Warning- I know some of you will disagree with what I'm about to say. But these little "nursing pods" make me actually rather angry. Now don't get me wrong, it's a good idea in theory. Having more spaces for mothers to privately nurse/pump in public that promise to be clean and provide outlets and seats is a great thing. But I would not use this one. In the photos, you see narrow seats in a tiny pod with no windows or fans. To me this seems like another way of saying " If you want to nurse your baby you have to separate yourself from anything public." It seems to be saying, once again, that you need to hide to feed your baby. I cannot support this idea. If these places want to support nursing women, they won't alienate them by glaring at them when they are nursing in public. When they ask for a place to privately nurse, they should be provided one in an actual room (that's NOT the bathroom). I start to feel claustrophobic just looking at these little pods.
http://gizmodiva.com/other_stuff/mamava-suites.php
Friday, March 20, 2015
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Making Friends * A Rant *
Those of you who know me know that I have never lived in a particular place for more than 3 years at a time. This has certainly had its challenges, but has taught me so many wonderful things about how to make and keep friends. It has also lead to my learning interesting things about people in general.
For instance, it seems that the ease of making friends is slightly based on what region you happen to be moving to. For instance, some people in certain areas tend to be more guarded and less trusting, and likely won't make the first move toward a friendship. And in other areas, people are generally a little bit more open to the idea of accepting new people into their lives. Even though this can be the case, there are always people with these different personalities no matter where you go, but there is a bit of a difference in the way people behave based on what area they live in. I mean, it makes sense. Big town vs small town; North, South, Midwest, etc. Some of it is more based in culture. I am not intending to say anything bad about any culture; rather I believe very much that the vast array of cultures in this country is what brings our country flavor, color, and beauty.
Now here's where the rant part comes in. I have met so many wonderful people around the country. I have some really awesome friends! I've been living here for just over 4 months now, and I've already met some wonderful people. But it's no secret that making friends is hard to do. I have found that being outgoing and extroverted can be helpful in making friends, but it also seems to push people away before they even can get to know me. That can honestly be heart breaking. Leaves one wondering, "have I been too friendly? Do people just have enough friends already? Should I not go up and introduce myself to people?"
Of course, it may well be unfair of me to think these things. And I certainly don't mind, and completely understand that some just aren't as social as others, and some are extremely busy with other things in life. I have a busy life too, I get it! Kids, work, family, and school take up loads of time.
But I just wish these things were socially acceptable sometimes...
1) I could give a Friendship Resume out to people. Basically, it would verify that I am, indeed, a good friend, I am kind, and I am willing to do just about anything for my friends. This would include, of course, a few reference letters from current friends. (Totally joking.)
2) I could go up to someone on the street, in a store, etc and say " Hi, I'm Brittany. Want to be my friend?" But I do believe if I did that I'd be likely to, at best, be treated like I'm flirting, and at worst be eyed suspiciously and have the cops called on me.
3) I could strike up a conversation without fear of being ignored/eyed suspiciously/having them try to get away as quickly as possible.
Motherhood can be lonely. Life itself can be lonely. We all need a network of friends close by to support and be supported by. So why is this so complicated sometimes? Why is there that fear of not being accepted? Why do there have to be such walls between random people you see at the store/wherever?
So Hey. I'm Brittany. Want to be friends? :)
For instance, it seems that the ease of making friends is slightly based on what region you happen to be moving to. For instance, some people in certain areas tend to be more guarded and less trusting, and likely won't make the first move toward a friendship. And in other areas, people are generally a little bit more open to the idea of accepting new people into their lives. Even though this can be the case, there are always people with these different personalities no matter where you go, but there is a bit of a difference in the way people behave based on what area they live in. I mean, it makes sense. Big town vs small town; North, South, Midwest, etc. Some of it is more based in culture. I am not intending to say anything bad about any culture; rather I believe very much that the vast array of cultures in this country is what brings our country flavor, color, and beauty.
Now here's where the rant part comes in. I have met so many wonderful people around the country. I have some really awesome friends! I've been living here for just over 4 months now, and I've already met some wonderful people. But it's no secret that making friends is hard to do. I have found that being outgoing and extroverted can be helpful in making friends, but it also seems to push people away before they even can get to know me. That can honestly be heart breaking. Leaves one wondering, "have I been too friendly? Do people just have enough friends already? Should I not go up and introduce myself to people?"
Of course, it may well be unfair of me to think these things. And I certainly don't mind, and completely understand that some just aren't as social as others, and some are extremely busy with other things in life. I have a busy life too, I get it! Kids, work, family, and school take up loads of time.
But I just wish these things were socially acceptable sometimes...
1) I could give a Friendship Resume out to people. Basically, it would verify that I am, indeed, a good friend, I am kind, and I am willing to do just about anything for my friends. This would include, of course, a few reference letters from current friends. (Totally joking.)
2) I could go up to someone on the street, in a store, etc and say " Hi, I'm Brittany. Want to be my friend?" But I do believe if I did that I'd be likely to, at best, be treated like I'm flirting, and at worst be eyed suspiciously and have the cops called on me.
3) I could strike up a conversation without fear of being ignored/eyed suspiciously/having them try to get away as quickly as possible.
Motherhood can be lonely. Life itself can be lonely. We all need a network of friends close by to support and be supported by. So why is this so complicated sometimes? Why is there that fear of not being accepted? Why do there have to be such walls between random people you see at the store/wherever?
So Hey. I'm Brittany. Want to be friends? :)
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
The Parent Sanity Project
Hello all. Having small (or older!) children is tough. Every day is another mountain to climb, whether you're pregnant or have 20 kids, and all in between. I never knew how hard it would be until I became a mother, but it is. It's super hard. It comes very naturally, but it's definitely comparable to boot camp in that it tires you out, tries you physically, emotionally, and mentally, and yet it builds you up and makes you stronger and more confident than you ever were before(i'm just assuming here).
Now I don't know if you all feel this way too, but I often feel alienated as a stay at home mom. I mean, I know a lot of other stay at home moms, but it seems like it's the cultural norm to not really show just how worn out and stressed we are. Think about it. After a rough morning when you've cleaned up three messes in one hour, been spit up on, been bitten at least once (by a well intention-ed teething baby or otherwise), and dealt with at least one fit, when someone asks how you are, what do you normally say? Most of us say, "fine," "pretty good, or the slightly more honest, "tired." And I definitely feel a connection to other stay at home moms (and other parents of small children, period). However, I'm probably not the only one who has small children who feels this way- that every day is a challenge that i'm exhausted at the end (or by the middle, or even at the beginning) of. We all LOVE our children, of course. They are immense blessings, and they're lovely, sweet, beautiful, clever, adorable, and we wouldn't trade them for a single thing. I know this as well as you all do. But that doesn't mean we don't struggle trying to be the best we can be for them, and it certainly doesn't mean that the guilt from not being perfect doesn't come back to bite us in the butt. I cab't be the only one.
So, in saying all of this, I really think if we all share a bit more with each other, it will be helpful and healing. So here's my idea. By the end of this month, I am going to take one day and write about all the stuff that happens, good or bad, that is my life that day. It's not going to be excessively detailed, just a summary of what a day in my life is like. I challenge any parent of a small child (or even an older child, if you like) to choose one day out of your life ( by the end of April and write about it. Show the other parents we're not alone. "Bear one another's burdens." Help lonely moms/dads realize that they're SUPER parents just for trying, because we all try, and we all feel like we fail, but maybe if we share more with each other, we might just have an easier time making it through it all.
Now I don't know if you all feel this way too, but I often feel alienated as a stay at home mom. I mean, I know a lot of other stay at home moms, but it seems like it's the cultural norm to not really show just how worn out and stressed we are. Think about it. After a rough morning when you've cleaned up three messes in one hour, been spit up on, been bitten at least once (by a well intention-ed teething baby or otherwise), and dealt with at least one fit, when someone asks how you are, what do you normally say? Most of us say, "fine," "pretty good, or the slightly more honest, "tired." And I definitely feel a connection to other stay at home moms (and other parents of small children, period). However, I'm probably not the only one who has small children who feels this way- that every day is a challenge that i'm exhausted at the end (or by the middle, or even at the beginning) of. We all LOVE our children, of course. They are immense blessings, and they're lovely, sweet, beautiful, clever, adorable, and we wouldn't trade them for a single thing. I know this as well as you all do. But that doesn't mean we don't struggle trying to be the best we can be for them, and it certainly doesn't mean that the guilt from not being perfect doesn't come back to bite us in the butt. I cab't be the only one.
So, in saying all of this, I really think if we all share a bit more with each other, it will be helpful and healing. So here's my idea. By the end of this month, I am going to take one day and write about all the stuff that happens, good or bad, that is my life that day. It's not going to be excessively detailed, just a summary of what a day in my life is like. I challenge any parent of a small child (or even an older child, if you like) to choose one day out of your life ( by the end of April and write about it. Show the other parents we're not alone. "Bear one another's burdens." Help lonely moms/dads realize that they're SUPER parents just for trying, because we all try, and we all feel like we fail, but maybe if we share more with each other, we might just have an easier time making it through it all.
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