A Couple of links of interest

mostly to me, but disturbing nonetheless:
http://www.whale.to/w/baby_milk2.html

This is another reason why I am a lactivist.

Secondly, there is this article:
http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/418676.html


This is another reason that I have chosen not to spank Kiera. I really don't think its necessary and I can find other creative ways to discipline her without hurting her or embarassing her.
Micheal Pearl has some pretty horrific ideas about parenting, beginning with "blanket training" when they are 6 months old by hitting them with a switch when they wander off the blanket. This child died because of suffocation and being beaten with an instrument advocated by the Pearls. yes the Pearls are a bit whacky, and unfortunately many people follow his methods. I personally couldn't fathom raising Kiera in such an adversarial, depressing environment where she would be treated like a dog, or worse than, on the basis of "behavioural science". like when I give Bentley a treat he does what I want, if he doesn't I smack him. well I never did that with Bentley, but the idea is basically the same.


And its not as if I don't have moments. this weekend we were at my BILS wedding. I was of course, doing most of the parenting because Doug was standing up with his brother. the problem is I am 32 weeks pregnant and can move roughly the pace of molasses. I barely saw the wedding. I was chasing her. I was really between a rock and a hard place because if I let her wander I get looks for not controlling my child, but if I try and set a boundary with her about what she can and cannot do, she screams. I really would prefer not having a screaming child during someone's nice speech. it was frustrating. but I know that she is a completely normal almost 2 year old and I am going to make sure my expectations and her behaviours are about the same. as she gets older I will demand more. but I can't at this point. it kind of stinks. anyway, she ran away from me. in the nicely wide open doors to the outside. and she kept running, of course thinking its hilarious to see her hugely pregnant mother trying to catch her. I should have 5 stepped her, but honestly, at that point I was ready to pull my hair out. I grabbed her, and she screamed, which was fine because no one could hear her and it took all I had within me to NOT smack her little bum. I knew if I HAD smacked her, I would have done it in anger and frustration and what would she have learned? absolutely nothing except to be afraid of gettting hit by the one who is suppose to love her. so I didn't. and then I wasn't as mad. and then the reception was almost over and there would be two parents to run around after her. and I really think I would have been totally fine if I wasn't so huge. sigh.

She did look totally adorable, and my camera went pyscho so I don't have a single personal picture of how she looked. but there were lots taken. so I will post one when I get the chance (Uncle Ryan...need pics here!). as I got on the last flight home, I thought to myself I AM GOING NO WHERE FOR 10 weeks! WHA HOO! at least on a plane. I am glad. travelling is stressful. I am glad when I go with Doug, because it helps a lot. but travelling whilst preggers is a completely different story. it sucks.