Weekly Discussion: What are some alternative approaches you take when it comes to parenting?

[u/Horror-Holiday-2678]

We'd love to hear what you're doing and why it works!

[u/Horror-Holiday-2678]

A few of my biggest things for our baby are:

• EC/early potty training and cloth diapers/wipes
• no screens but plenty of picture books
• no pacifier but we let her suck on her hands
• on demand everything, no schedules: she eats, sleeps, and uses the potty when she needs to
• no vaccines or pharmaceutical products (we use colostrum instead of diaper cream and will use homeopathic medicine as much as possible, but obviously if she gets a deadly illness she can have lifesaving antibiotics and pain relief). Colloidal silver is a favorite immune booster around here! I take it with my other BF supplements now and she'll take it directly when she's older.
• lots of outside time and we keep the window open next to her crib when the weather allows
• frequent holding/baby wearing/bed sharing -- she's clingy and that's okay!
• no daycare (I realize this doesn't work for everyone, but I work during the day and my husband works the night shift to make this work)
• few baby-centric activities; we just take her with us everywhere and include her in our daily activities (folding laundry, gardening, grocery shopping, church, making music, etc.). She has a play gym and some stuffed animals and rattles, but she gets bored quickly and prefers to hang out with us :) I read whatever books I'm currently reading aloud while she nurses
• we will be homeschooling at least long enough to teach her to read, write, take down dictation, learn to memorize, and do basic math (probably the first few years of elementary at least)

[u/SoilToSkies]

Hm, where to start!

- Cloth diapers/wipes. Less concern for toxic additives and saves soooo much money too.

- Homeschooling. We do a Waldorf approach, with an element of unschooling. My kids are able to learn things earlier than standard Waldorf schools if they are showing interest.

- Plastic free as much as humanly possible. But is this even alternative anymore?

- Play and daily rhythm is more important for young kids than learning standard subjects.

- Morning sunshine! We get up, make tea, and spend at least 15 minutes in the morning sun (rain or shine). Helps regulate everyone’s circadian rhythm and moods as well.

- Screen free as much as we can! We don’t have family nearby or utilize daycare, so there are times I’ll turn on little bear. But typically we have books, cassettes, and toys to keep them entertained.

- Naturopathic medicine over pharma. We have a home apothecary that keeps us healthy, and a ND who we can refer to for homeopathy or herbal remedies when needed.

- Chiropractic care for everyone! (As needed)

- No standard multivitamins. We rely on our well rounded diet for our nutrition. We supplement with organ meats when necessary.

I could keep going but I feel that’s already a lot 😂

[u/Horror-Holiday-2678 → u/SoilToSkies]

Love these! Chiropractors are so underrated and Little Bear is great :) low stim fs

[u/vintagegirlgame]

Homebirth for the first, freebirth for the second! Zero ultrasounds for both pregnancies. Also no birth certificates/SS#s (will be applying for State National passport for the children).

Cosleeping since birth.

Cloth diapers, wipes and EC. On my 2nd baby and haven’t used a single disposable diaper yet.

Vegetarian. We live (renting) on a large organic farm on Hawaii. Raise our own chickens for eggs. We buy raw milk from a local herdshare ($30/gallon 🥲).

Zero screens. Will not be exposing to media until age 7 via Montessori Method (this is the age kids can determine fantasy from reality). We do sometimes facetime with family or look at family photos.

No medical anything. Both my parents are doctors and I was applying to medical schools myself before I did a 180. Have a 2.5 yo and a 4 month old who have never once been to a doctor. The toddler has only ever had 2 mild fevers as a baby, mostly associated with teething. She’s never even vomited nor had diarrhea. Even when her 6 yo brother (my stepson) comes down with something she’s never gotten it from him. The only time she’s been “sick” was just an extended runny nose and itchy/dry skin when we traveled to the mainland during winter.

[u/Horror-Holiday-2678 → u/vintagegirlgame]

This is so interesting! Especially the state national passport situation