Category Archive

Families

Our sister site Offbeat Mama launched in 2009, became Offbeat Families in 2012, and was merged into Offbeat Home & Life in 2015. This archive contains all the posts ever published on those sites! We believe that while children change your life forever, being around kids doesn’t necessitate abandoning your identity. We believe in supporting and inspiring parents and caregivers who are moving beyond mainstream visions of parenting. We welcome anyone who’s interested in families, whether you’re pre-parental, in the process of becoming a parent, or choosing to live childfree.

Offbeat kids books about sex and bodies

Sex education for children is definitely a hot button issue, but one that can empower children to claim ownership of their bodies AND teach them the various functions those bodies can have. Here are a few books that can help guide your young ones through their own periods of curiosity and confusion.

How to turn an old onesie into a baby doll

Have lots of too-small baby clothes or forgotten blankets? Victoria Brooke has a DIY solution for you!

Theo’s water birth video

Erika sent us a link to this video, shot by Hailey of You Can’t Be Serious Photography in Brisbane, Australia. Warning: tissues are a must. Also, there are scenes that have breasts & breastfeeding, but the video is otherwise discrete. Theo’s Birth video from hailey bartholomew on Vimeo.

How do you make bedtime work — for everyone?

Bedtime is known to be something of a tumultuous time for many parents–how do you get your child/ren to sleep? What does and does work for your family?

How to pull off a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) like a pro

My older sister, who also had a VBAC, had told me that “it hurts and then it’s over.” I was skeptical at the time but it’s true! It hurts, and then it’s over! And you have a baby in your arms to show for it!

Are children of Lesbians better behaved?

Researchers just reported that “children in lesbian homes scored higher than kids in straight families on some psychological measures of self-esteem and confidence.” Why’s that?

Why only children are awesome

I am a third generation only child, and my son will be a fourth generation only child. I am not only pro-only child, I’ve jokingly referred to myself as an only child bigot, prone to espousing how only children are a master race of superior humans. Really, I’m only half kidding, because I think only children are AWESOME. Here’s why.

Should you use a midwife with your first birth?

The ability to “go with the flow” and learn from this transformative, amazing (if challenging) experience called pregnancy and birth is how you will grow your womb-an wisdom. Whether you successfully give birth at home with a midwife or have unexpected problems that result in a transfer to a doctor and/or hospital — you’ll experience the initiation ritual into motherhood.