The Business of Being Born

OK everyone, watch this following trailer. It's time for us to shatter myths and take our power back regarding the birthing process. I really encourage you to watch this film and start talking / asking questions:

http://thebusinessofbeingborn.com/trailer.htm

Safe Baby Bottles

I couldn't help but cut & paste this great posting from http://www.yoyomama.ca/ re. safe baby bottles, what with all the frightening info coming out about our fav bottles (Gavin grew up on Gerber bottles). Check out some safer alternatives:

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Safer sipping
History has shown us that you’re always on the lookout for safer sipping options and there are more on the market every day. Sure you know your Sigg cups and your Klean Kanteens, but here’s an update on some new arrivals in the oeuvre – in a whole range of price points.

Why the worry? Recent research has shown the potential dangers of Bisphenol-A, a chemical found in polycarbonate plastic which is a known developmental, neural and reproductive toxicant that can leach into bottle and sippy cup contents.Wee.Go Glass Bottles with Silicone Sleeves ($19.99)Each of these funky glass baby bottles come with a silicone sleeve protecting them from breakage and bumping. The bottle ring and cap are polycarbonate-free and the nipple is latex-free and non-toxic. Available at: http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001uqX1DdvHPc6ypjTuc5D1AZZTcDzgMfBT0wPgW1-GWKZTFNc0f8EzAoNyR4OGYUVUrQDLzNvKeBpOw4XZaGjw7h5dXFfsthSs29KO-SgULBYCTD4-0BZfpUaxy6sMjOmv6YXurA0F1g1LiFwfexswLQ==
Adiri Natural Nurser Ultimate Baby Bottle ($32.99)This Bisphenol-A and polycarbonate-free nurser has a unique breast-like shape that mimics breastfeeding. We know they’re available at Crocodile and check their site for a list of online and US Retailers: http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001uqX1DdvHPc4Dj593Pxmh_6X6x6Wt6TWNurxbd1KZcdiWjjQd5OcO8X6RZv-CSAb7RQLCXZepZLHHg0Ue5wt4tqjHj7LGtYNT90rDijiD7ljUFpS6T40AU9DN5yDMMRNNKYnewFWjHl8=

Born Free (from 13.75)Widely available, Born Free offers a range of glass and plastic Bisphenol-A free bottles. They also offer training and drinking cups for older kids. Available at: http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001uqX1DdvHPc5UrFfystPcwt2hHCzmPsCaKVnDjysTW4CihUUq5Es0crY2Fvyg5wopjhBi90aObALmV_AVrKKfp0WuNqnjsWuL37k6ko9tox8kOfJNrhEqwDkcLvLAfak_eSCKc9aOpiGqwa47FfU1yA==

Green to Grow (from $9.50)We mentioned these well-priced bottles that convert to sippy cups briefly at Christmas time, but we didn’t want to leave them off this list. They’re Bisphenol A, phthalate, lead and PVC-free. Available at: http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001uqX1DdvHPc4T9qNJI1pi1-v1LCt_goutB3YyZdGMYRTTp1p_KxwbBaylA-9BwDHZ-eep_W7iz3URCoMEpipT9xIOv3EWAFTqxnHyEz7BuZZ4Y1_rwa1-Z1ohP8rJGbh6

Thermobaby Glass Bottles (from $9.50)From France, Thermobaby Glass Bottles come with a silicone nipple. Their website doesn’t have a list of retailers, but we know they’re available at Crocodile and Hip Baby.
thinkbaby Bottles (from $10)thinkbaby’s bottles are free of Bisphenol-A, PVC, lead, phthlates and nitrosamines and they come with a high-grade silicone nipple. Available at:http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001uqX1DdvHPc5y6nC55o2KOjAc0hwruXA7YGR82SN2zGMAzzjYGpYgu_ya22Rb4ffLjvySruL1UclRbtGsZhiwSPKh1TrunnTfO_Q7F8GAWi-TBuqZoB_FeBap8WQHeMfFpeu4_rBL2oA=

And if you missed the green bottle revolution and your kids are older, you’ll want to check out the Safe Sippy ($17.95). Made of non-toxic, non-leaching stainless steel, the Safe Sippy has a thermoplastic rubber sleeve, and a no-leak straw-like spout. Their website also has easy-to-understand info about plastic chemicals and why you want to avoid them. Available at: http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001uqX1DdvHPc5IKXohM9IuGRcOSlEsUjq2AO6Zd_geeVb1vTB-cdMP0EQV_REvZsg68lgMwnqVxIhFmYB5mSivbzDQwFXzgoeIzVKNsSmAm9wEhRqqpxqNbYWCGwgoeqlWp5JOYCUzGUkW_bIiX73uLg==

New Article

Hi All,

Following is my latest article as featured on http://www.yoyomama.ca/ . Check it out.....but first, check out my new hairdo!!! I finally chopped it off after all these years. I just got sooooo sick and tired of the boring 'ole ponytail. As Rob so loving says: "I'm surprised how good it looks." LOL! Hope you like my latest article and hope to hear some article suggestions / ideas from you soon:

We like to start off each month with tips and ideas from our parenting expert, Jenny Schafer of Evolved Parenting. Her monthly columns are designed to help us over common parenting hurdles. This month Jenny answers a question about positive discipline and invites you to email her with your parenting questions as well.

Dear Evolved Parenting,

What do you mean by positive discipline? I’ve read about “positive reinforcements” and “redirecting” techniques and have tried them with my children but they don’t seem to work. My kids always fall back to their bad behaviors. I’m also concerned that I won’t have the time and energy to use these strategies with all three of my children. Also, one of my children has a cognitive disability. Would these strategies work with her?Sherry, Mother of 3

Dear Sherry,

Positive disciplining techniques are ongoing educational aides used by parents with their children to create a peaceful family environment. Positive disciplining strategies guide children toward a high level of self-discipline, self esteem and empowered choices. It is effective in all sizes of families and encourages autonomy in all of your children, regardless of age or abilities. Strategies such as positive reinforcements, redirecting, problem solving, actively listening to your children and “Time-Aways” are some of the positive disciplining techniques Evolved Parenting teaches. These positive techniques prove how disciplining is something parents do with and for children as opposed to being something done to children. Positive disciplining is not difficult or time consuming. It does take practice to re-train your thinking and your words when disciplining your children, but when done consistently you’ll notice a positive difference in your children and in your overall family environment.

Put it into context by thinking about your own self-discipline. A self-disciplined person takes pride in her/his self (mind, body and spirit). Do you live according to a strong moral code and try your best at everything you do on a daily basis? Your level of self-discipline affects your children’s self-discipline. Displaying confidence and pride in yourself will help to encourage a high level of self-discipline in your children.

So what questions do you have for Jenny? Ask away. Who knows, your topic may end up a feature in a future column from Evolved Parenting. Email Jenny at jenny@evolvedparenting.ca or visit her website for more info.
Jenny Schafer, creator of Evolved Parenting, is a mother, social worker, trained daycare provider and former nanny. For more information visit evolvedparenting.ca.

Happy New Year

Happy 2008 everyone! Here’s hoping you and yours had a great holiday season full of high-calorie foods, family squabbles, and good times with your peeps.

What better way to start the new year than with 2 of my articles on 2 of my favourite websites. Check out my “Relationship Review for the New Year” on westcoastmoms.ca and my “Happy You Year” on yoyomama.ca.


Rob, Gavin and I had a great time in the ‘Loops with our families. It’s always a stretch to see everyone when we’re home since we were both born and raised in Kamloops and have a long list of family and friends to see. This time I didn’t get to see one of my BFF’s (love ya Leilah). I did get to see some of my high school friends and their babies at a mini Kam High reunion. Good times - what a great looking bunch!

I also finally met Baby Julia – the “angel” baby of one of my oldest and dearest friends, Christina Marie.

And of course we spent the majority of time with our families. Our niece and nephew were full of contagious excitement which always makes the holidays that much better. Gavin didn’t really “get it” but was ecstatic to see his big cousins and grandparents again.

And the food. Good lord the food! Thanks to our parents for all their hard work in the kitchen keeping us happy and well fed.

New Years Eve was spent at home fixing the leak and subsequent ceiling damaged we discovered upon our return from the ‘Loops. Poor Rob has been working non-stop since we pulled into our driveway. Apparently it was a slow leak that finally left its mark. Bad timing for us, but we realize this is the reality of being a homeowner.

2007 was a great year for Rob and I and we look forward to the many opportunities 2008 will bring to our family. Here’s wishing all of you the best in this new year.