Now and Then

Every once in a while I get to thinking about how much my life has changed. The biggest change for me has been the way I think, and view the world. I been raised in an everyday all American home, with normal mainstream ideas and ideals. Then, ten years ago I had my first child. They say children change everything but I had no clue how much. Things didn't change overnight, of course. I started off my journey in parenthood doing everything "normal", following all the rules and advice handed down by more experienced parents and doctors and the common child rearing handbooks (like "What To Expect", and "The Girlfriends Guides") that conveniently echoed the words of wisdom the aforementioned resources gave me.
Incidentally, I have an infant child now that is the same age as my first son was back those ten short years ago (and I have two others in between, now ages 8 and 2). At several different points in time between then and now I came to the conclusion that listening to everyone else and following their advice was just not working for me, or my kids. Those other people didn't have to live in my home and face the consequences of their advice, I did. So we made changes, some little and gradually, others huge and abruptly....and never without resistance from those omniscient advice givers who were offended at my audacity of choosing my parenting and family lifestyle path for myself instead of continuing down the path most often followed.

So let's see what a few major and minor changes amount to in one short decade...

NOW vs. THEN:
•attachment parenting vs. authoritarian parenting

• Cloth diapers (and wicked cute covers and snaps) vs. disposables (and dioxin burns, and sticky tape tabs)

• Naturopaths, homeopaths, chiropractors, vs. Pediatricians

• Home remedies and self treatment vs. Emergency room trips

• Home birth vs. hospital birth (cesarean)

• Coconut oil vs Mary Kay

• Baking soda and apple cider vinegar vs. shampoo and conditioner

• Whole food vs. genetically modified, pesticide sprayed, boxed, bagged, prepackaged, nutrient depleted wannabe food

• Intact immune systems vs. vaccine compromised

• Homemade cleaning supplies vs. Tide, shout, Windex

• Vinegar and sunshine vs. bleach

• Unschooling vs. regular school

• Garlic and homeopathic remedies vs. antibiotics and antivirals

• Stay at home mom vs. working full time and attending college full time (I missed so much)

And most recently...

• Gluten free vs. whole grain

So many things can change in such a short amount of time and I'm so glad. I can't even imagine (nor do I want to) what life would be like for my family if I had not started taking steps off the beaten path.  I hope to continue being adaptable and make whatever changes necessary to offer my children the best opportunities for them that I can. I hope they learn from watching, so they can continue to change and grow instead of wallowing when they have moments and situations in their lives that aren't working for them.

Writing this list out, I can't help but wonder what the next ten years will bring, and what I  would be able to add on this then. I'll just have to wait and see....