Primal Mommies

Oh Jezebel, You Flatter Me!

2012-04-22T16:52:00.006-04:00

It would seem that Primal Mommies is very popular this week with Jezebel.com. Specifically, they are sending a lot of traffic to a 6 year old post called "Why Not Vaccinate". I noticed this trend earlier in the week but have chosen to ignore it. The visitors are coming from a post written at Jezebel entitled, "Getting Measles Trendy Among Babies Whose A**hole Parents Didn’t Vaccinate Them" (censorship of foul words my own).

I didn't immediately read the article and I didn't read the comments. My initial response to it was that I would not dignify the writings of someone who
1) is obviously not educated in the matter and
2) is so insecure in the power of their words that the only sense of power they can wield is in the use of swear words in their title

Then came the comments to my post. Again, I can see by what people are saying that they, through no fault of their own, don't know both sides of the story. Plus, I am not moderating the comments on a 6 year old post.

I've now read Jezebel.com's post.

The post title is misleading. The article indicates that 350 people have come down with illnesses. But where is the proof that the unvaccinated are the ones contracting and sharing the diseases? What percentage of those who have contracted these illnesses are unvaccinated people? Where is the data?

I searched for more information. Even USA today can only say, "The largest U.S. outbreak of measles to occur in 15 years -- affecting 214 children so far -- is likely driven by travelers returning from abroad and by too many unvaccinated U.S. children, according to new research." Is likely? So they don't know either. Show me facts. Give me proof. Don't give me theories based upon opinion.

People come down with these things all the time. Adults, more often than not, get those "flu-like symptoms" after a flu shot. Wouldn't that mean you contracted the disease from the vaccination? Yeah. That's exactly what it means. But is anyone in an uproar over that?

Why isn't anyone writing an article called ""Getting Measles Trendy Among Kids Whose A**hole Parents Vaccinated Them"? Not that I'd recommend being hateful to parents who vaccinate anymore than towards those who do not. There is no excuse for the rudeness attached to articles such as the one written at Jezebel.com. It's everyone's personal choice of when, how and if they want to vaccinate. It's a matter of respecting the rights of others. But, just for fun, let's see if such an article could bear out some facts (unlike Jezebel's article).

In Illinois, 99% of a high school was vaccinated and yet 17 high school students came down with measles. www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00000359.htm

In a Corpus Christi Texas high school, 99% of the students were vaccinated and 14 students came down with measles. http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM198703263161303

Oh. Wait. Does this suggest something other than the theory that it is the unvaccinated who are guilty of spreading these diseases?!

Why the Outbreaks?
Since Jezebel and other sources can't seem to cite any valid reasons other than "maybe" the unvaccinated are causing this, let's look at some facts, shall we?

When I was a child, we all got the measles. Parents wanted our immune systems built up so that we'd have lifelong immunity. At that point, the incidence of measles was decreased by 90%. Then, in 1978, the MMR vaccine was developed. Three doses for every child was the recommendation. After about 10 years of this, incidents like the two cited above became commonplace. Children began contracting the exact disease that the vaccinations were allegedly preventing from the vaccines themselves!

One very big reason (aside from that fact that vaccinations don't work), is the way vaccines are developed. Doctors do not inject us with wild-growing disease. Rather, vaccine developers create laboratory-mutated forms of the actual virus. This is supposedly to create a stronger immune reaction but what actually happens is that we are being subjected, through mass vaccination, with mutated pathogens. They are, in fact, creating brand new diseases that would have never occurred in nature.

And that is the reason for the outbreaks: Man-made disease.

So while I appreciate all the traffic that Jezebel has seen fit to send to me (I still haven't seen the link that leads them here), the hateful comments and such really don't change the facts, do they? If anything, a few more people will start questioning the issue and delving deeper into some research. :-)

UPDATE (April 23, 2012)

I finally found the link. Someone left it in the comments section in favor of my "Why Not Vaccinate" post. So thank you to the person who left the comment. That person was surprised to find that there were "no dissenters" commenting. I can tell you why: They aren't approving comments that are in disagreement with the article.I've posted several comments with several emails. I receive a confirmation that states they'll email me when my comment is approved. The email never comes.

Happy Mothering!

I'm Pregnant and I Know It

2012-03-28T22:34:00.000-04:00

It's been a while since I've posted, I know. Life has taken me in other directions I guess. But every now and then I see something just for you. Here ya go...

Happy Mothering!

Unschooling: What Exactly Does That Mean?

2011-09-03T16:59:00.002-04:00

I am not an unschooler. I am a Charlotte Mason educator. Once upon a time, however, we were unschoolers. I know a lot of unschoolers. I also know a lot of "radical unschoolers". I am also meeting a lot of moms who are new to homeschooling who are baffled by these "radical" ones. When these new homeschooling moms seek out information, the more radical unschoolers don't seem to have answers to their questions. It leaves the newbies baffled and confused.

As well, these radical unschoolers never seem to clearly disclose that they are, in fact, radical. They give no indiction that they are not the mainstream of unschooling families. I sometimes feel they should come with a disclaimer of some sort. "Hello.. I am a radical unschooler. I have no answers for you. But I am full of general snarkyness and vague answers that will leave you more confused than educated."

I have recently seen several news casts on the internet. All of them have one thing in common: These families literally do nothing towards the education of their children. And they're proud to say so. In my opinion, these parents perpetuate the myth that we parents are not qualified to educate their young. Many people hear the term "unschooling" and immediately, without any effort, conclude that "unschooling = not schooling = not educating". Their conclusions are confirmed by these radical unschoolers. So what is unschooling exactly?

First, let us define "school". Once we have the correct definition of "school" then the word "unschool" takes on a new meaning entirely:

school/sko͞ol/

Noun

1.an institution where instruction is given.

2.an institution for instruction in a particular skill or field.

3.a college or university.

Definition of the prefix "un" means "not".

Aha! Unschool would simply be defined as "not in an institution of instruction"!!! Here is a more complete explantion:

Unschooling is is a range of educational practices centered on allowing children to learn through their natural life experiences, including play, game play, household responsibilities, work experience, and social interaction, rather than through a more traditional school curriculum.

Unschooling does not mean letting your children watch television and play video games all day long. It does not mean allowing the child to dictate what they learn and do not learn. Unschooling is not an attempt to let a child rule his own world with no rules, discipline or punishments. It doesn't mean you don't teach them or use books or require them to read. All of that would fall under the "radical unschooler" way of life.

Unschooling is considered a "child directed" approach. I prefer to think of unschooling as an "interest-directed" approach. In our unschooling days, if my son had taken an interest in architecture. I would have worked the study of architecture into all subjects and all subjects into his interest of architecture. Architecture can take us all over the world (social studies); on trips through ancient Rome and Greece! (history); we could learn new vocabulary; we could even work it into math because architecture requires mathematical skills; we could study pieces of artwork which display various types of architecture and so on. I could incorporate all of these subjects and more into our educational plan based upon his interest in that one thing.

I am neither advocating for or against unschooling. I simply want others to understand what it really means. I feel so sorry for the children whose parents choose to "do nothing" and claim they're unschooling. I feel sorry for the parents looking into unschooling and asking how it works; how do you account to the state; etc ..but having an "unschool mom" tell them "we don't do anything" and "we don't answer to the state" because both answers are incorrect. Whatever state you reside in has laws and laws are to be followed. Yes, unschoolers can abide by the laws without changing their educational philosophies. We did.

Unschooling is a perfectly acceptable method if it's used correctly and with the child's best interest at heart. I happen to prefer the Charlotte Mason method. But no method of education should be used to justify giving up your responsibility to parent or educate your children. There is no justification for that.

Happy Mothering!

The History of Circumcision

2011-08-28T23:00:00.000-04:00

I've shared information on the history of circumcision in the United States in the past. But here is just another "something" to share with you.

Happy Mothering!

Mother-Daughter: Self-Esteem

2010-11-10T01:51:00.000-05:00

One blog that I read here and there is "We are THAT Family... you know the ones". It's not a "crunchy" blog but I stumble upon it quite often in homeschool circles. Anyway.. the point today is that Kristen has written a wonderful post about a mother's affect on her daughter's self-esteem.

Now, I am not one to overly-use words such as "dysfunctional" and "self-esteem" and many other words that once held meaning but now, thanks to talk shows, fall into the realm of psychobabble. Mainly I don't use them because they are, in fact, overused to the degree that they have lost true meaning in the minds of the general public. So.. toss all of that aside. Think of what the word "esteem" means: The regard in which one is held. Usually a "high regard".

Ok. Now go read Kristen's post at : Esteem Yourself, Raise Hers

Happy Mothering!

Public Schools Pathologize Childhood

2010-10-22T03:37:00.000-04:00

Not much to say.. she says it all:

http://www.laurieacouture.com/2010/10/public-schools-pathologize-childhood-cause-severe-distress-to-healthy-children/

Happy Mothering!

When Food Isn't Food at All

2010-10-17T16:18:00.000-04:00

Primal Mommies, as you know, is a blog which includes info on health issues but not necessarily nutrition itself. For those who have been around a while, you know that I used to run a blog about nutrition and natural living. (That blog still exists but has been just sitting unattended for about 4 years.)

However, many times over the years I've discussed with other moms what I call "foods made of non-food ingredients". As it turns out, Keven, of AlmightyDad.com has written an article about this very subject. In invite you to go visit his post at "Unnatural Food: Colorful Drinks"

Happy Mothering!

Stupid/Shocking Things Said by OB's and Nurses

2010-10-12T00:51:00.000-04:00

All I can say is "Wow!" and I'm adding this feed to my sidebar. That is all

Check out My OB said What?

Happy Mothering!

Baby Dies After Circumcision: What is YOUR problem?

2010-10-07T01:39:00.008-04:00

I have so much I could say right now.. but probably won't write even a small percentage of it. This is a blog; it is not a book. Still, I think it's vitally important for humans to understand the impact of their words on another human being and even upon themselves and their peers.

Yesterday, a woman lost her child after a circumcision surgery. The child was 7 weeks old. There was much of a story on her blog through her pregnancy, birth and the child's short life. In the end he died. Anyone who has followed my blog for the last few years clearly understands where I stand on certain issues from vaccinating to birth to circumcision. These are my personal choices.

This is where many people fail in their efforts at having strong convictions: They lack thoughtfulness and humility. I stand by every single belief and decision I make. I also stand by your right to make your own decisions. My only hope is that you're making informed decisions. I have a friend who birthed one child in the hospital; had her second at a birthing center and then had a c-section on the third child because it was, in fact, necessary. I have an acquaintance who had her first baby at home and her second at the hospital because her life was in danger. I have friends who circ; who vax; who don't circ or vax; who choose to wait on vaxing.

My point is that, while it is good to stand by your convictions, you should not shove them down the throats of others. I often state my view if it's an appropriate time to do so or if I am asked. I listen to my friends and those I meet. I may politely present another side for them to consider. Then I move on because in the end their choices are their choices. No one should be condemned based upon these things. Quite frankly, in the grand scheme of things.. these are minor differences which do not decide the type of human you are; the type of mother, father, son, brother, sister, daughter or neighbor a person is. And those are the things that truly matter. What type of person you are determines what type of person you are and nothing else will determine that.. Not what medical choices you make.. Not whether you eat meat or don't.. Not whether you vaccinate or don't.

This poor woman lost her child and there are those who are anti-circ leaving nasty comments and emails for her!! For those I only ask: What is wrong with you that you'd do this to a grieving mother?!!! What kind of person are YOU? Most certainly I hope you don't call yourself a loving person or a caring person!

When you are loving, caring and kind, you set the reputation for others who believe as you do. When you are nasty, argumentative and hateful, you do the same. This poor mom contacted the Ellen Show telling how horrible the anti-circ community has been treating her. Don't you think that if this goes on Ellen's show, it will ruin the credibility of the cause itself? Who is going to listen after that? But whatever... all that matters right now is this mom and her baby.

Do you know how fast sound travels? It travels 340 meters per second. That is the equivalent of the length of 3 football fields per second!!! This is how fast and hard the words we speak impact another's heart! If, however, you're spreading your hatred through written comments, then consider that light travels at the speed of 700 million miles an hour and that is how fast and hard your hateful words are hitting her heart! How could you do that to a person, much less a grieving person?!

There is nothing wrong with this mother or the choices she made. But if you are participating in shattering her grieving heart with words traveling at those speeds, then I would suggest that your convictions and priorities are in the wrong place.

Beautiful UBAC

2010-10-06T21:56:00.000-04:00

I have had much to say over the years about homebirth and hospital births. For this post, my words are not needed.

Happy Mothering!

Out of the Mouths of Babes: GMO's and AgriBusiness

2010-09-28T02:36:00.003-04:00

Finally... even the children are learning about our food system and the changes needed for healthier people and a healthier world. If we move away from agri-business and GMO's we have a lot better chance at that goal.

Happy Mothering!

Vaccine Ingredients

2010-09-22T01:24:00.002-04:00

A humorous look at a not-so-funny issue...

Happy Mothering!

Breast Public Service Announcement

2010-08-23T04:04:00.006-04:00

I am voting this video the ~~Breast~~ Best Public Service Announcement EVER! This video not only encourages breastfeeding but addresses the common issues of pain, latching problems, nipple confusion and nursing in public. Every one of us worries "am I making enough milk?" All of these are addressed in this PSA. Equal in importance, this video points out the positives as well: free, easy, simple, beautiful. While some of the slang terms for breasts are ok (such as boobs) there are some I could do without as well. Still.. the point is made.

Happy Mothering!

Homeschooling Facts and Statistics

2010-08-23T03:44:00.001-04:00

Today I share a few facts from The National Home Education Research Institute. The following are a list of facts which I've compiled from RESEARCH FACTS ON HOMESCHOOLING by Brian D. Ray, Ph.D.

While homeschooling is an age-old practice, 10 years ago it was viewed as "cutting-edge". It is now bordering on "mainstream".
There are about 2 million home-educated students in the United States. The rate of increase each year is growing rapidly.
Homeschooling families save American taxpayers over $16 billion dollars because their children are not in public school. Did you get that? 16 billion dollars!!! (You're very welcome.. no thanks needed.)
Homeschoolers typically score 15 to 30 percentile points above public-school students on standardized academic achievement tests.
Homeschool students score above average on achievement tests regardless of their parents’ level of formal education or their family’s household income.
There is no difference in scores among those whose parents are teachers and those whose parents are not teachers.
There is no difference in the homeschoolers achievement in states with higher government-control of homeschooling than in those with more freedom in their homeschooling.
Homeschoolers score higher on the SAT and ACT tests for college admissions.
Homeschoolers are increasingly being actively recruited by colleges.
Homeschoolers are typically above average on measures of social, emotional, and psychological development including peer interaction, self-concept, leadership skills, family cohesion, participation in community service, and self-esteem. (So much for that socialization issue, huh?)

Adults who were homeschooled:

participate in local community service more frequently than does the general population
go to and succeed at college at an equal or higher rate than the general population
Internalize the values and beliefs of their parents at a very high rate

Happy Mothering!

In Memory of My Daughters' Father

2010-07-12T02:28:00.001-04:00

In Memory of Scotty Tomberlin II

Father to My Beautiful Daughters
March 12, 1977 - July 3, 2010

Your absence is so painful; our hearts so broken.

Scotty, I thank you for supporting our homebirthing, breastfeeding, herbal medicine, cloth diapering, homeschooling, attachment parenting ways, natural-living lifestyle.
The result was these beautiful girls who will grow to be awesome, nature-loving, God-fearing people.
I'm so sorry you're gone. But one of the last things you said was how impressed you were with the "old fashioned" way they are growing up.
I take that with me.

Happy Mothering!

Science Catches Up: Fevers are Helpful

2010-06-16T00:39:00.000-04:00

Finally, science is catching up to what many of us have known for a very long time: Fevers are helpful rather than harmful. We all know that bacteria are killed by heat. This is why we cook our food. Yet when bacteria attack our bodies, we run for the acetaminophen or ibuprofen to take away this natural killer of germs.

Helpful fevers come in from the cold - health - 05 November 2006 - New Scientist

Happy Mothering!

Are We Overusing Car Seats?

2010-06-07T19:42:00.001-04:00

While it is not a subject I've often addressed here, it is one which we've had discussions about at home and among other "primal" moms. The use of strollers and car seats as means of carrying children around simply seems unnatural and illogical to me.

Mothering.com has an excellent article on the overuse of car seats. So I'll let them do the talking today.

They’ve been called the SUVs of the stroller world, and a quick glance in any baby store will show you how popular they’ve become.

Visit the original article Car Seats are for Cars

Happy Mothering!

"Crying It Out" Damages Babies' Brains

2010-04-28T23:49:00.000-04:00

An article just came out which states that recent studies "show high levels of the stress hormone cortisol develop in babies when no one answers their cries" and that this can be toxic. While the statement doesn't surprise me, the fact that it's being called "recent" makes the idea sounds so new. This idea is certainly not new. I know that I told people this no less than 7 years ago. Still, it doesn't make the information any less factual.

You'll find the article at Crying it out 'Harms Baby Brains'

Happy Mothering!

Name-Calling: OK for Parents?

2010-03-17T22:57:00.000-04:00

Child #1: You're so stupid!
Child #2: Am not! You're an idiot!
Child #1: Am not!

And on it goes. We've all heard it. We've all done it. Hopefully, we stopped it when we were children. Many of us haven't. But is there any danger in growing up to be a name-caller? Are there negative effects to calling our children (or even our spouses) names?

The Purpose of Name-Calling

There is a purpose behind name-calling. Whether an adult or a child is the perpetrator, the purpose remains the same: To take power from another and give it to one's self. And this is precisely what qualifies "name-calling" as verbal abuse. Taking another person's power away from them is never OK.

The Effects of Name-Calling

Any negative label or insult has the potential to hurt a person's feelings. (Of course, this is the entire purpose of name-calling.) This is particularly so when it comes to children. Children who have been insulted by their parents (being called careless, sloppy, stupid, brat, idiot) often remember these insults well into adulthood. But far worse than the hurt feelings they feel at the moment or even the memory of those feelings are the long-term consequences.

Full grown adults who are regularly subjected to name-calling and insults (verbal abuse) are eventually affected by it. The more they are subjected to it, the more they believe the words, come to feel inadequate, incompetent and even unloveable. (In fact, those who perpetrate domestic abuse use this tactic as their main brainwashing method to keep the abused partner in their control.) If this is the effect on a fully grown, mature person, how much more powerful is it to a child whose personality is still developing?! Once a child entertains the ideas that he is worthless, useless, damaged, bad, defective or unloveable, he tends to live up (or down, in this case) to that self-image. The labels become crippling.

Parenting through Name-Calling

"Ok, I see that in a marriage or with a co-worker, this could be bad, but is calling my child a brat really all that bad?"

In the parent-child relationship, the adult is superior. A superior position demands a certain amount of responsibility. Like a boss over employees, you must make judgements and have a certain product that you are responsible for producing. Your role as parent requires that you teach your child to fit into society as a happy, well-adjusted human being. Verbal abuse does not fit into the production of that sort of person. Your child will not be well-adjusted if their self-image is warped; they will not be happy; and certainly an unhappy person with a warped personality cannot fit into society!

As parents, we are always teaching. ALWAYS. Everything we say and do, good or bad, is a lesson for the child. Call your child _________(fill the blank) and you've slammed shut so many doors to success! Their door to happiness; their door to success; their door to liking themself; their door to a happy non-abusive relationship as an adult.. all slammed shut. With all doors closed, they're closeted into that label of being _________ (fill in the blank again).

So how do we stop the name-calling? The answer in my next post.

Happy Mothering!

A Homeschool Family

2010-01-05T20:24:00.002-05:00

I stumbled upon this video on Ebay of all places. How could I not smirk and then share this homeschool family video?

Socialization: The Myth Put to Rest

2009-12-22T10:56:00.007-05:00

Over the years, I've addressed the issue of socialization. People are often concerned that our children are sheltered and therefore won't be able to deal with "the real world".

Ironically, it is only the non-homeschooling families who have this concern for our children. We homeschoolers realize that our children spend vast amounts of time socializing and not simply with people their own age, but with people of varied ages from birth to the elderly thereby gaining the benefits of knowing all sorts of people and levels of wisdom.

As for the "real world" problem: While their counterparts are sitting in an institution surrounded by people born in the exact same year as themselves for 6 hours per day (sheltered from the real world), our children are spending their days living life in the real world.. home, bills, chores, shopping, working, interacting with people, outings of all kinds, traveling to different places meeting all sorts of people.

In speaking with my daughter today, she posed the analogy: If you stick a bunch of one year olds in a room together all day and tell them "socialize", How will they gain any wisdom? Will they learn to speak? How will they ever know anything beyond what the other one year olds know?

Good questions. I know two girls who are approximately 20 years old who were fully educated and "socialized" by the public school system. Both of them highly intelligent, well-spoken girls. Neither can cook. Neither can shop. Neither can plan a nutritious meal but only frozen food, burgers, pizza, hot dogs. Neither can manage their money effectively. Neither can intelligently communicate with younger ones or older ones in the world. Their comfort level is limited to their age-group peers. It's sad to see.

Now we have a study has been conducted which should (but probably won't) put this myth to rest. Until recently, "Homeschooling Grows Up" was the only study conducted in order to address the socialization of home-schooled adults. We now have a new longitudinal study entitled “Fifteen Years Later: Home-Educated Canadian Adults”. This study surveyed homeschooled students whose parents participated in a comprehensive study on home education in 1994. The study compared homeschoolers who are now adults with their adult peers. I'm sure the naysayers will be astonished.

Read on: Socialization not a Problem

The Dangers of Being Too Clean

2009-12-21T19:13:00.003-05:00

Years ago, I wrote an article on germs and the benefits of exposing our children to them. A child picking up that toy off the floor then placing it in their mouth or digging in the dirt and put those dirty fingers in their mouth is not only not unhealthy but is actually beneficial to building their immune system.
The child raised in a somewhat "sterile" environment, is actually in danger of catching more illnesses than other children. (Check the stats.. hospitals are where you find the most germs including MRSA.)

This idea that children should be happy and dirty at times is not a new concept. However, it is a forgotten one. My adult children had a saying when they were younger: "God made dirt. Dirt don't hurt."

It seems that modern science is now catching up to some good old fashioned common sense. (Isn't it amusing when they must do all this high-tech research to find out what man has known for thousands of years?)

Read on: http://www.naturalnews.com/027780_germs_inflammation.html

10 Reasons Against "Cry It Out" Method

2009-12-12T00:05:00.000-05:00

I just came across a wonderfully informative article which shares the author's reasons for not using the "cry it out" method for sleep. This is the most informative article I've seen on the matter. While I've read much over the years about the emotional results of this method, this article gives us an education in much more than that. Check out PHD in Parenting's article at : http://www.phdinparenting.com/2008/07/05/no-cry-it-out/

Baby Mamas (Put a Sling On It)

2009-12-07T14:17:00.008-05:00

A friend of mine shared this babywearing video on Facebook. I had to pass it along for all of you attachment parenting mamas!!!

School is Not for Socializing — Out of the Mouths of Public Schoolers!

2009-09-07T15:20:00.000-04:00

Socialization.. the homeschooler's "S" word. It is of major concern to everyone. Well.. everyone except the homeschoolers anyway. I was just stumbling and found this very interesting article on a situation where the teacher herself points out that school is not a place for socializiation. (Snickering? Not me! Of course not!)

Go read the article for yourself.
School is Not for Socializing — Out of the Mouths of Public Schoolers!

Primal Mommies

Oh Jezebel, You Flatter Me!

I'm Pregnant and I Know It

Unschooling: What Exactly Does That Mean?

school/sko͞ol/

The History of Circumcision

Mother-Daughter: Self-Esteem

Public Schools Pathologize Childhood

When Food Isn't Food at All

Stupid/Shocking Things Said by OB's and Nurses

Baby Dies After Circumcision: What is YOUR problem?

Beautiful UBAC

Out of the Mouths of Babes: GMO's and AgriBusiness

Vaccine Ingredients

Breast Public Service Announcement

Homeschooling Facts and Statistics

In Memory of My Daughters' Father

Science Catches Up: Fevers are Helpful

Are We Overusing Car Seats?

"Crying It Out" Damages Babies' Brains

Name-Calling: OK for Parents?

A Homeschool Family

Socialization: The Myth Put to Rest

The Dangers of Being Too Clean

10 Reasons Against "Cry It Out" Method

Baby Mamas (Put a Sling On It)

School is Not for Socializing — Out of the Mouths of Public Schoolers!