The Nursing War

I was reading a blog recently, actually, what was in the blog was less interesting than the ensuing "conversation".  I put that in quotations because it's impossible to call it a conversation.  Basically the blog article was about Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution and the lack of good dietary choices.  This, apparently, leads directly into a heated debate about women who feed their children "dangerous, unhealthy formula".

*Sigh*

Haven`t we made it past this yet?

I think it's pretty much a given by now that breastfeeding is the preferred choice.  Why on earth do we have to stomp all over other moms who can't?  This isn't new...  there have been wet nurses since the dawn of time, but for some reason that idea makes us squeamish now, so we came up with a really good solution: formula.  Sure, it's not the ideal, (in an ideal world, babies would feed themselves and never poop) but it's kept probably millions of kids alive who otherwise would have been malnourished and suffered the effects of that. 

I was formula-fed, have no allergies, no health problems, and am not obese.  I do wear glasses, but so do both of my parents (breastfed), while my brother (also formula fed) does not.  Oh, Lactivists!  please run over here and tell me that I'm an anomoly!  I sure am lucky to have made it this far.  Perhaps tomorrow I'll be hit by a bus and you can blame my lack of peripheral vision on my infant diet. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm all over breastfeeding...  it's cheap, convenient and healthy, I nursed Girl for 14 months (longer than I initially thought I would).  I also have ZERO problems with others choosing differently.  I don't see the point. 

I try to feel compassion for the cranky folks.  Maybe they are sleep-deprived or something, but I think overall it comes down to competition.  It's easy to point the finger and look down on someone for something (whether wrong or not) if you haven't had to make that choice. 

Formula moms...  this is for you:  You are wonderful.  You are nourishing your child and there is nothing wrong with it.  Thank you for caring enough for your child to ensure their health and welfare.  Please ignore the snarky moms who have nothing better to do than exalt themselves for their own wonderfulness.  All breastfeeding moms aren't like this.  Forgive me for not standing up for you when I should have. 

To the nursing moms (or just moms in general) who stomp all over others to make themselves feel better: 

Shove it.

Diary of an Inventor, Part 13

It's really convenient that I have a diploma in Public Relations and Marketing.  Sometimes I marvel at how things worked out.  From the day I graduated, I didn't really want to be a PR person, but the skills I learned in those classes are skills I have used over and over.  Graphic design, marketing, website design, etc etc etc.  Man, it's saving me a LOT of money. 

I'm almost ready for my first licensing pitch.  I have a letter, a full-colour brochure, a website and a prototype.  All of which are geared subliminally to the company I'm hitting up first.  I chose that company because I feel my product fits well with their line, I like their style and I think if I lived anywhere close to them I'd be happy working there.  It looks like a fun, young environment.  

I sent my brochure to the printer today and ordered 30, but I hope I end up with 29 leftovers.  I'm not putting all my hopes in this company, but hey, a girl can dream!  It would be a great story to be able to say "the first company I pitched to snapped it up".  Unreal and unlikely, but understandable.

Busy.

I feel like I'm really busy.

I'm not really gainfully employed (and if I ever become so, I hope to leave out the word "employed"), but still there is no end to the to-do list.  There are not enough hours in the day (I do not forfeit beauty sleep, I need every second I can get) or enough caffiene to keep me getting through every task.   The funny thing is, every deadline, every job, and every hour at the computer is 100% self-imposed.  (Well, the personal hygiene parts are imposed upon me by society, but that's ok with me). 

I don't know why I push myself, when others would look at me and say "You know, you don't HAVE to do it".  They don't understand that I DO.  Just because I don't have a boss (other than Girl) nagging me or quotas to fill, my job is being Me.  And Me can't let me have a break.  

I have a strong need to finish things I start.  I'd never be able to live with myself if I don't.  Complacency and laziness aren't qualities in life I'll look back on and think "Hey, that was a good move". 

That said, I also will not sacrifice.  Girl will not live in want of her mom.  Husband will be fed and we'll all sit together and enjoy meals together.   We will be happy, and I will get as much done as I can while they both nap.

I Pee Alone.

I've gotten used to peeing with the sound of wailing coming from the hallway. 

I don't know why Girl is so fascinated by the toilet (or potty as she calls it).  Ok, well, I do know.  It's a fun water table/toy whirlpool that can entertain for hours, or until our septic field turns into a mooshy, squishy mess.  Even though I know WHY she enjoys it so much, I prefer to pee alone.  It's a solitary activity. 

I don't like to talk to people in other stalls of public washrooms.  I don't need entertainment or company.   Even though she's only a year old, I prefer not to have Girl there.  I'm a bad mom and I'm ok with it.

She is deprived of the fun I'm having without her.  I try to make sure she's well distracted before I make my move.  Hopefully she's busy enough that I can get in, and out before she makes it all the way down the hall.  If I'm too slow, or gave her something uninteresting to do, and she catches on, there's not much I can do but call lovingly through the door "I'll be right out honey".  Sorry kid, I don't need backup.

I know it's supposed to be a good idea to get the kids involved in this kind of thing, because it helps them understand the whole potty/toilet thing, thus making for easier potty training.  I think I can just tell her.  She's pretty smart. 

Maybe it's because the sound of peeing makes her laugh and point.

Diary of an Inventor, Part 12

So it's here, the day we've all been waiting for.  (I assume you have all have been on the edge of your seats). I can now be crazy and put my invention out there for the world to see, protected (as much as one can be) by my Provisional Patent.  It's a little freaky.  In some ways I prefer the secrecy and closed doors and envelopes marked "CONFIDENTIAL".  It's a lot easier to be happy with something you have done if you don't have to put it out there for the scrutiny of others.  I believe in myself and in my idea, but that doesn't mean others have to. 

I guess that's the game though.  Skydiving wouldn't be fun if it wasn't for the idea that it's dangerous and you could die, so I guess inventing isn't fun unless there is a great big chance you're going to fail.

I hope I don't fail.

I also hope you didn't think I was just going to plop it up on here right away.  I thought about it and came to the conclusion that I need to debut my invention in the proper way.  A bit of flash, some bang and a bunch of confetti.   I had hoped to be ready by now, but being behind schedule is how I keep myself perfectly stressed out (nervous energy burns calories).