I'm a Granola Mom!!

What is a Crunchy mom? Below is a list of what most crunchy moms are or due. And because I don't like the term crunchy I am changing it to granola. People identify granola moms with granola mainly because its earthy, healthy, and nutty. People also like to use the term hippie-esqu. In the world we live in today every type of person has to have a "name" and apparently mother isn't good enough.  For some reason as women we cant accept the way other people choose to parent. There are wars between moms who think disposables are horrid and should be illegal and then theirs the moms who couldn't fathom putting poopy diapers into your washer. I for one could care less how another woman chooses to parent her child, unless of course it is harming and abusive in some way. We need to appreciate each other as women and understand that we are all doing the same job. Just because one woman does her job differently than another is no reason to put her down.

I really don't mind if someone wants to call me a granola mom or a hippie mom because to me its a huge compliment. I am choosing the path I think is best and right for my child.

This list is definitely not exclusive to all granola moms. Doing any one or two of these things is enough to get you the label in some circles. Other circles are more extreme and to be labeled as such you have to meet high standards. For me, personally, I will be doing all of the below.

1. Extended breastfeeding-usually beyond a year.
2. Cloth diapering
3. Drug-free birth
4. Baby wearing
5. Stay at home parenting. You can still go back to work and be considered a granola mom though. I don't think just because you choose not to stay home doesn't make you any less granola-esqu.
6. Co-Sleeping
7. Homemade baby food-usually all natural and organic
8. Homemade house hold products
9. Against vaccinations
10. Home schooling

My choices and views on 1-5:

I plan to breastfeed. I am actually very excited about having that bond with my child and that one on one time. I plan to breastfeed as long as I can. I am also going to be cloth diapering Rylee. I have many reasons for this and will do a separate post on it later-I'm not against using disposables once in awhile either. I plan to have an all natural drug free birth with the use of water as a pain reliever. This is just a plan, I am not above asking for that epidural if I really need it. I plan to wear my baby as often as possible, it helps with regulating so much in there bodies and allows momma to get some work done around the house. I will be a stay at home mom. This is definitely a luxury not every mom can afford. I'm sure at some point Rylee will be in our bed co sleeping with us. I do plan to keep her in her bassinet most the night because my husband is constantly moving or twitching in his sleep.

My choices and views on 6-10:

I like to cook and I think making my own baby food sounds fun. That's not to say I wont buy a jar of it here and there, but when I do it will be organic for sure. I already make my own house hold cleaning products so that is nothing new to me. I wont be vaccinating Rylee. Its a personal preference and each family has to decide for themselves what is best for their child. My husband and I have yet to decide on homeschooling. After all we have five years to figure that one out, but were not putting it past us. The world is getting worse and being "sheltered" isn't such a bad thing.

I find all these to be really exciting and for some parents its just not there cup of tea. And that is ok. We need to start supporting each other as moms and women and stop judging and tearing each other down.

Like I said there are a lot more parts to being a granola mom that I didn't include or else this post would never end, but this is the list of what parts of being a granola mom I will partake in.