Normal

In juxtaposition to my title, I am about to do something that is not actually so normal for my blog...or myself. I've decided to open up and make this blog something interesting. Not that learning all about Belle's progress isn't interesting... for me & Grandma ;) (and who else really reads this anyway?). One of the reasons why I started this is because I love to write. But because I'm a little hesitant to voice my opinions, I don't do much writing on here. So I'm going to talk more about what it's like to be a mom, and what I'm doing to create a world for my baby. SO get the word out, mommies because I'm hoping for a dialogue. I want reactions from people and I want to see how other moms view raising a kid right now.

Katie was over here the other day and we were swimming with our little ones (hers is getting bigger) and yes, drinking a little wine and she brought up something that I've thought a lot about. A friend from Omaha has a blog in which she talked about how she gets to create normal for her child. Katie mentioned that she liked this idea. And I like it too. But also I think it's pretty scarey. After being around children in class, I've seen a lot of different "normals" and it's true that children see the way their life is not only as normal, but as the way all life is. As though every child has what they have, does what they do and not only that but even more specifically, children cannot grasp what may happen when they are not present or that which is outside of them. I digress, but the point is that creating normalcy is really important.

I want Belle's "normal" to be what is actually normal. Which I realize is a very abstract and subjective idea. I'm guessing that lots of people who know me have been surprised or wondered at (but never ventured to ask about) some of my parenting choices. I think everyone does this about others because they are debating how to raise their own children, or their hypothetical children or thinking about the ones they already raised. Anyway, I let Belle watch TV because TV is normal. I let Belle eat fudgepops because that's normal too (and they are delicious). I don't do these things without thought, which is I think why many people oppose the idea. The notion is that parents feed their children junk and fill their brains with junk thoughtlessly and because it's easy. But maybe some people do it because it's fun and they love to see their kids smile. Maybe some parents (like this one) want their children to eat for health and happiness. I hope that someday Belle will sit in her dormroom with a best friend or a new friend, eat a fudgepop, watch something horrendous on TV and laugh. And I also hope that she isn't tempted to do this every day for 24 hours a day, and that is why it is not forbidden in our home.

So that's my incredibly long rant. I feel really weird about posting it, but I think I'm going to give it a try. And speaking of normal....

                                                                        GO IRISH!