I began my natural living journey over 10 years ago when I started exploring organics and eating healthier. While I still had a not so healthy addiction to sugar, I was trying to make a change for the better; switched to water over soda, started limiting red meat and butter and doing what I do best research and learn as much as possible. Over the last 10 years we have pretty much gone from a meat and cheese loving diet to mostly vegetarian/vegan, and organic whole foods. While having kids only solidified our commitment to healthier eating and living, eliminating commercial detergents and cleaners and choosing cotton, wood, glass and stainless steal over synthetics; our journey to parenthood was not as clear cut as most.

At a very young age (possibly because my mom had a child when I was 12 and I witnessed first hand the demands of a newborn) I had more insight into the realities of parenting than most adults and knew parenting was difficult and an endeavor I wanted nothing to do with personally. I knew it was more than cute clothes and little toes; it was a whole human being that you are resopnsible for for the rest of your life! But being a child of divorce (I’m actually shocked when I meet people my age whose parents are still married!) the family dynamic, parent-child interactions, child development, child advocacy were always topics that interested me. I actually ended up majoring in family studies in college and then went on to get my masters degree in community services with a concentration on child development. My mission was to try and help families be healthy, strong and supported so both parents and children could achieve their highest potential. You see, when I said I didn’t want kids, it wasn’t because I didn’t like kids, in fact quite the opposite. I felt (and still do) that children deserve to be born to parents who are ready, willing and able to provide them with their love, attention, affection and commitment to be the best parents for that child. In my teens and 20s I knew that I was not that person…but there was always a lingering question in my mind.

I met my husband in college at the ripe age of 19 and of course we both were happy to declare that we would never have kids. And we were happy with this decision for quite some time. It was only after we both turned 30 that we started discussing and the thought of having a child started to become a possibility. Then, on our 10th wedding anniversary our Sweet Pea was born and life as we knew it changed forever! Waiting till I was ready, willing and able (and more to the point, waiting till the husband was ready, willing and able) has made all the difference for us. We often run in to negativity over our commitment to our kids’ diets (as we limit sugar and prefer organic, whole foods and mostly vegetarian), sleep needs (they go to bed early and we feel they benefit from this), cloth diapering, tv limits and our gender defying practices (Sweet Pea’s wardrobe does include pink and purple but also includes blue, green, red, orange and black, which is bought in both the girls’ and boys’ section; she also plays with trucks, cars, trains, dirt, dolls, plushies, blocks and anything else that sparks her imagination and Babu is no different); but I assure you that we are confident in our choices and watching our children blossom into loving, healthy, happy individuals is all the validation we need.

I believe that no one leaves the hospital (birth center, birthing tub, etc.) thinking “I’m going to try and do the worst possible job raising this kid.” No, in fact I believe that everyone walks away from birth with the highest hopes, wishes and plans for their parenting journey. But parenting is a test in patience, giving up control, learning from your mistakes and making an effort to get beyond your own hang-ups. It is difficult and we can all use a little support, guidance and resources along the way. I am a big supporter of all kinds of families and do not believe there is a one-size fits all recipe for parenting. I promise not to judge your decisions; I ask that you do the same. I am enjoying this ride and hope you are too!