Over the last eight years or so I’ve undertaken the slow and steady task of becoming more holistically minded. I suppose my upbringing was where my holistic journey really began, but the ways were subtle and did more to shape my way of thinking than to lend me many specific practices.
My mother is a product of a rough upbringing. She is one of those who chose to make the best of life–using her experiences to help others–rather than wallow in the bitterness and anger she certainly must have experienced. She is independent, freethinking and always encouraged me that I could do whatever I put my mind to. When she married just two months shy of my eighth birthday, she had already firmly established herself in a high-paced career despite being a single parent. She later birthed my siblings, at first determined to do it without the use of hospital interventions or drugs–even choosing to deliver at the hospital’s birth center. But due to their stubbornness to come out, both my brother and my sister’s births were induced which began the spiral of interventions and she ended up delivering both with epidural anesthesia. Still, she breastfed them both for about a year and a half–longer than most were doing at the time. And although she chose disposable diapers, she did use cloth wipes.
I have taken each of these decisions a step (or two) further than my mother did–birthing my children with midwives at home, breastfeeding much longer, and exclusively using cloth diapers while also practicing EC (Elimination Communication)–and have made many other changes in our lives that lead us toward better health in mind, body and spirit.
My mother has laid the foundation for me to be in the place that I am now. And while she doesn’t agree with all of my choices, I know she is proud that I am seeking the best for my family–and doing it in a bold way. Won’t you join me as I share my journey and all that I have learned–and continue learning–in this public forum?
Hi, this is Nicole’s mom; and yes, I AM so incredibly proud of my daughter and what an amazing wife, mother and human being she has become. She is always learning, growing and seeking the best for herself, her family and her sphere of influence. I know that as you follow her on her journey, you will be getting the best of what she has to offer.
(and just for the record, I did use cloth diapers for short time!)
Right. You’ve said that before. I don’t remember you using cloth diapers… I certainly don’t remember changing them (did I???). I was only 12 then so my memory is not terribly clear.