I feel neutral about gender-neutral parenting
In three years of parenthood, I have collected plenty of anecdotes to promote the philosophies of gender-neutral parenting, of raising a child devoid of gender-stereotypes. Yet I found myself questioning the very possibility of raising a child who would not form his identity, at least in part, around typical lines of pink and blue, dolls and footballs.
He-nesting while I wait for my son’s birth
The past 9 months have already been an ebb and flow of anticipation. Waiting to see my son on the ultrasound, hearing his heartbeat once a month, tracking the growth of the baby bump, finding out we were having a boy and waiting to finally be able to feel him move. Now we wait for the main event.
Conquering Shared Space for Teenagers
I have two stepdaughters. They don’t live with us full time. And this summer they drove me absolutely INSANE. They fought all summer due to lack of personal space and feeling like people view them as a solid unit as opposed to individuals. They’re in that place, developmentally, where they REALLY need to have their own individual identity.
I saw my birthdaughter, she loves me
I recently saw my daughter for the first time in about a year. She turned 6 this past fall, is going to school, and looks just like me. She calls me by my name. I think if she ever called me her mother, I’d cry as I corrected her. She may be my daughter, but I am not her active parent, her active mother. I am her birthmom — not as a derogatory term, but simply as a clarification. A different type of mother.
Baby Leg Warmers for your offbeat babe
I actually own 2 pairs of these from knottybabywear and all though my baby isn’t crawling yet, I can attest to them being well made and adorable. They are leg warmers, but they are for more than just lookin’ cute. When your baby starts scooting around the house, they are great for keeping those soft […]
The Bot’s Room
The illustrious blogger, soon-to-be mama and previously Offbeat Bride-featured Steampunk Bride, The Pregonaut, did an AMAZING job with her little Bot’s room and was stoked to share it with us. Bask in the pop art glory awesomeness of these new digs! – Offbeat Shrie We’re at 38 weeks and the room is finally complete! Now […]
Calculated risk, or why I let my kid sleep on his stomach
I’m not stupid: I know that it’s recommended that infants sleep on their backs, and I understand why it’s recommended. SIDS is scary, terrifying stuff — and the fact it’s still mired in mystery means that there’s extra fear around it.