things our country struggles with regarding breastfeeding is how sexualized breasts are. Many people can't move past  "OMG BOOBS!"that when they see a woman breastfeeding in public. They see it as dirty or gross or weird. This picture is weird and stupid, so great job to TIME magazine for making a joke out of attachment parenting. And shame on this mother for putting her child in the middle of it.