Aware Mothers's topics - tribe.net

Boosting a child's Immune System

wildsagexo — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 02:14:39 GMT

My 8 year old son seems healthy. He eats amazing food, would rather be outside than in, and knows his body well....(sleeps 8-12 hours a night, stretches to keep his muscles healthy, knows why he needs to drink lots of water and always wears his sunblock) He's great! However, he gets sick alot! Colds, sore throat, fevers, coughs that seem to go on forever. I need to find ways that I can boost his immune system. He has daily vitamins, emergen-c, and he'll even drink Noni juice and wheatgrass whenever I give it to him. Does anyone have any suggestions, what am I missing in his diet that can keep these colds and flues away?

posted in Aware Mothers - 3 replies

Tetanus Vaccine without Pertussus

Earthdancer — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:24:33 GMT

Hi all. So, I have scheduled a Dr. appointment for my son, for tomorrow, to check into getting the Diptheria/tetanus shot, without Pertussus included. He has only had one vaccine in his life (he's 3 1/2). It was DTaP...and he has an extreme reaction. Thank goodness he's okay now, but it was scary.
So, anyhow....he's a farm kid, and I think he should have the tetanus round...if nothing else. Does anyone else have experience with the DT vaccine? Recommendations? Information? Thanks and Blessings.

posted in Aware Mothers - 32 replies

birth petition

Grandma — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:45:20 GMT

Tell your legislators to just say NO to the AMA. Mothers and their own caregivers don't need to be forced to birth how and where the AMA says:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/birthathome/index.html

posted in Aware Mothers - 1 reply

hero bags

aitche — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:22:40 GMT

found on flyer slipped under my shop door this afternoon : www.herobags.com

posted in Aware Mothers - 6 replies

Is this a private tribe?

treja — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:42:58 GMT

Or is it public? I have questions to ask but dont want to post them publically for anyone.

THanks!

posted in Aware Mothers - 3 replies

a good site for mothers...

gliSTenz — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:17:54 GMT

There is some really informative helpful natural information here for all sorts of womanly things...

www.susunweed.com

For preparation into motherhood and also for embracing the crone...

posted in Aware Mothers - 2 replies

You know you were raised by hippies when...

Freyaphrodite — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:32:09 GMT

You know you were raised by hippies when...

* Your name is Sensamailia, Spitfire, Rainbow, Coriander, Aster, Peach Fuzz, or the like.
* As a child, a nutritious after school snack consisted of your parents "stems and seeds" found on a tray on the living room table.
* the jungle of house plants, next to the television, served not only as a good hiding place for hide and seek when you were a kid, but they smelled nice too, especially when they were cut and hung to dry.
* when your parents tried to rid you of lice the "natural way," and none of the herbal remedies worked, they decided that the next best choice was to shave your head... which within it's self is fine, but the photos of you running bare ass naked and completely balled, resembling one of the aliens from Close Encounters, is a keepsake that's been shared with company one too many times!
* instead of time outs or spankings, your punishment for missbehaving as a child was to do yoga poses and excercise out the "negative energy"

Okay folks.... add to the list... when I thinnk of more I will post them. This should be fun!

posted in Aware Mothers - 22 replies

Info about vaccination bill in NYS

Miss Vicky — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:42:14 GMT

I just received this e-mail from my homeopath originally from the New York Center for Homeopathy.
---
Hello all....
This is for real and requires your immediate response. Please send this to anyone you know, especially in NY State, and make the calls today - time is of the essence as this bill (below) has been fast-tracked and we only have until June 10th, 2008!!! If you know anyone else who is opposed to mandatory vaccinations please send them this. If they live outside of New York just tell the representative that you live in the State or use a family member's address in NY - if this law passes in NY it will be your state next as NY is a bellweather state for these kinds of bills!

I called both offices. It takes literally two seconds. Just tell them you are calling about the vaccine bill.. and say you are opposed to
Assembly Bill 10942 and in favor of A5468/S3031.
Governor David Paterson (518) 474-8390
Speaker Sheldon Silver (518) 455-3791

Call Today to Stop Worst Vaccine Bill Ever in New York
<http://capwiz.com/a-champ/issues/alert/?alertid=11428606&queueid=2027235116

Take Action!

ALL FEDERAL SHOTS WILL BECOME MANDATORY

Act now to stop the worst vaccine law ever proposed in New York since the invention of the mandatory schedule. Assembly Bill 10942 would make all vaccines recommended by the CDC mandatory for all children to attend
school and, and for the first time vaccines would become mandatory for infants
and toddlers.

The bill was introduced in Rules Committee at the request of Richard Daines, the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health. The Rules Committee in the personal committee of the Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver
(D-Manhattan).

A-CHAMP is calling for rejection of this bill and is demanding the passage of A5468/S3031, a bill that would give individuals a right to a
philosophical exemption from vaccine mandates. This is no time to transfer vaccine decisions away from individuals and elected officials answerable to the voters and give it to obscure bureaucrats with financial ties to the vaccine industry.

Here are a few features of the proposed bill:
* Our elected New York representatives would no longer determine the
mandatory schedule of vaccines to attend school; decisions made by the
federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices would automatically
become mandatory.

* All children, infants and toddlers included, in New York would be
required to get all vaccines recommended by the ACIP according to the ACIP
schedule

* All children in New York up to age 18 would be required to get annual
flu shots.

* All girls in New York would be required to get a human papilloma
virus
shot.

* All junior high school children and college students would be
required
to get meningococcal shots.

* Doctors would be required to issue certificates for every shot given
and parents would be required to maintain the records and provide them to
school and other authorities.

* The rules committee claims that the new laws would have no fiscal
impact on the state despite the necessity of the state to spend tens of
millions on purchasing new vaccines, a vast increase in mandatory record
keeping and enforcement for schools, and a huge increase that could be
expected in the number of cases of neurological damage, Guillian Barré
syndrome and other vaccine-caused injuries.

We only have a few weeks to defeat this bill. Let your Assemblymember and State Senator know immediately that a vote for this bill guarantees that you will do everything you can to get them un-elected. In addition to emailing and calling your local representatives, please call Speaker Sheldon Silver and let his staff know, politely, that this is a disastrous idea. While
you are at it please call Governor David Paterson and let his staff know, politely, that this is a horrible law.

Governor David Paterson (518) 474-8390
Speaker Sheldon Silver (518) 455-3791

posted in Aware Mothers - 3 replies

Time for Self Love?

MamaMoon — Mon, 26 May 2008 04:59:47 GMT

Hola Lovely Mamas (and some Papas too).

For the last year I have been teaching this wonderful class on Self Love. Originally it was something I had intended for mothers in particular because as a mother myself, I found that Self Love has been a key component to staying healthy, whole and sometimes just staying sane. If I start to slide on taking care of myself, then my parenting starts to slide too. And although the class participants now include people from all walks of life, I have realized recently that I really enjoy working with and still feel very called to reach out to other mothers. So hopefully some of you who live here in Los Angeles will feel called to join in and take part of what could be my last class here ( I am mostly likely moving to Portland at the end of summer and will be teaching there).

Here is the information:

LIVING LIFE FROM CENTER

The intention of this class is to bring centering and healing into your life through the radical act of SELF LOVE. Often we go through our lives without fully realizing how often we are living through the lens of Self Hate. We are so used to depreciating our own value that we don't even see that we are doing it. And when we slide into Self Hate, we often slide into situations in our lives that cause further chaos and perpetuate the feelings of loneliness, abandonment, desperation, being scared or being less than the perfect people we would like to be. Through bringing SELF LOVE into your life you can begin to see another path. A path that is aligned with feeling joy, completeness, trust, support and appreciation, in short feeling like you are in Love with life and with yourself.

This is a 12 week class where we will use reading, journaling, guided meditation, drawing, discussion, self expression, movement and sounding to uncover the person inside of us who truly is Lovable and worthy of Love.

Details:

Monday nights from 7 - 10 pm for 12 weeks beginning on June 2nd.

Price: email me or call me to discuss.

It is my great honor and joy to be on this path in myself and to be able to hold space for others on their own personal journey of Self Love.

May the road ahead of you be filled with Ecstatic Fulfillment.

Heather Schwarz
heather@birthingspirit.com
www.birthingspirit.com/journeys (blog)

posted in Aware Mothers - 1 reply

i am freaking out

amanda — Sun, 25 May 2008 02:50:50 GMT

my son showed me a lump on his neck tonight
it is round and hard and moves, he says when i feel it it hurts a little....
it is sat. i can't talk to a doc until tues.....my husband isn't home to hear me and comfort my worries......
maybe i am over reacting, but maybe not! i am freaking out...

posted in Aware Mothers - 3 replies

A mom's poignant story.

Leslee — Mon, 19 May 2008 21:29:57 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQW23XCmOCw

This is especially outrageous, when you consider that, the latest studies show that SSRI drugs work for only a very small percent of people.

http://theeffexoractivist.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2296

This mom is not the only one, by far.

www.ssristories.com/index.php

posted in Aware Mothers - 5 replies

consequences/discipline

gliSTenz — Thu, 08 May 2008 22:47:38 GMT

how do you teach your children in regards to behaviour that is not acceptable?

posted in Aware Mothers - 2 replies

Just out of curiousity...

Freyaphrodite — Mon, 19 May 2008 04:31:31 GMT

I have met many women that have said that they knew 100% when they conceived because they physicaly felt "different" in their bellies directly after love making or within 24 hours of the act. I have know all three times without question! I am curiouse as to how many women actually have this phenomenon... please respond... I think it would be interesting to start a pole.
T

posted in Aware Mothers - 9 replies

new kids' and maternity clothing swap tribe with a conscience

H.P. Meow Meow Meow — Tue, 13 May 2008 03:30:11 GMT

http://tribes.tribe.net/8ff21aaa-f269-4bab-afce-01ff02729189

posted in Aware Mothers - 0 replies

Doctor's advice...

VictorianGoverness — Fri, 09 May 2008 18:14:28 GMT

Hi all,
I'm new to this tribe, my son Kiran is 14 months old. We just moved to Concord (CA) and I found a new pediatrician who I thought would be fine, but boy was I wrong. Because he was only 18 pounds just after a year, she seemed pretty alarmed and wanted to run all kinds of tests. I resisted and told her that I thought it was just because of his genetics (his daddy and I are both underweight). She disagreed and had me come back every three weeks and see a physical therapist to teach him how to eat more without my help. He has since learned to self-feed and she still isn't happy, as he only gained a few ounces. I really don't see a problem--he is proportionate to his height, and has tons of energy. I was the same size at his age and have struggled all my life to gain weight.

So--do any of you have recommendations for some good, supportive pediatricians in Concord/Walnut Creek/Pleasant Hill? I'd love to take him to a homeopath for his well-checks, but insurance doesn't cover that and we're on a tight budget. She also strongly recommended that I stop nursing him because he is a year old. Umm...WOW. That's when I knew I had to switch doctors.

posted in Aware Mothers - 7 replies

how to get him to drink from a babycup?

Saskia — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:28:23 GMT

Hi, I hope anyone here knows what I am talking about and has some good ideas for me. My little man (7 months) refuses to take a bottle or a training cup for babes.... He drinks out of bottles that are ment for bikers or out of a normal cup for adults. But of course when we go out this is not that easy. I nurse him and want to keep on nursing, so he has this option, too. But I am wondering if there isn't a way or a trick to get him to use a babycup?

posted in Aware Mothers - 9 replies

Question

Pierced Goddess — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:23:49 GMT

Hi Moms, I'm not sure if this the right tribe to ask this question. We have been trying to conceive, last night I bled during our Mommy and Daddy private time. I have never bled from intercourse. I am rather concerned, is it old age, might I be pregnant? I am not longer bleeding now.

Any help, ideas, info would be greatly appreciated.

posted in Aware Mothers - 3 replies

From One Mother To Another

Naomi — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 23:12:54 GMT

Hello,

I recently started a non profit with my sister. We just launched our web site is www.from1mother2another.com. I would love any feedback!

posted in Aware Mothers - 6 replies

Disfunctional Sleeping Situation.... please help!

maggie — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:37:12 GMT

Well, maybe disfunctional is a bit harsh but here is the situation. My daughter Nola and I co sleep. She is 2 years old and we are weaning breastfeeding right now. My husband sleeps on the couch most nights and this is fine (he snores and stays up really late). My milk supply has decreased to the point were I am barely producing milk but at night when she wants to nurse both her and I find ourselves frustrated. So when she fusses then Papa comes and takes her to the couch and she snuggles with him until she falls back asleep and then he puts her back in bed with me.

I guess my problem is the fact that I am getting so frustrated when she wants to nurse and I know there is no milk flowing and then it really starts to hurt my breast/nipple. And to make things even more difficult we are moving in a couple of weeks and Papa will not be with us for 3 weeks. So I am having anxiety already that she and I are not going to get good sleep for those 3 weeks. My question I guess is, do I stop weaning until we are settled after the move and hope that my millk supply increases? Are there other mamas out there that let there children nurse when they know they are not getting any milk? Any advise suggestion is much appreciated

posted in Aware Mothers - 6 replies

Doula Training

demetria — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 08:53:01 GMT

Hi all. Kara Spencer is teaching a class in Bend Oregon, a doula training.
If you know anyone who would be interested please pass the information on.

Birth Arts International Doula Workshop
Bend Birth Center
Bend, Oregon
May 2, 3 & 4, 2008
Email: kara@birtharts.com
Phone: 541-520-0681
Fee: $350
Contact Kara Spencer to Register

posted in Aware Mothers - 0 replies

Are pappies welcomed here?

Alexyana — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:22:32 GMT

I got a nice welcoming at the post pardom Mommas tribe upon a momma inviting me there, they even changed the title to post pardon mommas and pappas..and there where alot of mommas very delighted to have a few dads, including myself..

or so I thought..

Next day I get kicked out cold turkey.
Apparently there was secret talks that i was not welcomed by a few Mommas that apparently disliked me from an unique clash I had in the Extreme Honesty Tribe, where alot of sharp elbows hang out (several mommas and many more feel the same as I do about the Extreme honesty tribe). I can see how they might not like me based on that unique experience..although I was at worse annoying never disrespectful...and hardly communicated with them...i was surpriced at how strongly they felt about me.

So they expelled me cold turkey. Imagine getting excluded like this after a warm reception?

I would like to know if I am welcomed, as a Dad, to this tribe.. or should I best leave before some of these same momma's organize a secret extradition?

I am just concerned that if I am expelled here, I will have a hard time dismissing these experiences whenever I ran across moms groups.

I hope you can empathize with my situation here.

I conside myself a compassionate person.. aware parenthood is something I inspire and am In many respects. I am a dad of two twin girls (1 month old).

From where I come from, I am neither only a male, or only a female, I am neither and I am both--it's a vajrayana buddhist thing. This is why I feel fine being in groups such as this.

So I would kindly ask you: Am I welcomed as a Dad, as a human, here?

posted in Aware Mothers - 27 replies

E/C Babies (elimination communication) is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!

~crisea~ — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 02:38:47 GMT

Okay, my son is 9 months old and he went pee pee on the potty 8 times yesterday and went poop this morning.
i went to an e/c meeting just 2 days ago. i got my baby a baby bjorn potty and it is great. it is contoured so he can sit by himself in it and it even has a little splash guard. the first time this worked was after a nap (all babies need to go after a nap) i sat him on the potty and he peed. it was so awesome. i was so proud of him. since then, ive been watching for signals from him etc. we arent catching every pee, but most!

most people start babies from birth...i thought it was maybe too late but its not! youve gotta try this!

posted in Aware Mothers - 18 replies

help, advice needed

tamitha_meadow — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 03:42:22 GMT

Hi everyone

I have been a lurking member here for a long time, but have never posted. I am just wondering if I can get some feedback and advice (okay maybe just some commiseration) about this situation.

My 7 year old son Terran has been spending the school year with his dad in Toronto, a 5 hour flight from where I live in Victoria, BC. This basically happened because I was going through a lot of difficulties with Terran's behaviour and with my new partner and I made the mistake of asking his dad if he wanted to have Terran go there for a year in the midst of an emotional meltdown. I pretty much backtracked right away and told him I thought it was a bad idea, but he started threatening me with court and I didn't want a big battle so I let him go. To make sure it was only a year, I drew up a consent order for the court stating that this was an extended visit and that nothing in the agreement would change the fact that terran's primary residence was with me. His dad was supposed to sign it and send it back for me to file with the court, but instead, he sent me a scanned emailed copy and kept stalling on sending me the hard copy. By then Terran was already out there, so there wasn't much I could do, so finally I got a lawyer to make sure he sticks to the agreement.

Anyway, in the meantime, my partner and I decided it was time to start trying for a baby, only we were too good at it and got pregnant the first try (we figured since we were on birth control, it would take a while to work. Apparently not). This means that the baby is due about two weeks before Terran is supposed to come home from his dad's and his dad is refusing to agree to send him home early to be there for the birth. I am so worried that if he doesn't come back before the baby and have some time to get settled in and some one on one time with me, he will be totally fucked up about the whole thing. This stupid year away has already been so hard on him (and me) already and his dad has made it impossible by not answering phone calls and being super restrictive about when Terran can talk to me, if I can get ahold of him at all. I think being there for the birth of his first and maybe only sibling is way, WAY more important than being there for the last two weeks of school. I mean really, how many of us remember the last day of grade 2, compared to the birth of a sibling if we were old enough to remember?

Anyway, what I guess would help is any research that could support my argument, a referall to any kind of expert either on parenting, child development, attachment theory or education who could write a letter of support, or just some good old fashioned emotional support. This man has made my life hell since I made the unfortunate mistake of procreating with him (actually the mistake wasn't the procreating, it was the letting him have anything to do with the product of that procreation afterward). I have tried to make sure that Terran has a good relationship with his dad, but it has just ended up being endless bullshit since the beginning. I really want to have patience and understanding, I hate having all this negative energy in me, especially while I am pregnant, but it is just such a crap ass situation, I can't help it. Anyway, thanks for the space to vent, and thanks for all the great, informative posts on other topics.

posted in Aware Mothers - 13 replies

The Underground History of American Education

Fairy — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:33:15 GMT

I just posted this same link in another discussion here, but wanted to give it its own headline so please forgive the double post. I am really excited to have found this entire book available online! This is a really radical look at education by a former school teacher, worth thinking about in my opinion. I am linking to a part of the prologue that kind of sums it up but if you click on Table of Contents you'll find the whole amazing book.

http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/underground/prologue2.htm

posted in Aware Mothers - 3 replies

The Feds concede vaccine-autism case in court

SiobhanMarie — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 20:33:26 GMT

The first domino????

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-kirby/government-concedes-vacci_b_88323.html

posted in Aware Mothers - 8 replies

Support a Family Healing Arts Center!

kara — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:34:10 GMT

I am writing to ask you to please help me to manifest my dream of creating a family healing arts center with massage, craniosacral therapy, chiropractic, midwifery, and workshops for the whole family, including infants and pregnancy.

Please vote for my hoopdancing video "Gemini Hoops" at Clipstar.com and help me to win $10,000! I am currently in 2nd place and need your help to win this contest so as to fund my dream healing arts center for pregnancy, babies, children, and adults.

http://www.clipstar.com/videopage.jsf?video=9_7002_159

I am a healing arts practitioner with 10 years experience as a massage therapist, doula, craniosacral therapist, birth educator, hoopdancer, teacher, writer, and mama...please support this project by voting for my video and sharing this with your friends! I have a space lined up, and practitioners prepared to share the office.

I am working diligently to manifest this contest as well as a microbusiness grant that will fruit next year to help the center grow. However, the space may be opening sooner than previously expected and I'm hoping to win this contest to transition this summer into the healing arts center!

Thanks!

Blessings, Kara

posted in Aware Mothers - 0 replies

Omega-3 for kids

tigertiger — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:57:07 GMT

Is anyone giving supplements to their kids? My son is 3 and I want to start him on omega-3s (or essential fatty acids). I took DHA/EPA when I was preganant and nursing and want to continue now that he is of "supplement" age.

Thanks,
karen

posted in Aware Mothers - 11 replies

Surgery

Pierced Goddess — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 03:24:57 GMT

So, my littlest one will be having surgery in May. It is an out patient thing and she will only miss two days of school. I guess I'm not really asking any questions, just venting, sharing, worrying. She had a "pit" on the side of her ear, a hole that never sealed in utero. She as she gets older it fills and becomes infected more and more often. As a baby I had put a warm compress on it and squeezed the ick out. Well, the last time she was in so much pain that she cried out in her sleep.

Yep, just venting, worrying and such....

posted in Aware Mothers - 7 replies

here are some great web links

tigertiger — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 16:41:10 GMT

on compassionate parentin--alternative parenting--fostering creativity in children--natural family living--

I found it on a website for Waldorf toys
http://www.threesisterstoys.com/t-resources.aspx

posted in Aware Mothers - 0 replies

Homeschooling setback in CA

songflowermari — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 09:12:36 GMT

This is horrible! Although I am a big advocate of the public school system, I believe that every parent has the right to be able to teach their own children at home. Please read:

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/07/MNJDVF0F1.DTL

posted in Aware Mothers - 5 replies

Teaching your children

tigertiger — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:19:39 GMT

My 3 year old came up to me and asked "Mommy how do you make your numbers?"

I was so excited! He wants to learn! We drew numbers on the chalk board, and he erased them. Later this weekend he identified the number one in a book "that's one"-- so we are making connections.

I am really interested in learning how to teach math principles. Any good ideas? Any good ideas on teaching how to make numbers too?

posted in Aware Mothers - 5 replies

Listen to the children

Luna — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:53:43 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZwyiy90X2I&feature=related

Anyone else entrusted with children like this?

posted in Aware Mothers - 1 reply

Crystal children and autism

Luna — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:50:00 GMT

http://www.thecrystalchildren.com/crystal.html

posted in Aware Mothers - 1 reply

If my last post has to many links

Leslee — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 05:21:11 GMT

Some times I over welme people with to many links.

At the very least please see this one. It is important.

One moms personal story.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQW23XCmOCw

posted in Aware Mothers - 0 replies

What do you think should be done?

Leslee — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 05:14:34 GMT

It took a freedom of information act to expose the truth. The drug makers have been hiding the negitive studies.
http://www.counterpunch.org/cox01272008.html

Now a new Study: AntiDepressants Work No Better Than Placebos for the vast majority of depressed people.
http://medicine.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.pmed.0050045

The drug makers have been out right lying about the efficacy of antidepressants.They have been caught red handed.

For the majority of people, the drugs are no better then snake oil.

If the only problem was that, the drug is a placebo for the vast majority people who have been given it, I would not care.

But it is far from the only problem!

The Physicians' Desk Reference lists the following adverse reactions (side effects) to antidepressants among a host of other physical and neuropsychiatric effects: manic reaction (mania, e.g. kleptomania, pyromania, dipsomania), emotional lability (or instability), abnormal thinking, alcohol abuse, hallucinations, hostility, lack of emotion, paranoid reaction, amnesia, confusion, agitation, delirum, delusions, hysteria, psychosis, sleep disorders, abnormal dreams, and discontinuation (withdrawal) syndrome. Adverse reactions are especially likely when starting or discontinuing the drug, increasing or lowering the dose or when switching from one SSRI to another SSRI. Adverse reactions are often diagnosed as bipolar disorder when the symptoms could be entirely iatrogenic (treatment induced). Withdrawal, especially abrupt withdrawal, from any of these medications can also cause severe neuropsychiatric and physical symptoms. It is important to withdraw extremely slowly from these drugs, usually over a period of a year or more, under the supervision of a qualified and experienced specialist.

In addition to the adverse reactions listed in the Physicians' Desk Reference, the FDA published a Public Health Advisory on March 22, 2004 which states (in part): "Anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, insomnia, irritability, hostility, impulsivity, akathisia (severe restlessness), hypomania, and mania have been reported in adult and pediatric patients being treated with antidepressants for major depressive disorder as well as for other indications, both psychiatric and nonpsychiatric."

The vast majority of school and other recent massacres have involved people going on or coming off these drugs.

Many otherwise loving parents have killed their own children wile going on or coming off these drugs.

This website is a collection of 2100+ news stories with the full media article available,
http://www.ssristories.com

I have personally witnessed some who who became scary psychotic and violent wile in withdrawal. Someone who is normally highly intelligent, gentle, kind and loving. This is a person I dearly love.

For some people the often horrendous withdrawal effects last for years after quitting.

Withdrawal effects such as Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempts, Homicidal thoughts or urges, Chest pain, racing heart, Auditory hallucinations, Visual hallucinations, Disequilibrium, Serious Headache, Numbness, burning, Electric zap-like sensations in the brain, Electric shock-like sensations in the body, Abnormal visual sensations, Spasms in the eyes, Loud ringing or other noises in the ears, Abnormal smells or tastes, Drooling, Slurred speech, Blurred vision, Muscle cramps, stiffness, twitches and much more. Most people describe it as hell.

Frequency of withdrawal reactions
Antidepressant______halflife_______Frequency of withdrawal reactions

Effexor____________5 hours_____________78%
Paxil_____________21 hours_____________66%
Zoloft____________26 hours_____________60%
Prozac___________4-6 days_____________14%

People can become completely incapacitated by SSRI withdrawal.
Reference: “The Antidepressant Solution” by Joseph Glenmullen, M.D.

Suicide, homicide, nightmare side effects all for a drug that is little more then snake oil for the majority of people.

FDA Testimonials - Suicide, Violence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdkFasjSJ_g&feature=related

One moms personal story.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQW23XCmOCw

In Memoriam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isPtIloi_0E&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni0lK4Na6VY&feature=related

What do you think should be done?

Should the drug industry be held responsible for their betrayal of the American people?

community.webshots.com/user/e...ctivist

This is my art site with lots posters on the subject.

You can learn lots more about corruption in the drug industry here.
theeffexoractivist.org

Thank you for reading this far.

posted in Aware Mothers - 0 replies

an interesting site

Lisa — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 09:08:22 GMT

I hope i am not breaking any spam rules or the like with this posting!

Hi all,

I have come across a great website on my travels and thought i would share it with you.

Qassia is an intelligence sharing website that rewards you for the intelligence ( intel ) you share by directing traffic flow to your website/websites.

They ( the Qassia team) are in the very early stages of building their data banks and NOW is the time to get yourself in there and start sharing all that knowledge that you and you alone have expertise in.

They are searching for all sorts of intel and unlike Wikipaedia and other intelligence sharing websites, YOU are the only one allowed to edit your information.

ALL intel you add to the site earns you points AND provides a direct access link back to the website of your choice.

It is being envisioned that this sight will eventually outgrow the other major intel sites.

As I mentioned, this site is in its early stages and basically, all you can do at this stage is sign up, start entering your intel, start screening other peoples intel for points and start wracking up your points.

The point is that ALL of us are very good at SOMETHING or know a lot about SOMETHING and that is what Qassia is looking for.

It is well worth looking at as a means to generate business and to get your knowledge out there.

I have included a link to my profile page and if you wish, you can sign up from there.

I think it is worth looking into- even in these early stages, it has generated a large amount of traffic through my weblog and the publishing process is simple.

blessed be, Lisa x
http://lisab.qassia.com

posted in Aware Mothers - 1 reply

Is 15 months too soon to start toilet training?

Deloris — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 19:33:30 GMT

My daughter is 15 months old, and can talk, feed herself, walk all over, says "No" and is EXTREMELY independant. She has to brush her own teeth, and needs to have some control in her daily doings. She has sat on the potty all by herself clothed, but I have never even tried to get her to "go" there yet.

My sweetie says it's too soon, and I have another friend who knows a woman who's son was trained by 1 year. (That seems extreme to me, but this is my first time around this block..as it were).

Any suggestions? Other signs I should look for? I should mention, we both work full-time, long hours, so our home time is quite precious and I don't want to spend it argueing with her or him over what time and how often she should be going to the bathroom like a big girl, but at the same time, I don't want her to wait too long either.

Thanks for any input!

posted in Aware Mothers - 16 replies

persistent drooling

hooppatherNatalie — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 20:37:13 GMT

I have an almost 5 year old who still drools quite a bit. I know this can be associated with very large adnoids/tonsils of which he has both. They are VERY large and being watched by an ENT, but we are trying to avoid an unnecessary surgery if at all possible. Has anyone else had to deal with this problem? I worry that my son will enter Kindergarten next year still drooling on his papers and possibly get teased.
thanks!

posted in Aware Mothers - 4 replies

A gentle reminder from your moderator

taosmom — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 02:09:32 GMT

Hi everyone! As I've said in the past, I'm not always active on this tribe as I trust all of you to be loving and supportive of each other as mothers, womens and humans. I am always grateful when things are brought to my attention in terms of improper use of the boards or inappropriate ads or posts. That being said, I also welcome debate and shining light on any subject that pertains to our roles as mothers and women. However, I will delete any post that is aggressive, attacks another member personally or threatens the harmony of our community. Please keep in mind that I will issue a warning to anyone who feels compelled to attack another member of this tribe and will ask that member to leave the tribe if it happens again. I never wanted to take this position as so far these boards have been a haven for so many. I know that controversial subjects can bring up a lot of conflict and emotions, but please try to refrain from attacking and try to understand that there is a human being on the other end of that keyboard who is caring, loving, devoted and seeking knowledge just like you. Love to all and thanks again for making this tribe so strong and supportive!-Alexandra (Taosmom)

posted in Aware Mothers - 3 replies

Any Montessori teachers here?

tigertiger — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 01:11:07 GMT

Or any teachers in alternative schooling?

I have the opportunity to do a teacher training (Montessori ages 3-6) and am interested in hearing feedback from others who have traveled that journey!

xoxo-kt

posted in Aware Mothers - 5 replies

The Vaccine Book

MoonMamaAly — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 00:45:19 GMT

Dr. Robert Sears just published The Vaccine Book as part of the Sears series of books. I'm nearly done reading every word in the book and highly recommend it! We borrowed it from our public library.

He has a chapter for folks who delay/decline, has great info on each vaccine and researched vaccinations for years. He is pro-vaccine but seems very balanced!! He believes in eradicating all diseases from the U.S. which is mainly why he's pro-vaccine. He understands parents' concerns and wrote this book to answer our questions.

Perhaps it will help you answer your questions as well.

Good luck Mamas!
AlyGirl xo

posted in Aware Mothers - 8 replies

Any Bad Vaccine Stories?

Brooklyn — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 04:36:17 GMT

I have been researching vaccines and have decided not to vaccinate..
I am still a little scared about it.. am I making the right decision?
i was wondering if any one had any stories of children getting these diseases we are vaccinating for?
I have never heard of any.. but maybe some of you have.. i am just trying to get a well rounded perpective.

posted in Aware Mothers - 46 replies

anybody skip the prenatal vitamins?

H.P. Meow Meow Meow — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:01:35 GMT

doing research to see if i can be okay with a superb diet. saw an article stating that according to the National Academy of Sciences if you do not have any of a few risk factors (eg smoking) you don't need them. also read that the best source of folic acid is raw fruits and veggies, which i plan to eat plenty of. calcium is generally easy in dark leafy greens and some good salts (my himalayin pink has a ton.) i don't see why taking the time to eat really well shouldn't be enough and am a bit wary of vitamins a supplements. wondering what others have thought and done. obviously we don't want to take unnec risks, but my sense for my body is the best way to go is lots of high vibe organic fruits and veggies across the color spectrum, nuts, coconuts, avos, generally a good raw diet. sorry to sound like such a hippy.

posted in Aware Mothers - 7 replies

toddler teeth brushing

lucy — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 21:44:00 GMT

My 20 month old daughter hates when i brush her teeth and doesnt do a very good job of it herself.

Any suggestions?

posted in Aware Mothers - 9 replies

Birth Arts Doula Training

demetria — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 13:18:06 GMT

Birth Arts International have the following scholarship options.
Check it out.
http://www.birtharts.com/scholarships.htm
We have the following available
Distance Learning Doula Program
Distance Learning Postpartum Doula Program

posted in Aware Mothers - 0 replies

fussy baby

julie — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 19:32:06 GMT

My son is 6 months old and has always been a pretty fussy baby. His doc prescribed antacid for reflux early on as an attempt to guess why he was seemingly fussy for no apparent reason.He at least has more happy moments and giggles now. He can play more and be distracted more easily. I just feel like I am always trying to figure him out. I had thought it would be better by now. Like he would grow out of it or something. Lately it seems worse. I just have never known a baby that is generally not able to sustain a happy demenor when all has been taken care of on the mommy check list. I can't help but think there is some reason for his unsettled behavior that i am missing somehow. i have years and years of baby experience with other people's babies, but find my own puzzling. I mean if they are fed, have napped (never has been a very good sleeper though), been changed, are not teething ....what is it? I am always showering him with attention, carry him tons, play with him....sometimes I worry that there may be a medical issue. Then he will have a good day and i will be put at ease. Anyone else ever find themselves in this situation or know any other reasons why he may be so fussy? My chiropractor suggested probiotics and enzymes daily in case it is digestion issues. Thanks for your help!

posted in Aware Mothers - 9 replies

find chris fundraising source tribe

kristalina — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:07:02 GMT

i have started a tribe to help raise money for bonnie to find her son chris. artistpriestess is a longtime member of tribe, and i love her dearly. my intentions are for us as a community come together to do what we can. it almost has been 6 months since chris went missing, its time to find him. if you have any goods, services or artwork to donate for the cause...post it in the new tribe. if you are looking for some goods, services or artwork please check it out! please cross post this and share this with other tribes that you know may be able to help. thanks so much everyone!

http://tribes.tribe.net/findchristribe
www.findchris.org

love!
kristalina

posted in Aware Mothers - 0 replies

Traveling with a 2 1/2 year old!

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 23:01:20 GMT

I need help, advice, ideas, stories...I plan to take my son with me to my best friends wedding next June in Ontario, Canada and I'm kind of freaking out. My son just turned two and will be about 2 1/2 come June, and I'm worried....for one, we've never taken him traveling with us...if anything he's been in the car for at most 40minutes. Me and my bf are not travelers, and are kind of afraid of flying, and of course my son has never been on a plane. The plan is to fly and meet my bestfriend in Philadelphia(where she lives) then take the train together into Canada (9hrs.).....but I'm afraid of how he'll take it!
I consider myself to be a very anal parent as far as his daily routine goes, and making sure hes fed properly at certain times and takes his nap at a certain time, is in bed by 10pm etc, etc. etc.....basically i'm huge on planning and routine when it comes to him. And this trip is starting to freak me out!
Help!! What do I need to do in order to make this trip a success and not a big headache...cause I really wanto to enjoy being there for my bestfriend and being her maid-of-honor.

posted in Aware Mothers - 7 replies

Study with Gloria Lemay, online

Gloria — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 07:26:31 GMT

There will be an Advanced Online Doula Training with Gloria Lemay starting in Jan 2008. This course will
take place in a virtual classroom on the internet, a.k.a. a Webinar. For more info see
http://www.consciouswoman.org
Don't be scared of the technology. There are free orientation courses for using the web classroom. You can do everything with this classroom that you can in a regular, physical classroom---ask questions of the instructor, have discussions with class mates, receive handouts, homework, quizzes, polls, etc.
The Advanced Doula Training will be 12 classes of 90 minutes length. 3 different time choices are available for your convenience. The cost is $480 for the course.
If you don't know about Gloria Lemay, visit her website at http://www.glorialemay.com

posted in Aware Mothers - 20 replies

favorite birth videos?

rengal — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 05:28:26 GMT

We are hoping to start a collection of natural birth videos, and hoping to get quite a few very soon since we are expecting a new little on in October and would like to watch them with our toddler as a kind of preparation.
What are your favorite videos and why?

Thanks! :)

posted in Aware Mothers - 11 replies

Baby Healing Project Needs Your Votes for Funding!

kara — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 08:45:18 GMT

Your Vote is Needed to Fund a Free Aquatic Baby Bodywork Clinic!

I am a Finalist in the www.IdeaBlob.com Contest to win $10,000 to fund a small business or project. Your support will allow me to create a free monthly clinic for pregnant women, babies, and children to receive Aquatic CranioSacral Therapy in the therapeutic, warm, salt-water pool at the Tamarack Center in Eugene, OR.

Please vote for the WaterBaby CranioSacral Therapy Project!!! Every vote counts!
http://ideablob.com/ideas/1225-WaterBaby-CranioSacral-Therapy-

Thank you!!!!!!

Here's what Mothering Magazine, www.mothering.com, has to say about my project:

Healer's Project Needs Your Votes for Funding

When it comes to bringing aid and comfort to mothers and babies, Kara Maia Spencer, www.maiahealingarts.com, has credentials galore—she is a Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula, CranioSacral Therapist, Holistic Childbirth Educator & Consultant, Homebirth Midwifery Assistant, Reiki Master & Energy Healer, and is Certified in Bodywork for the Childbearing Year.

Dedicated to providing gentle, non-invasive, effective healing—as well as creating community among new parents—Kara intends to facilitate a free monthly CranioSacral Therapy clinic for pregnant women, mothers and babies, at a community therapeutic pool near her home in Eugene, Oregon. She has entered a funding contest with the hopes of winning $10,000 with which to rent the Tamarack Wellness Center's, www.tamarackwellness.com, warm, salt-water, solar powered therapeutic pool (the most eco-pool in Oregon) each month to host the free community clinic.

Please vote here to support Kara's goal—each vote counts, and registration is very quick and free.
http://ideablob.com/ideas/1225-WaterBaby-CranioSacral-Therapy-

posted in Aware Mothers - 0 replies

FYI : FDA Ignores Consumer Opposition & Approves Cloned Food

stephanie_phillyjawn — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 01:29:49 GMT

http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_9699.cfm

(click the link for more info & to get involved)

* FDA Fails Consumers With Approval of Cloned Food
Statement of Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter
By January 15, 2008
Food & Water Watch, January 15, 2008

WASHINGTON, DC - "The Food and Drug Administration's decision to allow the sale of meat and milk from cloned animals leaves consumers at risk and releases another questionable technology into the food supply.

"The agency announced today that it has finalized its risk assessment on eating meat and milk from cloned animals, the final step before a voluntary moratorium on selling these products is lifted. FDA's draft risk assessment relied on only a handful of studies conducted by the cloning industry and included little long-term evidence. Even the agency's own science board released a report last month stating that FDA has a 'lack of expertise in risk/benefit assessment.'

posted in Aware Mothers - 4 replies

toxic bibs at Walmart

aargh — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 15:58:21 GMT

FYI:
Toxic Bibs for Sale

When Wal-Mart learns that one of its products has been recalled, we all expect it to get pulled from store shelves immediately. But that's not always the case.

Last year, animal lovers were outraged to find recalled pet food still sitting on Wal-Mart's shelves. One customer went so far as to spend $1,000 on the tainted dog food, attempting to buy out the entire inventory at her local store.

Now customers are finding recalled baby bibs—bibs that were found to contain high levels of lead over seven months ago—still available at their local Wal-Mart store.

These sorts of "mistakes" shouldn't be happening at a retail chain with the most sophisticated distribution system on the planet. Tell Wal-Mart to get serious about product safety, and ensure that recalled products aren't for sale: http://www.recallwalmart.com

posted in Aware Mothers - 16 replies

What to do with Christmas junk?

Anon — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 17:14:54 GMT

So again, grandparents just didn't get the concept of no plastic toys, period. Most of what we received were games and learning tools & other items that don't concern me too much, but what do you do with the other inevitable junk? Another plastic baby doll, probably loaded with phthalates, the plush chicken that sings the chicken dance... don't really want to toss it in the landfill, giving it to a charity so someone else can poison their child doesn't seem conscionable, & due to where grandparents shop, returns aren't really possible either. I basically let the kids play with them for one day (when they open them) and then they lie forgotten in mama's closet.
Question 1- what do you do with it?
Question 2- how do I communicate to someone I love that they are sending unwelcome items to my home?

posted in Aware Mothers - 8 replies

trouble with nursing

gaynelle — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:01:07 GMT

I had posted this before in another discussion but recieved no responses. I thought I would try again.

so my question is this. Of all the nursing mommy's here, did anyone have such low milk production that they had to stop?? When I was pregnant, my nipples hurt but my breast size changed very little. When I gave birth to my son, my breast produced little to none. I tried nursing, then pumping, massaging, teas, supplements,,,,,you name it I tried it short of hormone therapy. I ended up nursing with supplement feedings for 6 weeks. I felt betrayed by my body for a long time. I wanted to breast feed my child for atleast a year. I had folks out to the house to try and help. I did everything I could. Just wondering if anyone else had the same thing happen to them?

posted in Aware Mothers - 25 replies

baby energy

morning star — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 02:05:36 GMT

Hi, I'm looking for ideas from anyone here who has heard of or experienced first hand the:

'baby with lot's of energy that seems to want to walk before crawling, wants to crawl possibly but is frustrated at being on belly, wants to be in walker to play with toys but only for a minute, wants to be held & carried but allowed to move frontward and around while being carried, wants to eat but then over eats and vomits out excess but still putting bottle up to his mouth to get more milk, etc.......'

posted in Aware Mothers - 5 replies

making crib sheets?

Lyla — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 20:14:02 GMT

Have any of you made your own? Was it best to put elastic all the way around or just on the corners. This is my first child so i don't know how much the little one will move about when sleeping ; )

Thank you...

please let me know if this isn't appropriate for this tribe.

posted in Aware Mothers - 6 replies

Santa The Tooth fairy and The Easter Bunny...etc...

gliSTenz — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 06:45:44 GMT

so what do you think telling yr children about these being's that invariably bring something to them?I have heard mixed stories around being told about them as children and then growing up feeling lied to and confused about other things they may also be told that are not true?And then there's those who dont care and are happy to have had the fantasy while it lasted and pass it on to their children..
I kinda like the idea of created fantasies that are about everyday things and not just about getting something...I told my daughter (6) that there are some people who do see fairies and that they are real for some people and for others they are just pretend...

Iam not sure I want to subscribe to the above bcos the rest of society is...I also want to keep my child's imagination free and open to explore the crossover of worlds and creatures and colourful tapestrys that are already woven into our spiritual self..

posted in Aware Mothers - 12 replies

pregnancy nipple question

evangeline tragedy — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 05:24:42 GMT

at the end of the day when i take of my bra my breasts are not just sore but FUCKING painful! oww. does anyone know of a cream or ANY thing that helps with this?

posted in Aware Mothers - 10 replies

alternatives to spanking?

Edana — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:55:40 GMT

Anyone have any alternative discipline methods to spanking to share? Time out and counting doesn't work for our especially stubborn three year old and hubby is about to give up and turn solely to bare tush spanking. Help!

posted in Aware Mothers - 13 replies

child needed for free portrait sessions.

ktlee — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:59:20 GMT

hi, there!

i'm a los angeles based photographer needing to shoot a new, sample gallery for a talent agency and i'm looking for a beautiful, poised (as much as a young child can be :) subject.

here's the deal:

you allow me to spend an hour or so with you and your child (between 2 - 5 years old) and we'll take some beautiful photos.
the photos will be portrait in nature as the gallery i need to build is for an agency that represents child actors & print models.

you will receive copy of all the shots taken and if you have any special requests (holiday attire, mom & kid shots, etc.) we can fulfill on that too.

ideally this will take place this week.

feel free to contact me to see samples of my work or with any questions, concerns, etc.

thanks much!!!

posted in Aware Mothers - 0 replies

chicken pox!

samarasun — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 20:59:56 GMT

I got an email today that a student in my son's (small) school has chicken pox.
My son's not vaccinated.
Should I try to get him to catch it?
I think I heard of this somewhere, that it's better to have this illness as a child than as an adult.

posted in Aware Mothers - 28 replies

posts didn't go through! CA AB 1735

tif — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:26:56 GMT

sorry about the mulitiple posts ~ the first two didn't go through.

if you haven't heard about CA's new law, AB 1735, please read my blog here on tribe.
even if you don't live in CA, eat raw milk, or dairy at all, this bill affects you and your healthy food options.

posted in Aware Mothers - 0 replies

New here!

stephaniemurphy — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 08:35:09 GMT

I love the title of this group. I live in Atlanta and am finding I am a bit out there for this area. I attended chiropractic school for a year. It is were I found out about more natural ways of living and groups connecting me to the support for many of my choices.
My 2 year old daughter was born at home, in water, without a mid-wife, slinged, organic fed. We still co-sleep. She still nurses. No vaccines. Never had a drug. She is happy, aware, active! Pure. - Other than the pollution and the other daily toxic environmental influences we all suck in.
Her father and I are not together at this time. We differ on this type of parenting. Since I am the Primary parent he is going along with my choices "for now." The "for now" part is concerning. Why would anyone want to mess with a clean nervous system. There is so much information out there supporting these choices. There are so many children and adults who have grown up this way. It may seem like a risk in our society at present because unfortunately it is not mainstream. The real risk in my mind is how disconnected our minds, bodies and spirits become when we are pumped full of synthetic junk. Why truncate our potential.
Wow, here I go on my soap box! Sorry! I know these choices can be difficult in our existing culture. I hope I can offer parents choices and they choose what is best for their family, where ever the choice leads them. I know the bottom line is that these little beings are being raised with love!
I must say I am rarely so blunt. I like the soft approach. I think being 41 and the likelihood of the onset of pre-menopause is a great influence of such energy surges.

By the way, I am confirming to myself on a daily basis, being a parent is the most fulfilling, best job in the world!!!! I would have let it pass me by had the universe not stepped in!

posted in Aware Mothers - 1 reply

Foreskins for Keeps

Gloria — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 22:46:38 GMT

Foreskins for Keeps—An Idea Whose Time Has Come
by Gloria Lemay
The end of circumcision by the first of January 2007
One woman's path to this project
© 2007 Midwifery Today, Inc. All rights reserved.

[Editor's note: This article first appeared in Midwifery Today Issue 81, Spring 2007.]
Photo provided by the author

I was genitally mutilated when cut by a scalpel while giving birth at 17 years of age. It was called an episiotomy and it was "routine" for women 40 years ago. That painful surgery led me to the homebirths of my next two children because I knew that cutting genitals was wrong. Back then, women didn't have scientific studies or evidence, we simply knew it couldn't be right and we didn't have to prove it. Years later, a large randomized controlled study at BC Women's Hospital proved what I and thousands of other women always knew: Episiotomies do harm.(1)

Circumcising boys
I have two intact brothers and one cut brother. My mother always regretted having her last son circumcised because "the doctor said it was best." My youngest brother had the misfortune to be born at the height of the Canadian circumcision epidemic in 1957 and the covering of his sensitive newborn glans was stripped from it with no anesthetic, crushed and amputated.

When I started midwifery practice in the 1970s, protecting infant boys from unnecessary pain by opposing circumcision seemed a natural part of the gentle birth movement. I found that most couples, with the rare exception of practicing Jews and Muslims, could not see any point in cutting their sons. I would do my best to talk even religious clients out of circumcision because I felt that someone had to warn them that their baby would be bloody, sore and fussy for days after the operation. One father of a premature boy wanted to circumcise his tiny five-pound son because he felt it was the right thing to do. He had been circumcised as an infant and thought this was the preferred status for a man. I was able to "educate" him out of the idea and this is a story about that little boy that took place 18 years later:

I was at a coffee shop and a woman came up to me and inquired "Gloria?" I didn't know who she was and she explained to me that I had attended her homebirth 18 years before. The story started to come together for me. I think I didn't recognize her because I had only met her once before she gave birth to her son. The woman had had a heart-shaped uterus and she gave birth at 34 weeks (six weeks early). They insisted on birthing at home and basically told me they would go unassisted if I didn't come to the home. The birth went well, baby weighed about 5 lb and we pumped the colostrum and dropper-fed him for a while but baby thrived. I had a place on my chart where I was prompted to ask "Will your son's penis be left intact?" but I hadn't gotten to that question before they gave birth. I was shocked to find out on day three that the father was making plans to circumcise this tiny little guy. I tried everything I knew to talk him out of it but he was adamant that it would happen. I even threatened to bring out the really nasty colored pictures that I had. He came right back with his intention to get very nasty with me if I persisted in obstructing him. I was just sick about it. Finally, I dropped off on their kitchen counter a very "bland" pamphlet from our local hospital that really didn't take a position about circumcision pro or con. I don't, to this day, know what hit that father as a mind-changing piece of information but when I came back for the next postnatal visit he had transformed! He told me that after he read the pamphlet he had decided to speak to his own parents about his anger at being cut. Anyway, 18 years later, there I was in a coffee shop with the mother and that boy. He's a big, good-looking man now. The mother said to her son "This is the lady who delivered you and you should thank her for giving you your life." He, of course, didn't know what to say to that but he offered his hand for me to shake. I said to him "No, I didn't deliver you and I didn't give you life—you and your Mom figured all of that out by yourselves. What I would like you to thank me for is your foreskin because I went to bat for you when your Dad thought you should be circumcised, and that part wasn't easy." He looked me in the eyes and really understood what I was saying and gave me a big "Thank you." That was a moment!
Miracles Unfolding
For 27 years, I have worked locally and admired national women leaders like Marilyn Milos, RN, (founder of NOCIRC), Jeannine Parvati Baker (author of Hygieia and Prenatal Yoga & Natural Childbirth), Barbara Harper (Waterbirth International) and Nancy Wainer Cohen (co-author of Silent Knife and author of Open Season). These women take every opportunity when a microphone is in their face to speak up for baby boys. I believed that they were much more qualified than I was to speak publicly against circumcision. I also didn't want to step on people's toes in regard to their religious beliefs.

In September 2005, I enrolled in a course called "Causing the Miraculous." In this course, we were instructed to think about something that we would consider a miracle. What came to mind for me was the end of circumcision in my lifetime. The idea of having this barbaric insanity end forever became so compelling that I made a huge and impossible/possible promise (after all, if you can dream it, it's possible) "Foreskins for Keeps—An Idea Whose Time Has Come: The end of circumcision by January 1, 2007." Just the thought is scary and intimidating; this is a project that has expanded me beyond my known limits.

I let the midwives on the Midwifery Today Forums know what I was thinking and asked them the following questions:

"What if 2006 was a year of intense action to end infant circumcision worldwide? What if we read a headline in 2007 that said ‘Infant Circumcision Abolished’? What if no one even knew who or what caused it? What if magical, synergistic incidents occurred that couldn't really be explained, but led to the end result that baby boys were able to keep their foreskins? What would you give to have that happen in your lifetime? What part would you have loved to play? What sort of world would we have if we came to a peaceful and graceful end to circumcision? What new problems could future generations take on because this one was no longer an issue?"

Asking questions is amazing. It begins a process in the minds of others that unleashes their creative powers. One of the replies I received inspired me even more.

Azores wrote:

How amazing if the earth's people didn't suffer immediately after the jolt of birth, coming from such peaceful tranquility to this. If in 2007, male infant circumcision were abolished my heart would beam with exhilaration. Then I'd say ‘Okay!! Now let's deal with female circumcision!’ because that is when the woes of circumcision will finally end."
What if no one knew who or what caused it? I'd believe that a powerful spiritual force truly existed, and loved us…or maybe aliens? Just kidding.
What would I give to see that happen in my lifetime? Hmm… If I knew that taking a few years off of my life and dying sooner meant no more circumcision, I'd do it. Then, I'd thank every single star every single night for shining so brightly, because my hope and faith in a higher good would be restored.
Which part would I love to play? I'd hope to be one of many working together, making up a much larger force. That is, if human action had any involvement (which I guess could be through prayer?).
What sort of world would we have? Our world would be one of: Anything is possible. Possibly other issues could be resolved just as peacefully and gracefully.
Which problems could future generations take on? More human rights issues. Mass unnecessary birthing intervention, the no-no subject, slavery, abandoned newborns left to die. Suicide, murder, rape, child abuse and many more.
If circumcision were no longer an issue? I'd believe that anything could change, and that all ugly issues had a fighting chance of being resolved.
This brainstorming with my sister midwives took me further afield. I needed to find out who was interested and active and who my partners would be. This took me into domains on the Internet that I never knew existed and introduced me to the giant "Salvation Army of Foreskins" in cyberspace. I had no idea about the many things that were happening in the intactivist movement—the restoring community (men restoring their foreskins), the active participation of gay men in the movement, the lawyers and friendly doctors. The existence of all these diverse groups was news to me. As a birth activist, I've been so used to clashing with doctors that it took a while to realize that I had a terrific resource in "Doctors Opposing Circumcision."

On December 1, 2005, the world lost Jeannine Parvati Baker. When she could barely talk, I told Jeannine she could go because we would see her dream of ending circumcision through to completion and I promised her it would happen sooner, not later. Everything I do to further this cause, I do in tribute to Jeannine and Marilyn Milos who were there before anyone else.

Canada as a Laboratory for What Works
Ending circumcision has been an exercise in "think globally and act locally." I believe that the province where I live, British Columbia (BC), can be a model of what can be accomplished in other jurisdictions.

Canada still has a long way to go in ending circumcision. One province, Manitoba, had stubbornly refused for years to take circumcision off its publicly-funded medical plan. In November 2005 a baby boy received a circumcision by mistake in a Manitoba hospital. A whistle-blower in the hospital called the press, and the government of Manitoba has now joined all the other Canadian provinces in dropping circumcision as an insured service. We still need to work to close the private clinics that have sprung up throughout Canada but pressure is building to abolish them, too.

In the summer of 2006, a man who had been circumcised as an eight-year-old in a religious residential school for orphans obtained $12,000 from the BC Medical Plan to have a plastic surgery replacement of his foreskin. This case is an important landmark in ending circumcision in Canada. Once physician's groups and government bureaucrats realize that men who suffered this human rights violation will take action to be compensated in adulthood, all the traditional excuses and justifications for circumcision will no longer be tolerable. More and more men will get the courage to come forward and share their anger at having unwarranted, irreversible, mutilating surgery without their consent.

Midwives Making the Difference
The end of circumcision is within view. Every midwife across North America can make a big difference by educating others in her community, standing up to the doctors who resist the end of this barbaric practice and protecting the boys that are born into her hands. Free and easily duplicated resources are available on the Internet. Many organizations have put in place the brochures, posters, videos and advertising that make ending circumcision easy. The first place to visit for resources is NOCIRC (www.nocirc.org).

Postscript: The Midwifery Today Web site (www.midwiferytoday.com/forums/) has a forum for sharing ideas about ending circumcision. Please add your voice to the discussion of strategies and ideas to protect our boys.

You will be reading this article in 2007 and may be thinking "Well, circumcision didn't end in 2006 so that project was a failure." The promise of ending circumcision in a year set things in motion that I could never have anticipated. The new goal is January 1, 2008. Circumcision is ending in the world and the question we all have now is will we be part of ending it faster or not. I invite all midwives to become active in educating their families, friends and clients about the importance of gentle treatment of all newborns. Attachment parenting includes keeping the foreskin attached.

Doctors Opposing Circumcision has an excellent teaching film for medical students on their Web site. It can be downloaded and used for teaching students midwives the importance of the male prepuce.

http://www.doctorsopposingcircumcision.org/index.html#resources

Here are some comments from midwives who have seen the video.

Very, very informative. A keeper for me.
—V.

Thank you for forwarding this. This fits in perfectly with my midwifery reproductive physiology course and I have passed it on to my fellow students.
—Carol-Anne Brockington, www.TheBirthDen.com

This was fantastic. Thank you very much. Very informative.
—Ana Markel

Gloria Lemay
Gloria Lemay is a lecturer, midwifery educator and traditional birth attendant in Vancouver, BC, Canada. She specializes in VBAC and waterbirth. She has served birthing women since 1976 and is an advisory board member of ICAN and the Canadian Doula Association. Gloria has three grown daughters and one teenage granddaughter. She wants her tombstone to read, "She spoke up for babies." [ PHOTO BY A. PRESSMAN ]

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posted in Aware Mothers - 10 replies

Southern California Family Portraits & Greeting Cards

ktlee — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 03:50:13 GMT

hello!

my name is katie lee and i'm a los angeles based photographer.

if you or someone you know is interested in family portraits and/or holiday cards, please keep me in mind.
i've posted an example of my work in this tribe's photo album.

i absolutely Love photographing families and children. nothing brings me more joy than having the opportunity to capture these precious moments for families.

i have a portable studio that travels all around southern california and austin, texas.

photo sessions begin at just $200.

please visit my website or contact me directly for more information:

http://www.reflectingtruth.com/holidays

thanks much & seasons greetings!

katie lee

posted in Aware Mothers - 0 replies

Teeth grinding while asleep-

CallMeTigerlily — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 18:54:51 GMT

My four year old grinds his teeth at night and it worries me. Should I buy him the little mouth guards?
That might freak him out....
I plan to call his dentist tomorrow but in the meantime does anyone know of a remedy I could try?
Thank You!

posted in Aware Mothers - 10 replies

Birth Arts Doula Workshop in Eugene

kara — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 21:37:10 GMT

BIRTH ARTS INTERNATIONAL DOULA WORKSHOP

http://www.maiahealingarts.com/birth-arts-eugene-oregon/

November 30th, December 1st & 2nd, 2007
at Sacred Waters Birthing Center, Eugene, OR

Join us for a weekend educational immersion into the science and spirit of labor support. Learn how to provide support for women and babies through pregnancy, labor, birth, and immediate postpartum.

The training includes an three days of class, extensive workbook, and on-going mentoring through didactic work to complete the program and receive certification as a Certified Birth Arts Doula.

Birth Arts offers a complete birth doula training integrating evidence-based maternity care research with traditional women’s wisdom and intuition. The workshop includes hands-on experiential practice in bodywork, rebozo, labor support techniques, and non-pharmacological methods of pain relief. We will go into detail about the practice of supporting women at birth at home, birth center, and hospital environments.

Kara Maia Spencer, LMT, CD, CBE
Patricia Couch, Midwife, CD, CBE

Tuition: $350

Schedule:

Friday evening - 6-10pm
Saturday - 9am - 6pm
Sunday - 9am - 6pm

Location:
Sacred Waters Community Birthing Center
Eugene, OR

For registration or inquiries contact:

Kara at 541-520-0681 or email kara@birtharts.com

http://www.maiahealingarts.com/birth-arts-eugene-oregon/
www.birtharts.com

posted in Aware Mothers - 0 replies

research om ADHD

aargh — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 13:56:24 GMT

so, duh- just be patient and it won't be much of a problem.

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1683069,00.html?xid=feed-yahoo-healthsci

What Goes Wrong in the ADHD Brain
Monday, Nov. 12, 2007 By KRISTA MAHR

Scientists have found that the brain development of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is delayed but otherwise typical, according to a new study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Comparing brain scans of children aged 6 to 16 who had the common psychiatric disorder with scans of those who did not, researchers found that some areas in the ADHD brain — particularly those involved in thinking, attention and planning — matured an average of three years later than "healthy" brains, but otherwise followed normal patterns of development.
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The results, which were published today in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), offer new insight into why kids usually seem to outgrow their ADHD, says Dr. Philip Shaw, who led the research team at the Child Psychiatry Branch of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). "It doesn't mean we can just sit back and do nothing," Shaw says, but the findings complement "what psychiatrists have been telling parents for years," that most kids with ADHD do get better.

Shaw and his colleagues compiled data from the brain scans of 446 children, half of whom had ADHD. The scans used new imaging technology that allowed researchers to "watch" some 40,000 points in the subjects' brains over time, and to figure out which specific regions of the brain developed, or thickened, at different rates. On average, in children with ADHD, the age at which 50% of the 40,000 points on the cortex — the brain's outer mantle — achieved peak thickness was 10 1/2, three years behind the typically developing kids whose cortex matured at age 7 1/2. The lag was most obvious in the prefrontal cortex, the study found, the area of the brain critical to cognitive functions like memory, attention focusing, higher-order motor control and the ability to suppress inappropriate responses and thoughts. One region, however, appeared to develop faster in the ADHD brain: the primary motor cortex. Combined with the delay in higher-order motor control, researchers theorize, it could explain why kids with ADHD are so fidgety and restless.

Aside from the timing of maturation, the brains of children with ADHD appear to develop the same way typical brains do, from back to front. "Do [kids with ADHD] have basically have the same sequence of brain development? That's a yes," says Shaw. "Do they completely catch up with other kids? That's what we're looking at now."

ADHD is the most common psychiatric childhood disorder in the United States, but it's not bound by geography; diagnosis of ADHD is increasing globally. Since 1993, use of stimulant drugs to treat ADHD has more than tripled worldwide, according to one study. Symptoms for the disorder include impulsiveness, hyperactivity, and poor concentration, and can develop over several months. Though most people outgrow the hyperactivity aspect — characterized by having trouble sitting still, moving around when others are seated, or talking while others are talking — about a quarter to a third of children and teenagers carry their ADHD into adulthood. Some environmental factors like lead exposure, smoking during pregnancy and food additives have been linked with increased risk of the disorder, but there's still debate in the mental health community about whether the cause is mostly genetic or environmental. What's clear, though, is that ADHD is highly heritable — if one parent has or had the condition, their child has about a 70% chance of inheriting it.

Though the new study may eventually help scientists identify why ADHD causes the brain to develop slower and how kids can get better sooner, Shaw says it won't help doctors diagnose the disorder today. ADHD diagnoses still have to made through clinical evaluations, and for now, treatment still means the widely used psycho-stimulant drugs, like Ritalin, and behavioral therapy.

As doctors continue learning about the ADHD brain, however, more and more alternative treatments, such as attention training and psychotherapy, are gaining traction. Research shows that the brain is not static — that it can physically change with experience. Studies reveal that the brains of some piano players, for instance, are more developed in the areas responsible for finger movement, while in the brains of people who have practiced meditation long-term, the attention centers are physically larger than average.

The ability to pay better attention is one of those things that people can consciously and physically improve in themselves, says Dr. Lidia Zylowska, who heads a program for ADHD patients at the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center. Zylowska's early research in meditation — one technique within the larger practice of mindful awareness — suggests that it can improve older ADHD patients' ability to stay focused. The practice may also work for kids. "We always think that our brain makes our mind, but it may work the other way," says Zylowska. "You can have an impact on your biology."

posted in Aware Mothers - 1 reply

New here

songflowermari — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 20:47:14 GMT

I am not yet a mother, but over the past few months my boyfriend and I have been seriously contemplating the idea of starting a family. Trouble is, we still feel as though we are not completely stable in our lives financially, that is, we're still growing our careers. I've also told him that I want to be married before having children, and he agrees.
I'm curious to know about other mothers' experiences in having children in their lives, what you did when you found out you were going to have children, and what is "being stable" really?

posted in Aware Mothers - 7 replies

Arrrgh! warning- political rant

aargh — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 22:23:19 GMT

you'd think childrens toy safety would be a no-brainer, but noooooo- Bush apointed head of the consumers dafety doesn't WANT an increased budget, staff, and oversight.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/30/washington/30consumer.html?ref=todayspaper

sad but this was from a week ago and i think it DIDN'T pass.

i'm too pissed to rant.

posted in Aware Mothers - 1 reply

Looking for non-vac or delayed/selective vac-friendly Doctor in Sacramento!!

Yusefina — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:49:38 GMT

My friend is desperate to find a pediatrician who is on her side and doesn't know where to look...any suggestions?
Thanks a ton in advance

posted in Aware Mothers - 1 reply

Not Sleeping

b_flat — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 16:28:45 GMT

So in the last month my 18 mo old has begun to take 2-3 hours to go to bed at night, and I'm beginning to really feel resentful since it's the only time I really have with her dad. Is anyone else going through this? I gave her dinner last night, took her on a long walk, gave her a bath, and then gave her milk while rocking her. Two hours later... After three hours the other day I let her cry (never for more than 10 minutes at a time) and she went to sleep very quickly and slept ALL night. We sleep with her, also, by the way. Anyway. I finally let her cry for a few minutes last night and she got so upset she pooped, and then it took another hour and a half to get her to bed, and she woke up constantly. She woke up at 1 and was restless until 4:30. Not crying, just popping her head up every five minutes so no one was sleeping. I can't keep doing this, and i don't know how to compromise with her. This is making me crazy, and peevy. Any ideas?

posted in Aware Mothers - 4 replies

MRSA

heidski — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 16:38:35 GMT

My 2-year-old daughter recently recovered from an infection in her nipple. By the time we got her to the doc there wasn't enough sample to test for MRSA (staph), but the doc was 90-something percent sure that it was MRSA. My daughter also often gets these red bumps where her diaper is and the doc has also pronounced these to be MRSA. If that's what it is then that's what it is, but the diagnosis seems a little unscientific to me, especially without testing. I've done a little research, and it seems like this is really nasty stuff. Is there some way to get a definitive diagnosis on this? Both by wife and I are prone to these kind of infections... Does anybody have experience with this?

posted in Aware Mothers - 4 replies

why does my 6 month cry all the time

Janice — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 15:00:42 GMT

well at first i would check to see if there was anything wrong if there wasn't then my husand would let him cry it out but i wouldn't listen and then when i picked him up he would still cry so i finally just him cry it out it still goes on but i am surving sometimes u have to let cry it out

posted in Aware Mothers - 11 replies

Aware Mothers's topics - tribe.net

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Support a Family Healing Arts Center!

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here are some great web links

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What do you think should be done?

an interesting site

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persistent drooling

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anybody skip the prenatal vitamins?

toddler teeth brushing

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fussy baby

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favorite birth videos?

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FYI : FDA Ignores Consumer Opposition & Approves Cloned Food

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What to do with Christmas junk?

trouble with nursing

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making crib sheets?

Santa The Tooth fairy and The Easter Bunny...etc...

pregnancy nipple question

alternatives to spanking?

child needed for free portrait sessions.

chicken pox!

posts didn't go through! CA AB 1735

New here!

Foreskins for Keeps

Southern California Family Portraits & Greeting Cards

Teeth grinding while asleep-

Birth Arts Doula Workshop in Eugene

research om ADHD

New here

Arrrgh! *warning- political rant*

Looking for non-vac or delayed/selective vac-friendly Doctor in Sacramento!!

Not Sleeping

MRSA

why does my 6 month cry all the time

Listen to the children

Arrrgh! warning- political rant