love of local in Utah
Listening to Myself
There has been a motherhood instinct in me that came immediately after giving birth. To protect. To protect my girls even when my family doesn’t understand, when others find it silly or even when I don’t completely understand it. But there is something in you that starts speaking to you, leads you to decisions, even sometimes hard ones in order to protect your children. Motherhood Intuition.
My “Motherhood Intuition” has told me from day one that my girls need to live in a more NATURAL, back to basics type of world. This comes in many ways- what I put in/on/around their body, what I bathe them in, what they wear, sleep in, eat and breathe.
I know I’m making the right decision when I experience the horrible headaches I get after finding an old cleaning container and use it in place of the homemade mixes we have made. Or the bad tummy aches my girls get when we eat things with items on the nutrition label that I don’t even understand and can’t pronounce.
The trend of sicker and unhealthier children, and how terrified I am that what is surrounding my girls might in fact one day give them huge health problems, has led me to just LISTEN to myself more.
These are clear no brainer signs.
The voice in me says BE CAREFUL. The voice in me says TRY HARDER VANESSA. The voice in me says IT IS NOT SILLY, IT IS IMPORTANT.
Common sense tells me my girls and their mommy and daddy will love a longer healthier life when it is back to pure and natural and clean. Not full of toxins, pesticides and harmful chemicals.
This is why I love this video, and once again, am telling myself that it is time to step it up and try harder. Something in me KNOWS it is essential to raising my little girls.
What do you think about this video? What has your Motherhood Intuition been whispering to you lately?
Sometimes I trust myself and can listen. Then I know deep inside of me that I am doing what needs to be done. That I protect my girls from certain things, people, places OR that I guide them towards certain things, people and places.
And then sometimes I get so frustrated with myself because I let others’ opinions (either given lovingly or not so lovingly) affect how I act as a mother. This is when I become really disappointed in myself. Hopefully with time I learn that I can definitely learn from others but ultimately my “mommy voice” is the most important. Motherhood Intuition is there for a reason and it knows best.
*Daddy intuition too 
Just as important. Sometimes daddies can know things mommies don’t!
Tags: Life
Great video! I posted it last week on my blog. The message is fabulous for all parents… or humans for that matter.
Your post hit a cord. I know people think I am crazy for the decisions I have made with my Savannah…and soon to be with my Devin. I am glad that I listened to myself and my mommy intuition. You inspire me Vanessa…Loves!
I want to do the same but am often overwhelmed. Mostly by the cost. We are students at this stage in our life. It worries me that the cost it is to live this way when it is most important (in my kids first years of life) I can’t afford it. I would love it if you had some cheap ways of doing this.
I know this seems silly but… I need my house clean, like really clean. Do those homemade cleaners really get things as clean? Like in the tub? And in the oven? I’d love it if they do, the fumes are noxious!
I definitely need to step it up as far as a more natural lifestyle for my family. But my mother’s intuition, for me, also speaks “balance.” I know I’m not totally granola so I’ll do what works and feels best for our little family!
Sometimes I have a hard time discerning between things that are biased and things that are not. This video is good, but it does seem a little biased.
I try to do what is best for my family by feeding them fresh and healthy food; produce that is locally grown, food that is more natural, etc. I also try to do things that are safe and economical. I also know that I need to be flexible.
I definitely follow my instincts when it comes to my child, but I also have to be realistic about things. I need to decide what will have the biggest impact in her life and make sure I’m doing the most important things first. If it is something that I feel won’t make a huge difference, then I probably won’t do it.
Mainly I just try to make sure I stay informed from trustworthy and non-biased sources, or at least try to learn what I can from both sides and make an informed decision based on that.
Steph—it is a great video huh, done very well!
Evonne–I know
I was talking about that as well in this post, relationships with people that are healthy or not.
Sarah–I know it is very hard and I think with your “Mommy Voice” you know what is best for your child. Maybe its trying to grow more produce, which is cheap since organic is so expensive. Or maybe you just focus on the “dirty dozen” Yes the natural cleaners do just as a good job. And I know I like things REALLY clean too so it is hard to switch over! You should just try a couple things first and see if you like it. There are really good coupons that I see online and in the newspaper for that organic line by Clorox (7th generation I think its called)
Emily–I don’t think I am totally granola either, some of the things I don’t agree with. Every Mommy is different!
Ashley–I feel like even if things ARE biased (like this video just a bit) they still give great information. You sound like you have a perfect balance on how you do things.
Great post! I think it’s good for all of us to get back to the basics and simplify. Ever since I’ve gone off refined sugar, it AMAZES me just how much sugar is in EVERYTHING. I went to the grocery store last night and I would bet that sugar is an ingredient in at least half of all the items in the store. I just can’t believe how much sugar we and our kids get in all our foods. I’m all for this movement to have food be natural and organic. I do wish it was less political, though. Regardless, I think most biproducts from this movement are good.
(the movie made me a little paranoid, which I try to avoid and just focus on the little things I can do to help our family each day)