The Definition of a "Crunchy Mama" (according to Urban Dictionary):
"Mother who supports homebirth, breastfeeding, baby wearing, cloth diapering, co-sleeping, gentle discipline, etc. One who questions established medical authority; tends to be vegetarian and/or prepare all-organic foods. See crunchy and hippie.
'That crunchy mama is breastfeeding in public again!'"
While I remain undecided on having a homebirth myself (the four doctors who make up my child's grandparents would have a collective conniption), I fully support a mother's right to make that choice for herself. I am a passionate breastfeeding lactivist (and IBCLC-in-training). I wear my baby as often as possible and my collection of baby carriers is ever expanding. I like the idea of cloth diapering, but Hubby thinks it's gross, and the truth is, the initial cost is so much more expensive than sticking with disposables. I believe that co-sleeping is natural for babies and cribs are silly. Gentle discipline has always been my way, even as a teacher. I hate using anything with unnecessary dyes or fragrances, especially on my baby. I am vegetarian and I plan on feeding my baby whole natural (preferably organic) foods rather than jarred processed foods through baby-led weaning when he is ready for solids. I am a vegetarian, but that's not a choice I plan on making for Monkey. And don't even get me started about extended breastfeeding! That one's gonna open a big can of worms after Monkey's first birthday.So it seems that, now that I'm a mom, I'm a little bit crunchy. I don't think I'm super granola crunchy, but just a little crunchy (although urban dictionary may beg to differ). Unfortunately, outside of my online circle of friends, I don't have many people in my life who would describe themselves as such, so I often find myself keeping my crunchy opinions quiet. And, you know what? That kind of sucks.
But, what to do? I like my friends so I'm not looking to trade them in for crunchier alternatives, nor do I wish to "convert" them. The truth is, I would guess that most of them would be surprised to learn that I'm a little bit crunchy. Hubby is aware (although slightly in denial) and tolerant of my crunchy tendencies and is even somewhat supportive (as long as the ideas that I propose are not too much more expensive than their less-than-green alternatives as we are on a tight budget these days).
Are there any other closet-crunchies out there?
Don't you just love the fact that you can find like minded mamas online? I LOVE my girlfriends, but I'm also the only one who is cloth diapering and co-sleeping. I think that being able to keep the friends that we have despite our differences make us well rounded people. And those are the qualities that I want to instill in my little one.
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