Yes I Am Opinionated

What are the three strongest opinions you have and why?

Birth, Parenting, Nature.

I sat here trying to think about just three, because there are many things that I am opinionated about, that I feel very passionate about. Birth and parenting. could perhaps be rolled into one, I did think that, but there are both huge. My opinions around them anyway.

Birth is a big one. I am a huge advocate for natural birth, because it is best for both the baby and the mother. However I do understand that sometimes a natural birth is not an option, and for that reason, it should be the mothers decision, about how and where she wants to birth, her child. I find it crazy, that many women, still doubt themselves and their ability to birth, in this day and age. It's important to remember that women only starting to give birth in hospitals, just over a hundred years ago. Before that women birthed in their homes, attended by a birth keeper.

And yes I know, there were risks, but a woman's body, knows how to birth it's baby. It was designed to do so. It's a beautiful dance that occurs between the baby and the mother, that involves the release of certain hormones. Hormones which are affected greatly by stress, so it's important that the mother feels safe, when she is birthing. Perhaps most importantly, safe in the knowledge of her body's capabilities.

Unfortunately, that is not the case, women are not educated about how powerful they are. How they tap into that power even more when they birth their babies. Instead many are highly medicated, as the whole birth industry is built upon fear.

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I consider parenting, to be the most important thing that I can do, on this earth. To help my girls grow into caring, considerate and critical thinking adults, who will contribute to the world, in many wonderful ways. It's very important to me, that I am present for my children, that I provide them with a safe and loving home. a nurturing, stimulating home. One where they will thrive.

But also one where they will be challenged. Setting boundaries are really important. I have come across parents, who struggle with setting boundaries, when it comes to parenting. Which really backfires on them, but even more so on their children. Because they learn by doing, doing what they experience in life.

As with birth, I am also a huge advocate for natural parenting. Which calls on you, to listen to yourself and your child. To follow your intuition and help your child nurture theirs. For me it also spreads out, to my children living a more natural life. Using natural products, spending most of their time outdoors. Connected to the natural cycles of life.

I must say, it has got a bit challenging as they grow older, but it is only right that I be just as challenged as them.

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Nature, my refuge, my sanctuary. I have some very strong opinions about nature and our relationship with it. How our disconnection from nature, has led to so much of our suffering and to nature's suffering. I get annoyed at how little respect people have for nature. How some believe that they can do as they please, that they can continue to manipulate and destroy our natural habitat and all of it's inhabitants.

I strongly believe that in order for us to live a healthy life, we need to be connected to nature, to the cycles, to immerse ourselves in nature. To spend time in the wild. Being in nature is so healing, our lives have become so much more complicated, since we move away from living in nature. Society today, demands that jump through many many hoops, if we want to be a part of it.

I much prefer a simpler life, one that leaves a much smaller footprint on this wonderful earth.

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I'm not really one for preaching, instead I prefer to live by example. As strongly as I feel about certain things, I also believe that everyone should have a choice, but please can it be an informed one. Not one that is made because of the views of others, but one that comes from your heart, one that really does feel right to you. If only we could all make more conscious decisions.

( Whilst writing this, so many other things came to mind, especially education, religion and veganism. But I wrote what first came to mind and really, education, religion and veganism find into Birth, parenting and Nature, everything is all connected afterall.)

All photos used in this post are mine.