Hedgenotes — Family Life

Who knew what a decade would bringTen years ago, if I could have glimpsed myself as I am today, I think perhaps I'd have been surprised. Not straight up shocked, as the seeds were already there, but surprised at how they grow. In December 2009 I'd been married 1.5 years and Nathan's absolute love for me was changing everything. Our souls found each other, merged, and their combined fire protects us, fuels us, and lights our path forward. We choose every day to tend this shared flame with the utmost of care.  In 2009 we lived in a small one...

Some mothers rise like a Phoenix from the ashes into their fourth trimester and beyond, supported and nurtured and reborn into a new wholeness. More often than not though we claw our way out alone; bloodied and bruised; spitting the ash from our mouth that chokes and silences us. But if mothers are anything we are resilient and resourceful. I fully believe that the knowledge of what we each need to be healthy and happy and whole is within us now.  The seed of our truest self is growing in the soil of our soul and just waiting to burst forth when it gets the water and the sunlight and the nutrients it needs.

As a passionate and vocal advocate for respectful connected parenting, and as the neurodivergent mother of a PDA Autistic child and a probably ADHD but at the very least Highly Sensitive child.... one of the questions I often hear is "What about when a child "needs consequences? What about when they NEED to be punished? What do you do then? Because sometimes 'a talk and a hug' isn't enough you know. I want MY kids to grow up to be good people not spoiled brats"  Phew. I both love and hate that question/statement. My ego stings at the implication I'm raising...

2018 - - it was a big year for our family, and for me. We moved. I turned 40. We celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary. But there was SO much more to 2018 than just those events.

Hitting your child in the form of spanking is technically legal at this point in Canadian history but that doesn't make it beneficial or good in any way. 50 years of evidence shows that corporal punishment in ALL forms causes harm to our kids. As parents today, we have the opportunity to do better by our kids.