Feminist Counterculture Motherhood's topics - tribe.net

into the wild for 4-5 weeks...suggestions?

faithlotus — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:14:21 GMT

So I'm venturing off into the "wild" with my 2 Little's for the rest of the summer. Tryin' to make the most of this awesome sunshine before they get stuck behind desks again for the next school year.

I've been divorced for almost 3 years now and have been on a roller coaster adventure of self discovery; playing with the edges of society-set boundaries; digging for my mama-ness under the layers of a control-freak sailor-mouth self proclaimed pirate warrior, and, well...it's been a long ride. And it's time to hide out in the woods for a few weeks at the very least. This city noise is deafening.

Wonderin' if anyone else has done this before and would like to share what they learned, what they should have brought, etc, etc.

Technically, we have a camper and will be within several miles of friends that live in various Rocky Mountain towns. So it's not really "the wild"...but coming from where we live now, it's mos def wildER.

thanks all!

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 1 reply

Calling All Mothers?! regional Meet-ups?

Amber — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 20:26:57 GMT

An Introduction first. My name is Amber. I am a feminist lesbian parent and have 2 adopted boys. I am heavily tattooed, bellydancing, hooping, soon-to-be fire playing mama. Anyway Where is everyone located? Wouldn't it be kinda rad to have a get together? Maybe regional or something? I would be willing to organize it if there were enough people interested. Just let me know!

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 1 reply

getting pierced.

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 00:32:12 GMT

hmmm hate to sound like my mother, but .NOoOOOOooooooo damn way is my 11 year old getting her nose peirced! nuhh uhh over my dead body.

I'm scared that this is the begining of the end.
How old would you allow your children to be before they began putting extra holes in their otherwise flawless regions, or tattooos? I can't help but mutter under my breath, over my dead body will you be putting any such thing in your nose belly button, etc...etc... under my roof young lady.

They both paid to have their ears peirced at tattoo shops, Everyone in our household has tattoos and my roommates have pretty much everything covered as far as peircings, so it's not like it's not coming to them honestly. We have friends who spend time in India and came back with their daughters nose pierced.. her reasoning was "everyone was doing it, and it looks cool" , at which time i spat hot chocolate all over the dashboard and almost choked mysyelf laughing so hard.... good lord did I use that excuse?

We have a pretty liberal household, My roomates are a married gay couple, I'm singleand bisexual, most of my roommates have been either lesbians or general freaks, so we tend to maintain an open forum to ask anything. When this came up it turned into world war three, and it did come down to me saying, "because I said so, so drop it ! " I almost smacked myself.

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 14 replies

Austin Pagan Parent Alliance

TheHolyJo — Sat, 31 May 2008 04:25:21 GMT

Hi, I'm Jo and I am relocating permanently to Austin in a very few weeks. In my search for family-friendly pagan groups I found a lot of interest in starting such groups but nothing that seemed to be really family oriented. So I decided to start a tribe and see where it can go. If you are interested, please let me know. I thought this would be a great way to meet other pagan families and make new friends while contributing to our community. Feel free to spread the word and share any ideas you might have.
http://tribes.tribe.net/apfa
If there is enough interest on Tribe we can start a regular meetup on this site.

Thanks and Blessed Be!

Jo

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 0 replies

A mom's poignant story.

Leslee — Mon, 19 May 2008 23:24:24 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQW23XCmOCw

This is especially outrageous, when you consider that, the latest studies show that SSRI drugs work for only a very small percent of people.

http://theeffexoractivist.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2296

This mom is not the only one, by far.

www.ssristories.com/index.php

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 0 replies

New here!

Misty — Sat, 17 May 2008 15:43:27 GMT

Well, I am new here. I don't know if people normally introduce themselves but what the heck I might as well! My name is Misty. We live in the Vancouver, WA area. Our family consists of me and mike and our 3 daughters ages 11, 8, 8 months. As I find my true calling in the world, I find myself loving mother earth and being outdoors is such a wonderful thing!! As Mike calls me "Tree Hugger", "Hippie" LOL. All of my kids love to also be in the great outdoors walking barefoot and riding bikes. It's amazing at what's out there that tries to draw kids in..with TV shows, clothing, books etc. We don't buy our children things that might have character print on them or the toys that everyone else has. The girls would much rather do arts & crafts and reuse items from our house or outside.

I am looking forward to chatting with other parents like me.
Misty

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 1 reply

pagan mama's

Julianne — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 18:23:59 GMT

hey, any pagan. wiccan, goddess mama's out there. I have a 16 mo. old & I'm so exited to share the cycles of the seasons with her. Ostara is today & wonder what you mama's are doing?

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 1 reply

any advice on coming out to your kids?

newbie — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 08:51:08 GMT

especially if they are young adults? high school, college age or around there?

fyi: just realized after many decades of being straight that i'm actually bi. am in the process of coming out in concentric circles to safe adults and felt the need to come out to my kids.

oh, and their father is an asshole baptist sunday school teacher.

thanks!

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 8 replies

Tattoos and babys...

americannomad — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 21:09:03 GMT

Hi I'm new to this tribe, I have a cool lil one named Chuck, he's 2 1/2 months old. This morning I woke up to Chuck babling and staring at his dads tattoos! he would put his little hand on his dad, and his dad would grunt! it the cutist thing in the world. I am soo suprised that chuck even notices the tattoos, dose anyone else's lil' one do the same thing?

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 20 replies

dancing out baby

jerushah — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 22:00:24 GMT

Hi mamas,
I am starting a dance/childbirth preparation class in Portland, and bringing it to the bay area for a weekend in December. I am getting the word out there to all mamas who are interested in dancing during labor, or curious to know more. I danced out my daughter and was intensely inspired by the experience. I have been in some form of dance or another as far back as I can remember, but have never known such raw movement before, and found it very effective as pain and energy management during my daughters birth. I am very exited about sharing this experience with other women. If you are in Portland check out www.zenana-spa.com for more info. If in the Bay Area check out www.shoeboxsf.com, and you can get the full scoop. Please feel free to contact me on tribe too.
Thanks!
Jerushah

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 0 replies

Pregnancy and Wearing a Bra

Liz4whirledpeas — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 23:08:49 GMT

Hey, I am pregnant, and have never been much of a bra-wearer. During the first couple months I wore a bra or a camisle while at work, and my breasts were hurting all the time, and the bra helped a lot. But, now that they don't hurt anymore, and I am no longer working, I don't really ever wear a bra unless I am going somewhere that I have to look nice.

everywhere I've read says you MUST wear a bra while pregnant, but they are so uncomfortable! My breasts haven't grown all that much and they aren't sagging... What is your take on this?

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 14 replies

free and easy way to help homeless children

beckeyla — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 22:06:54 GMT

www.railwaychildren-friends.com/email.asp

place this web search-engine in place of your old one and raise 10p per search

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 0 replies

Burlesque and motherhood?

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 21:26:18 GMT

Are there any moms out there who are in to burlesque? Performing producing what ever.....I've just started a comedic burlesque duo and need advice about the biz and mixing the biz with motherhood. Actually even if you have no advice, it would be cool to talk burlesque with other moms.

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 3 replies

how do i tell my child we're taking her to a therapist?

bats — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 12:57:07 GMT

my daughter is 7 going on 8 and her elementary school has recommended that we take her to see a therapist. The guidance councilor says she believes my daughter has O.D.D. (opositional defiance disorder). the school even called a family counciling center they work with & got the ball rolling for us. now i'm working with the in-take specialist to get the appointment set up. my question is this: what do i tell my daughter that won't scare her? this scares *me* and i'm terrified of telling her something that's going to scare her. obviously, i want to be as honest as possible, but my husband and i disagree on the when and hows. he says we shouldn't tell her anything & just take her & do it & just keep it all very low key. but i don't like that idea. i want to give her a good reason for it, i want her to be informed. has any one else out there gone through this? any suggestions?

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 23 replies

interesting sociological book on "menstruation indistry" and more...

Judith — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 22:29:26 GMT

just breezed through this at the public library and think it's worth looking at...

"Capitalizing on the Curse: The Business of menstruation" by Elizabeth Arveda Kissling.

chapters include "marketing menstruation", "pills, profits, PMS, and Pmdd", "manipulation menstruation for fun and profit" (a lot here on chemical "menstrual supression!", "tampon safety debates and product alternatives". also suggestions for action and reflection, "how to rbeak a curse."

the chapter on "the menstrual counterculture" was a little disappointing to me, as I hoped there would be more on the reclaiming-outr bleeding celebrations that Tamara, jeannine, olara owen, and many others have pioneered...probably too much for one small-ish scholarly book, and not an anthology.

recommended reading, a lot of good information and generally body-supportive outlook, including lots of stuff on products, diagnoses and procedures that this Luddite-ish gal who tears up old flannel sheets for menstrual rags has never heard of.

enjoy!

Judith

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 0 replies

new tribe for Portland,OR

Victory! — Tue, 29 May 2007 21:57:29 GMT

PDX Revolutionary Parents

http://tribes.tribe.net/pdxrevparents

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 0 replies

NEW TRIBE

Lisa — Fri, 18 May 2007 02:40:49 GMT

Hi All - I just started a new tribe for ethical consumers of beauty products - Join us for tips and recommendations for cruelty free, vegetarian/vegan and organic products. Thanks tribes.tribe.net/ethicalbeauty

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 0 replies

DOCUMENTY EVERY PARENT NEEDS TO SEE !!!

Leslee — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 18:51:56 GMT

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3609599239524875493&q=The+Drugging+Of+Our+Children&hl=en

http://www.ostrowandcompany.com/film_detail.php?film=The%20Drugging%20Of%20Our%20Children

The Drugging Of Our Children

OVERVIEW

Genre: Feature Documentary
Language: English
Country of Origin: USA
Running Time: 102 minutes

CAST & CREW

Director: Gary Null
Co-Directed by: Producer: Manette Loudon, David Chmura
Associate Producer & Legal Affairs: David Slater
Editor: David Chmura
Cinematographer: Derek Ramsey, David Chmura
Writer: Gary Null
Producer's Representative: Ostrow and Company

SYNOPSIS

How are large drug companies benefiting from the latest trend of selling powerful psychoactive drugs to America's children? Do these drugs really help our children cure symptoms of supposed mental illness, or do they tend to increase depression, violence, and suicide? Are we really treating the root causes of mental illness, or are we just eliminating annoying symptoms?

This feature-length documentary examines the alarming growth in the prescription of powerful psychotropic drugs for adolescents and children. Leading experts, as well as Neil Bush, Michael Moore and Gary Null, provide insightful commentary about the growing trend to pathologize the behavior of children, and then require them to take mind-altering pharmaceutical drugs as a "cure." The documentary recounts the national tragedy of Columbine and focuses on the largely unknown fact that teenage shooter Eric Harris was on the psychotropic drug Luvox at the time he and Dylan Klebold took the lives of 13 other students at their high school. Violence and aggression, precipitated by prescribed drug use, is also explored in an unprecedented discussion between Mark Taylor, the first shooting victim in the Columbine tragedy, and Cory Baadsgard, a teenager on Paxil and Effexor who, in another violent incident, took his teacher and 23 students hostage at gunpoint in his Washington high school. The film proceeds to show the dangerous links between psychotropic drugs like Paxil, Luvox, Effexor and Prozac – commonly prescribed to adolescents for anxiety, depression and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - and the increased incidents of violence, suicide and psychotic behavior often observed in those children and adolescents who are taking the drugs. The film also provides compelling personal accounts, including a mother going to prison and losing her son to government authorities because she refused to give her son psychiatric drugs. Leading medical authorities and mental health professionals speak the unvarnished truth about current increased diagnoses of recently devised mental illnesses and the unprecedented prescription of a host of very powerful psychoactive drugs to "treat" them. Finally, this documentary explores safer, alternative methods for treating childhood mental illness.

TO SEE THE ACTUAL NEWS STORIES (over a thousand)
http://www.ssristories.com

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 0 replies

Moms! Starting a mom punk band!

shadeshaman — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 06:31:59 GMT

Already have a great drummer and a singer who can play guitar (or bass or fiddle, but not all at the same time).
Punk, Old Timey Country, Ska, Glam and anything else that comes along. Except maybe freeform jazz. HipMama readers, coffee drinkers, lactivists and people who annoy the shit out of the PTA are welcome. Bio-moms, step-moms, queer moms, trans moms, chicks who can pass as moms...Make music, make a difference, get street cred with your kids' friends.
Attitude is more important than musical experience, but if you have both, then, great!
Originals and some (in)appropriate covers.
I'm in Oakland....

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 1 reply

Counterculture in a Small Town??

Lisa — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 22:16:07 GMT

Join the tribe and tell me how to do it ...

tribes.tribe.net/smalltownintellectuals

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 0 replies

what to do with a stubborn 7 year old ?

bats — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 01:59:32 GMT

last week i was about ready to take my child to the pound and trade her in for a cat. she flat out *refused* to her homework. despite all attempts at bribery, promises, and finally threats of being grounded. my husband and i can't do her home work for her, we can't force her hand, and nothing we do works. she doesn't care if she gets punished as long as she doesn't have to do her math. any ideas on how to resolve this? because i'm at my wits end. we've tried everything and the school is of little help. we're on a waiting list for private therapy for her, but they haven't given us a date yet. has anyone else had this experience and if so how did you handle it?

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 4 replies

kids snack foods.

Tue, 06 Feb 2007 19:19:46 GMT

I'm in the middle of an arguement with a christian and some other chick about snack foods for kids. Lord help me is my view to far left? I thought tribe was more liberal, gawd was I ever wrong.

http://feedourkids.tribe.net/thread/67fb6f9a-d195-41aa-b182-f059633a8c90?newpostingid=fd8d3609-6b1f-4bce-88ae-e0583f58c38b#fd8d3609-6b1f-4bce-88ae-e0583f58c38b

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 6 replies

Discipline as a authenticity killer?

DiZzy — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 11:16:28 GMT

I have an amazing 3 year old daughter that teaches me so much! Through her I have been faced with the deeply spiritual challenges. The most delicate and undefined one dealing with discipline. I read an Osho book once called The New Child which spoke of discipline as a authenticity killer. I am not an Osho believer but I did see some good points in the book. We discipline our kids to be polite, to be obedient, to do the "right" thing, etc....but how much of this is really killing their instictual and authentic nature? How much repression are we actually imposing on the kids in the name of being "well-behaved"?

On the other hand, how do we shape kids into functional, respecting and compasionate beings? It is our "jobs" as parents, right? A functional household has children and parents that work well together. Discipline is the key.

I have so often found myself in situations with my beloved child where I felt torn between these two concepts...do I discipline or do I let her have the experience she needs right now? The closest I have come to an answer is using my instincts and combining both concepts...dangling on the line between...Not very defined, I know.

What are your thoughts?

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 11 replies

rash from salad dressing

islandgrrl — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 04:13:35 GMT

Hi ladies,
My son gets these red splotches around his mouth where his skin comes in contact with store bought salad dressings, so I was just wondering if that happens to anyone else or if anyone might know what it is that causes it. He doesn't have any other known allergies, and there aren't any other symptoms caused by it. He doesn't get it from homemade vinagarettes, and I can't figure out what it might be from the lables.
I guess my problem is, I'm not sure it's safe to give to him, even though it doesn't cause any typical allergic reactions, such as itching or breathing problems.

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 3 replies

New Here!

Trinity — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 14:49:37 GMT

Hi, All! I've been browsing and thought this looked like a great tribe with some really valuable info. My name's Trin, I'm a 30 year old mama of 3 (and am currently 27 weeks pregnant with #4)...I hope to be able to contribute and learn more...

Trin

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 5 replies

Immunization.

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 04:22:30 GMT

I have chosen not to immunize, I have also brought this up in a parenting group elsewhere and what i took as an non issue has turned into a battle cry for the extreme right. Apperently my choice not to immunise mychildren is being seen as backwards and totally neglectful because I won't buy into the fear...

i would love to hear another point of view on my querry,

I came into the thread asking generally if anyone knew the effects of vaccinating and it's known side effects on asthma.

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 7 replies

Problem child?

Jenexia — Fri, 14 May 2004 18:56:39 GMT

Hello! I have a 4 year old son who is very sweet loving and caring, but just as he is sweet and loving he is that naughty. I feel like its my fault because for the first 2 years of his life I lived with my parents. My parents didnt trust me to raise my child so they took it apon themselves to correct me while I was disciplining my son. This gave my son the feeling that I am wrong in my actions after he has done something bad. Now I have moved in with his father and all he ever seems to do is yell and on occassion talk to him about why he is in trouble, its very frustrating. My son destroys EVERYTHING. The walls, my clothes, drops stuff, and repeats things he heard on TV. And you know what he says? I'm gonna tell grandma. Your a bad mom, and I don't like you. Plus he can't stand to see my boyfriend and I show affection towards each other. Talk about Oedipus. I don't know what to do I'm getting so tired of it. I can't even take him to the park without having to leave because he pushes some kid or calls them a name. I live with my boyfriend but my parents are 3 blocks away so we visit often.
:(

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 25 replies

honoring our bellies and wombs brings radical healing and changes the culture

ALisa — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 04:32:34 GMT

Hello dear women of feminist counterculture motherhood tribe,
I write from Massachusetts on a chilly October night.
I wrote this summer about my unexplainable work of inner predator and prey and how we do that annihilation, judgment, criticism of ourselves on the inside, sometimes outside, however accidental. Now it is the autumn and my work focuses in November on organizing the 8th annual Women's Belly and Womb Conference. Nearly 100 women come dressed in red to honor that we have at some point or other as women bled together. They are sung into the conference with this chant that I wrote.

You were born from a woman. Your mother has a name. No matter what your story with her, we honor the womb from where you came.

We raise up the Red Tent literally and enter sacred space together. There is drumming, singing, connection, community and truth telling. There is bellydancing, bellypainting, belly breathing, belly herbs, bellyaching and sharing our guts. From workshops, to our entire conference having a healing session, to celebration, to surprises, to a wonderful women's council and finally a women's dance we spend the day together in a way that often changes women in their core for the rest of the year. Our pre-conference class is with Sheri Winston, Maps of the Clitoris, the Truth about Female Anatomy!

This is what I write about this~

Our world is calling women to be in our power, our gut-knowing, our truth right now. Women are aching for changes internally and externally. We are facing terrible destruction and disease and growing hardships. Many of us have already lived through inner and outer wars long before now. In spite of this we still long to be in our bodies, know our ecstasy, share our gifts and be present with life as life is occurring. In an unprecedented container, the Women's Belly and Womb Conference deliberately makes space for collective healing. It is not just a learning and informational day. It is a day to make new choices, to come out of denial, to recommit to our visions, our lives through loving our bodies and who we are in this world. It is an unforgettable moment in the life of a woman when she recognizes more of who she is and what is possible in her life. It is fertile ground for transformation. We make space for what needs healing in hearts, bellies, wombs and lives as women.

Just thought you'd like to know of such things to keep the visions swirling. I decided to do this from a vision that I received after my first firewalk many years ago. I've been involved on many levels with women's empowerment for most of my life. If you want to know more of this you can go to the website and I also posted something in our tribe under events. members.aol.com/alisastar/BellyConf.html

I am doing well. A little tired as all this women's work keeps me busy. I realize that 22 years of such a life has blessed me beyond measure. It's reasonable to be tired I suppose! Blessings my sisters. Good night. ALisa

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 1 reply

challenges and success with teens

redheadstepkid — Sun, 10 Sep 2006 22:07:10 GMT

A moment of success:
My 16 year old daughter spent 6 weeks as a live-in babysitter for a family in a suburb of NYC. A 5-yo girl and a 6-month old boy. My daughter had worked for the family last summer, when the girl was 4 and the mom was having a bad spell in the pregnancy. The family adores her. And works her hard.
This year, she told me, this job was the best lesson in birth control I could have possibly given her.
(yes, I've given her all the other info!)

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 1 reply

PDX mamas of teenagers?

taarnagh — Sun, 17 Jul 2005 16:41:02 GMT

I identify myself as a mother very much, but usually when I look at mama's groups there are no other mothers of teenagers. Looking for someone to commiserate with on the second toddlerhood phase.

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 20 replies

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure -- September 24 along San Francisco's Embarcadero

ericsf7 — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 22:50:55 GMT

The 16th annual Komen San Francisco Race for the Cure will take place this year on Sunday, September 24, 2006 at a new location along the Embarcadero, San Francisco. The new site is more visible than the previous location, bringing the possibility of raising more money to support breast cancer research, education and treatment. This 5K Run/Walk or 1 mile Fun Walk starts at 9am at the crosswalk at the SW corner of the Ferry Building. The run goes along the Embarcadero, around AT&T Park, and back along the Embarcadero.

Also new to the race this year: Kids for the Cure. Any child between the ages of 6 and 12 can register for only $10 and will receive a child-sized Race for the Cure T-shirt, available to the first 500 children registering.

Every registered participant receives an official Race T-shirt. Breast cancer survivors, who are the inspiration for the Race for the Cure, may pick up complimentary pink T-shirts and visors from the Survivor Booth on Race day. In addition, all Komen Race participants are encouraged to wear In Memory of and In Celebration of back signs, honoring loved ones for
their strength and courage.

A special survivor recognition ceremony will be held in Justin Herman Plaza on Race day in front of the stage at 10:30am to honor all breast cancer survivors. The top three finishers in the Breast Cancer Survivor Division will receive commemorative awards donated by Mark Harrington Crystal, in addition to the first, second and third place finishing prizes. First Place Master Survivor (age 60-64) and First Place Senior Survivor (age 65+) will also receive special commemorative awards.

In addition to individual participants, teams are invited to compete in the following categories: Fastest Team: first and second place; Largest Team: team with the most participants corporate/government, small business, family & friends, schools/education; and Highest Fundraiser Team first and second place.

The goal of the 2006 Komen San Francisco Race for the Cure is to raise $100 per participant, the cost of a single mammogram. Money raised from last years race has been granted to 11 organizations in the 9 Bay Area counties and also has helped to create a program for free breast cancer screening and mammography services for uninsured Bay Area women.

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation was established in 1982 by Nancy Goodman Brinker to honor the memory of her sister, Susan Goodman Komen, who died from breast cancer at the age of 36. Today, the Komen Foundation is an international organization with a network of 75,000 active volunteers working through local Affiliates and events like the Komen Race for the Cure to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease. For more information on breast health or breast cancer, please visit www.sfkomen.org or call the Foundations National Toll-Free Breast Care Helpline at 1-800-IM AWARE (1-800-462-9273).

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 0 replies

blue star children- survey

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 09:26:43 GMT

Hi all-
I am looking for people to complete my survey based on the 'blue star children'

The blue star children are children being born between 2000-2010.

I am in the process of writing a book to be released in Feb next year & am sourcing as much info as possible upon these children & their habits.

The link to the survey can be found by accessing my web log

raihndrops.blogspot.com/

- at this stage it is about the fourth or fifth topic down.

PLEASE, PLEASE share this link with ANYONE who would be able to help me by completing my survey.

I thank you so much in anticipation-
E x

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 1 reply

Looking for a REAL mom

Tue, 18 Jul 2006 16:20:47 GMT

Hello all! My name is Michelle, and I work in Casting for ABC's WifeSwap. We are currently looking for a mom that is not afraid to express her views! Do you think moms are too strict these days? Do you think parents spend too much time worrying about what others think? Do you want to show the world YOUR way of parenting?

Families selected to appear on the show receive $20,000 from ABC Television. Any person who refers a featured family receives a $1,000 referral award. Families with strong personalities, who have unique hobbies, or who have anything unusual about their lifestyles are encouraged to apply. We're also seeking families that are strict, lenient, extremely clean or messy, extremely regimented, or who all work together at a business. Applicants must be two-parent households with at least one child between the ages of 5 and 20 living at home. Wife Swap is the series where two moms switch houses for six days and live in the shoes of the other woman. It’s a great experience for any open-minded family!

If you or anyone you know have questions or are interested in applying, please email Michelle at michelle.silva@rdfusa.com. Thanks, I look forward to hearing from you soon!

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 4 replies

Invitiation to speak your truth

Vitae — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 19:40:18 GMT

Hello All:

You are invited...

http://burkeshire-reports.com seeks submissions to its "My Story" page. You have a personal memory, something humorous or poignant, silly or serious to share. Recalling it has brought you a bit of wisdom, a learning from which to grow and go on. Limit your story between 500-700 words. Have your webpage link posted with your story...a perfect way to advertise yourself.

Unconventional moms are particularly welcome at burkeshire-reports. We're wanting to establish a site for the ungeneric people. And we welcome your suggestions for improving the site. What ought we delete? What ought we add? Tell us.

Cheers for now,
Vitae

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 0 replies

Explaining my unexplainable work, Women in Power

ALisa — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 19:48:20 GMT

This marks six years now since I began this international women's initiation and from my woman spirit to yours I want to share about this work but it takes me time usually to get into the heart of it. This predator/ prey/ victim/ perpetrator/ power/ disempowered/empowerment work is a language of its own at first so bear with me. In the end we recognize our present work around this. Whether you are drawn here as a path or simply want to know what is happening in the women's world of empowerment work, here is my message to the women who are here.

What is Women in Power? This is a fierce women's container that is both safe and challenging. Most of us have internal voices that can be critical, judgmental and even annihilating that we battle with on the inside. And in the hardest situations occur when this energy can sometimes by accident leak to the outside of us hurting our loved ones and ourselves. Or we are on the look out for where these dark energies may want to hurt us from our past experiences and waste our valuable energy in a kind of vigilance to keep ourselves externally safe not realizing that it comes from an internal predator scaring us inside as we look for it mirrored on the outside. Many of us are just plain scared in a world that is filled with war and violence of our anger and anyone else's. And yet, it is all around us and within us. What are we going to do in the place where we can have more of our power as women in the world and find some gold in our dark places? This is has been one of my life contributions to face our dilemma straight on. It is true descension work but when we come out of it, we are more whole than ever. Whoever thought to look for our goodness in the darkest of all places?

Women in Power is a safe a ritual container where we as women are able to explore and heal some of our darkest shadows. It is where women work on that strange shaming place we sometimes have going even in our best selves where we feel shamed because we judge ourselves as bad, so we act really good and believe still that we are bad. ? How do we rewire here? Sometimes it comes by grace and sometimes we need a place to work with it among the amazing company of other women. But not in the way we've been doing it. It's okay to be the bitch here you always thought you were, on purpose now during the initiation. But imagine too that it is also a place where you are safe. Curious huh? And it is a place where the darkest shadows, the most violent rage, the deepest grief and the most brilliant and authentic joy surfaces. ??? I am not kidding. I've got to be one of the luckiest women in the world to see the miracles that happen here for women. It is brave and courageous work ~ it is gut work, it is real. It is a place that we don't need to apologize for our power and is held with the integrity that in your core you are good once you don't need to fight so hard the knowing of just how bad you could be if you finally revealed the worst of it. If this is confusing to you, it is no wonder because shadow is the place where we have disowned something that we do not want or choose to recognize in ourselves. Then it becomes projected onto others because we fear it in ourselves. Women in Power is about coming home to it all and owning the worst of ourselves to finally get to the best of ourselves.

The work is facilitated by six skilled Shadow Work facilitators and as many as twenty women on staff for 27 participants. It happens only three times a year but women from all over the world have participated. I am an original co-founder of Women in Power so you can look at my website and my profile as I am over twenty years in now with women's empowerment, ritual and community based work.

The work is true liberation work in the most glorious ways. It comes from the premise that at some time in our life we make a vow never to be like the one that hurt you. Smart thinking. But in doing so, we are sometimes left with some interesting backlash that resembles with our power throwing the baby out with the bath water. We can be left with the only archetypal energy that we see as good, kind, giving, and that is what we name here is as prey energy because it often lacks an energy that can confront, stand up to, and be powerful in the face of large energies. Instead it can be sacrificial of one's gift for the benefit of all. Or sometimes we make a vow not to be like the one we judge is weaker (prey) and then we end up in a place where we are missing our more vulnerable aspects of self too although we are able to be strong and guarded warrioresses.
In Women in Power, we tease apart what we judge as healthy and unhealthy aspects of archetypal predator/prey circuitry that interrupts our fuller choices of what is possible at any given moment when we face life situations in order to give you your innate power to be both powerful and vulnerable again. This includes what we are doing with our sexual energies as well. Any place actually that you are not freely able to express or be the powerful woman that you were born to be are given the opportunity of 360 degree choice again about what you want to do and who you are.
But first we need to revisit sometimes our past to find out about that original vow that we made when we lost something of our power. We’ve done the inner child work and maybe laid some boundaries down as warrior to our perpetrator(s) but hardly ever have we journeyed to the place where we OWN the inner perpetrator, inner predator that stalks us on the inside even with our vow not to be like that. Here is where we see women re-establish safety from internally and come to a place where she can revel in her power in all ways as she chooses allowing her innate goodness and not her fear that she is really “bad” to the bone be what leads her life. This lurking fear often is the driving force for us to be good. Let's redefine good and be "good" at being our authentic selves where we are also powerful, giving, courageous, strong, brilliant and bold. Huh? Are we ready for that?
The work is a rare container to do the kind of deep work that we’ve been waiting for but maybe we either haven’t seen it or we haven’t been ready. If you want to more womeninpowerprogram.com or my listing under events. It is almost full and it has a waitlist most of the time.

If this is not where you are at because you already freed your self up inside this way, check out Daughters of the Earth Gathering; a Women's Tribal Event too in Massachusetts that happens the following weekend. Here is where we celebrate our power and enact with support our deepest visions and dreams among the good company of wildwomen. Blessings my sisters (and brothers too who are reading this ~ if you are interested, Mankind Project (MKP) holds a men's initiation that is similar but on the warrior archetype)! ALisa

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 4 replies

Losing our vitamin and herb rights? And Daughters of the Earth

ALisa — Thu, 28 Jul 2005 22:06:34 GMT

Hi women,
It's been a while since I've had time to write. So this Fair Trade Agreement (CAFTA) passed by a narrow margin and most of the country doesn't know it yet but we have lost our rights to much healthcare (alternative) and our vitamins and herbs through an international treaty that Bush pushed and will sign into law. This I hope is not as how it is being told to me but it is what I understand so far. I would love this to be false actually but the news I am getting is exactly this. This is today's bad news from the grassroots sorry to say but it is serious (July 28,, 2005). Supposedly there was a gag order on the media during this so we could not put up the fight we normally do when this goes through our own government. This is very serious for us women. I had three years of apprenticing in identifying plants but we are going to get closer to the land again to keep ourselves well. This is from one of the emails that I saw last week before it passed.

They are doing it under An International Treaty Law that will supercede a country's own individual choices, and if it passes everything that we believe in will become illegal, from herbs to vitamins (unless the doctor perscribes them), massage, hypnotherapy, or ANY ALTERNATIVE HEALTH THERAPY! This is already in place in Germany and a 4 day supply of Vitamin E cost $80!

So meanwhile (I, ALisa) in the springtime had this instinct of gathering the women on the land in Massachusetts at a place called Earthlands. I usually take July off from women's empowerment work because I am straight out for the entire year but I felt it was urgent at this time. I formed Daughters of the Earth Gathering, a Women's Tribal Event for Aug 5-7. The vision within a day called in twenty strong and amazing teachers who resonated with what we need to do. It is blossoming into beautiful promising vision soon to be enacted. I am looking forward to many things but most of all a women's council. I am wondering about what question or questions to focus upon and I am taking ideas if you have them. What would you want the women to council on at this time? I am hoping in my heart of hearts that we will take our place (continuously as we alreadydo) and bring forward new visions of courage and hope. We so need it right now.
Here is the website if you want to check it out. http://members.aol.com/alisastar/DaughtersoftheEarthConf.html
There is a listing here too I think on events. I have been funding women left and right to be here. It is happening and it is time! I believe that women need to rise up right now. Our world needs our leadership badly. Many blessings to all and certainly healing, ALisa

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 2 replies

7 year old looking for pen pals

nux_vomica — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 18:08:56 GMT

my son is 7, and has just started reading...i am having a lot of fun with teaching him, and he would really like to have a pen-pal for part of his homeschool writing.

about us (which you can see more of on my profile): we have travelled a lot, and been active in 'counter-culture' lifestyles since day one. he is very smart, conscientious, sensitive and sweet. he is working on his first belt in judo, the yellow belt, and is really into learning about martial arts. he is not a 'commercial' consumer sort of kid. he loves animals and is interested in animal spirit guides. he wants to pen pal with someone in china, but i figure it'd be easier to find others with common interests in places like this (though china is by no means ruled out, it may just take a while). we live in portland, oregon, and so even kids local to us would be cool, cause then they'd have a chance to hang out sometimes, though when we travel it would be nice to meet other kids in the states.

for me, as a radical mom, i really prefer to stick with our own kind. i am sick of the obliquely ogling parents who you can see wondering if they're kids are going to catch the 'weird' germ from hanging out with my kid...life is too short for that kind of crap!

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 1 reply

Call for Subculture and Counter Culture Moms for a book*

Davina — Sun, 11 Jul 2004 07:37:56 GMT

Hi,

I am Davina. Punk Rock Momster extraordinaire! LOL

I am writing a book about “Subculture and Counter Culture Mothers” and would like to interview you for it.

Initially upon becoming a parent, I felt really disconnected from a lot of my friends who weren’t parents themselves, we had different playing fields; my life became responsible for someone else’s and that is a very serious responsibility. It did change me, but for the better. At the “core” the same interests I had were there, and I had a hard time finding a cool mommy/daddy community with like or diverse interests to hang out with.

I searched everywhere for information about sub/counter culture moms for material I could relate to, be inspired by, find out a few secrets of raising a kid. I have high expectations as an activist and feminist, and “Parents” just didn’t cut it for me.

Luckily, I did find a few materials such as Adrienne Rich’s “Of Woman Born”, and
“Hip Mama” the magazine. But I wanted more.

I have interviewed thus far some amazing women who are as various as the categories that fall under “Subculture and Counter Culture Moms.” I have interviewed vegetarian writers, sleeved moms who are actresses, bassists, punk moms, rockabilly moms, models, business owners, bondage queens, skater chicks, stay at homes who fight for
human rights, etc.

Of the moms I have interviewed thus far, we all have in common a need to know each other and want to know more about each other. Two of the moms I interviewed found each other online and moved their families across the country to be together. One is an Insurance Underwriter, and Business major, the other a Hairstylist from LA. Their both sleeved and rockabilly and couldn’t find any other moms in their own city to relate to.
So they moved halfway across their country so they could hang out all the time with their families together.

When I decided that I was going to continue my pregnancy and have my child, there was one woman and mother that sprang to mind, Sinead O’ Connor. She was the type of mom I wanted to be. Sinead is a strong independent pagan woman with a shaved head. She shredded the picture of the Pope (for good reason) on national TV. She has a strong voice, a strong mind, and a strong spirit. My son Corben was even born to her album “Universal Mother.” I knew the type of person I already was, and the type of mom I would be would be entirely different form the world’s general concept of “mother.”

That is why I am writing this book. It will be the 1st ever collection of its sort. A collection of our stories. It will be a book devoured by new moms who don’t fit in with the soccer mom stereotype. It will give color and definition to a new parenting experience
for someone whom just had his or her world turned upside down by becoming a parent and being so different form the rest of the pack.

It will be our stories weaved together.

The interview process will be in a word format via email and will go back and forth a few times as I ask questions of your answers the initial questions. This will last as long As it needs to until your story is captured just right.

I want the readers to be able to connect a “face “ to the story. I am asking for an emailed pic with no copyright restrictions that will be used for your story in the book.

Finally, I would require for legal reasons a signed release to your story and pic in the book, without payment of any sorts, and would need you to print and mail it signed back to me.

If you would like to participate and be interviewed for this book, please just reply with your email address and I will send you the initial set of interview questions.

I also have an official resume with writing credentials/publications if you would like to verify me (there are a lot of weirdo’s online, so I don’t mind at all! J

In addition if you would like to see some of my written work just let me know or check out some of my blogs on Myspace.com

Davina

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 45 replies

any LA, CA mamas out there?

SiobhanMarie — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 02:43:32 GMT

Hey there FCM mamas! I'm wondering if any of you are in the LA area? I just started a tribe called LA Off the Beaten Track Kind of Mamas, trying to hook up with other out-of-the-matrix mamas, anywhere from the Valley to the South Bay. There are 12 of us already... come join us! I'd love to plan a get-together or playdate or whatever. I've got 2 daughters, ages 1 and 5... and the other mamas on the tribe have kids anywhere from infants to teenagers.

New connections are always good!

http://tribes.tribe.net/offbeatmamas

Peace,
Siobhan in Redondo Beach

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 1 reply

If anyone can help...

phoenixfeeley — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 15:59:01 GMT

I need it now more than ever... I have been having legal complications... more like major fucking issues.... all stemming from my daughter's father and my obviously "lethal" breasts.... since my false arrest in August there have been major complications... in short to deal with my issues i need awesome lawyers. I have a kick ass lawyer taking care of things in NYC, but have yet to find one in Jersey (of course). I am currently in need... ASAP... of a family law attorney in Jersey and so far there is 100's i have spoken with and not one I would hire. I need someone with the confidence and ability to fight for what's just.... If anyone can lead me in the right direction or has any advice or anything at all helpful please respond... this is my very freedom I am fighting for.....................................

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 0 replies

may GODDESS return ....

Somaadi — Tue, 27 Dec 2005 16:20:40 GMT

Blessings to all , may The Great Mother Goddess of endless names and forms activate and manifest Her holy Shakti I AM presence in us and outside us , may the gregorian new year 2006 mark Her glorious return !!! thank you for .... being ! best wishes , a starseed lightworker & Goddess devotee
Jai Maa

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 1 reply

Cyber-Council of All Species. Temporary Tribe Invitation

ammanaga — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 12:21:00 GMT

This temporary tribe is an experiment.

<tribes.tribe.net/cyber-councilofallspecies#>

The "Council of All Species" is an exercise that is loosely based in the works of John Seed. Seed's book, which he co-authored with Joanna Macey, is "Thinking Like a Mountain: Toward a Council of All Beings."

Here are links to some essays by John Seed and Joanna Macy:

www.rainforestinfo.org.au/deep-...es.htm

www.joannamacy.net/html/living.html

I have always hosted council at the Winter Solstice. As a way of celebrating that, as our Sun returns, life goes on for one more year. This year I am holding Cyber-council and you are invited!

Anyone wanting to partake will have a few weeks to work on their "representation." Winter Solstice is December 21st.

You can represent any species on earth. From a tiny one celled bacteria, to a whale. Extinct species are also welcome, if they want to say their goodbyes. And even a star or moon can have a voice.

So then... what I need from you is your written tale and a photo of you in your costume. If you can light a fire and dance around it in costume... all the better! Send pics of that too!! You may also have your family members participate. If they are not on Tribe you can post for them. Kids especially love dressing up and dancing around a fire!! We always had many in attendance. It's a great way to introduce them to concepts like ecology and environment too!

Please forward this invitation to anyone who you think may want to "dance" with us!

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 1 reply

Organic, for your babies?

AliRose — Sat, 26 Nov 2005 18:01:12 GMT

Hello, I am a college student doing a survey based on parents and their choice to feed and clothe their babies with organic products. I am hoping to put together a pamplet for new parents directing them towards prefered resources of organic products!

If you happen to have five minutes to spare (honest!) to a survey to this effect, please do!

Feel free to email me if you would like the results of the survey sent to you after the testing is complete.

www.createsurvey.com/c/29713-BmkrFU/

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 0 replies

overpopulation

Tue, 19 Jul 2005 20:23:59 GMT

I constantly struggle with balancing my ideals against what is right for me in the here and now. I firmly believe that the world is overpopulated. Does that mean I should limit how many children I have? Ultimately I believe it comes down to personal choice, but what choice is right for me?

Or is it enough for me to fight to teach others about birth control and make sure they have access to it?

At the moment I only have one child and the possibility of having another one is not in the near future, but I do struggle with this issue when it comes up. How do you balance your ideals with your personal needs/desires/heart? In regard to population issues or in other realms of your life (like cloth vs. disposable diapers).

Also on the topic of overpopulation. I just read the first in a series of sci-fi children's books about this issue. It takes place in a future where the government has mandated that families have only two children in order to combat the population crisis (third children are taken away and killed). http://www.forbesbookclub.com/BookPage.asp?prod_cd=I5E9Q
I would highly recommend it.

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 7 replies

Anti-pedophile petition circulating.

jolieca1978 — Sat, 22 Oct 2005 16:41:44 GMT

http://jessicaslaw.com/

You can order petitions from this site to help get the law enacted. It will bring stiffer consequences to sex offenders.

I think the new law proposal is slightly too harsh, but I'd rather have laws that are too harsh on sex offenders than too soft. Which is what they are right now in my opinion- way too soft.

Jolie

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 1 reply

icky pic

Tue, 12 Jul 2005 05:53:53 GMT

please, could someone remove the icky pic? It is really offensive, and I am sure I am not the only one who thinks so.

the cult of heterosexuality? hmmm, it needs to go.

In Peace,
ME.

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 10 replies

East Bay childcare exchange

jolieca1978 — Fri, 14 Oct 2005 03:00:50 GMT

I live in Berkeley and am looking for another mom to do a childcare exchange with for about 2.5 hours a week. My son is a spunky little toddler. We're very AP and I practice positive discipline with my son. Ideally we'd be able to get to hang out at first & get to know each other- and each other's children- before leaving the kids with each other. Please contact me if this interests you.

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 0 replies

foreskin

ellencatalina — Fri, 20 May 2005 02:31:28 GMT

My son's foreskin won't retract. It doesn't cause him any pain or discomfort. The pediatrician says he should get a circumcision. My son's dad, who feels very strongly against circumcision, has forbidden him to have one ( I am not with my son's dad, btw). I hate the idea of my son getting circumcised, but then again I don't want him to have a penis that seems "wierd" and I worry about the impact on sexual functioning and sensation. Anyone know about his topic?

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 26 replies

New tribe for Commander in Chief

PollyMoller — Wed, 05 Oct 2005 20:05:36 GMT

If anybody wants to discuss, rave about, gush about, or trash the show. :)
http://tribes.tribe.net/commanderinchief

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 0 replies

Baby in my bed

islandgrrl — Wed, 14 Sep 2005 18:02:06 GMT

i've run out of ideas, so thought i'd get some insight from all of you moms. my son (3yr old, not such a baby i guess), is in the habit of waking up between 2 and 4 in the morning and getting into my bed. the only reason i don't want him there is because none of us sleep well when it happens. daddy or i take him back to his room and explain that we all need to get enough rest. he just cries to come back, or worse yet throws a temper tantrum. i don't know what to do, because i don't feel i warrants any kind of punishment. should i just keep taking him back to his own bed several times a night, for as long as it takes, or is there and easier way?

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 6 replies

Breastfeeding on Dr. Phil

jolieca1978 — Sun, 07 Aug 2005 16:21:31 GMT

http://www.drphil.com/plugger/respond/\?plugID=9244

All about breastfeeding.. Do you think it's okay to breast feed your child in public places butothers complain that your behavior is inappropriate? Have strangers told you that they are appalled by your breast feeding inrestaurants, grocery stores, public restrooms, department stores,doctor's offices, etc. but you think breast feeding is such a naturaland beautiful act that you should have the right to do it anywhere andanytime you please? OR do you know someone who breast feeds their child in public and youare offended by it? Do you need Dr. Phil's help at confronting yourfriend or family member about their inappropriate habit to breast feedin public? !
If you h
ave personal experience AND very strong feelings about thisissue please reply by emailing us your story. ONLY RESPOND IF YOU WOULDBE WILLING TO APPEAR ON NATIONAL TV WITH DR. PHIL.

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 7 replies

the internet

Wed, 17 Aug 2005 23:42:45 GMT

My 8-yr-old daughter is internet savvy. She does research online (using AskJeeves Kids and the Scholastic website), plays games occasionally, and has her own email address for writing to friends and relatives. She's also trying to build her own website. This summer she's had more screen time than usual because I work 15+ hours a week and have no $ for childcare.

I am very careful about where she is allowed to go on the internet. She knows I have to approve before she clicks on a new link and that she is not allowed to go into chatrooms.

But recently she's been begging me to let her be part of a messageboard or restricted chatroom.

I'm very fearful of letting her do this (I also want to get her outdoors more and not encourage MORE time online).

And suggestions/thoughts/warnings?

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 2 replies

Bedtime story for ages 5 - 10

grandpa_jim — Tue, 09 Aug 2005 22:51:17 GMT

Having trouble getting your children to sleep? Here is a story I made up that has worked with my own family. Feel free to print it out and give it a try. http://thewitchwillow.pbwiki.com/index.php?wiki=FrontPage
I would very much appreciate feedback as to how it works for you and any suggestions for improvement. jim@myblabla.com

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 1 reply

any other gender questioning moms?

sparky — Fri, 15 Jul 2005 22:10:24 GMT

I was wondering if anyone knows any transgendered folk who are biologically parents? If so, i'd love to chat.

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 1 reply

PDX Mamas

Jay — Wed, 11 May 2005 04:01:58 GMT

Looking for mamas to hang with, anyone from portland, oregon?

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 17 replies

Resignation of Sandra Day O’Connor

bekalala — Fri, 01 Jul 2005 17:45:41 GMT

With the resignation of Justice O’Connor, freedom of choice hangs by a thread. The Supreme Court is split, 5 to 4 on the abortion issue. Justice O’Connor has traditionally been a pro-choice moderate conservative. We can only assume that President Bush will nominate an anti-choice conservative, and we must do something now to prevent the loss of Roe vs. Wade.

Many of us may have fought for the right to choose in the 70’s, for others we’ve never known a life without the freedom of choice. I urge everyone to get involved and do what you can to keep this a pro-choice America.

www.crlp.org
www.lwv.org
www.prochoiceamerica.org
www.nfprha.org
www.saveroe.com
www.prochoiceproject.com
www.plannedparenthood.org

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 3 replies

HOMEing

Mary — Tue, 28 Jun 2005 18:22:53 GMT

27 yo Queer female & 7 yo Trans (f2m) child
are seeking an affordable and welcoming home
in Evanston or Roger’s Park (chicago area).

Okay, so nothing is perfect, but here’s my Perfect Home fantasy:
We’d have 2 bedrooms on the third floor
of a 5 bedroom/2 bath Victorian home.
Our house mates would be between the ages of 32 and 79,
queer identified and/or liberal/anarchist minded,
well organized but easy going
activists, artists, health workers, high school teachers
or other visionaries who believe
in big dreams of little dreamers
and who have found some balance
between social responsibility and sacred play.
A yard with a fabulous vegetable garden
and lots of hollyhocks and lilacs.
Hard wood floors, big east and south windows, a claw foot tub,
spacious shared kitchen with plenty o’ counter space
and vintage cabinets,
monthly pot lucks, a front porch swing
on a tree lined street in a safe neighborhood
for $500 per month or less.
Oh yes, and a cat...either a kitten or a very old cat
who might appreciate a small and gentle friend.

Yes, I’m asking for a miracle.
Are you a miracle worker???

Call 773-936-5452 or e-mail Holyolks@yahoo.com

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 0 replies

help w/ friend?

Wed, 25 May 2005 00:43:31 GMT

I have a friend, she is fluffy & phony in a lot of ways I guess, but she has a great heart and a teenaged girl. Her teenager is VERY, VERY down on herself. This friend of mine is 40, fake nose, fake boobs, she gets skin peels and is always trying to look younger and be hip. She came to me over the weekend out of frustration over her daughter's lack of self esteem!

While it's overly obvious to me that her daughter has witnessed all of the "improvements" her mother's had done to her body and the likelihood that this is a direct correlation to her own low self esteem ... I said nothing. I quietly nodded and listened.

This friend of mine, isn't someone I am THAT close to, but I do care for her and her family. I feel like I should go back to her and offer my two cents. On the other hand, I don't want to seem like I'm coming down on her for the choices she has made.

What do you gals think????

:o)
Thanks.

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 3 replies

Trans Kids

Mary — Mon, 20 Dec 2004 08:32:44 GMT

Anyone have or know trans identified kids and wanna start a parent support group? I got a 7 yo f-m and I'm looking for others to talk with.

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 9 replies

High Point/ Greensboro

islandgrrl — Fri, 13 May 2005 14:04:33 GMT

Hey Mammas!
Just wondering if any of you are in my area. i have a two year old son. Moved here not to long ago and looking to make new friends.

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 0 replies

All-MOM Hard Rock Band at the Starry Plough 5/13

shadeshaman — Thu, 12 May 2005 18:24:08 GMT

PLACENTA, the all-mom hard rock band will be kickin' ass and takin' names at the East Bay Mamapalooza as the headliners. We also got some press from the San Jose Mercury News and the Contra Costa Times--the links are at the bottom of the page.

BUT FIRST, get out your pencil if you have a crappy printer like I do, and take
down the following:

PLACENTA at Mamapalooza
Friday, May 13th.
Show starts at 9:30pm
Starry Plough (3101 Shattuck Ave, near Ashby)
21+
$10 cover at the door. We will be handing out "Sing Along with Placenta" lyric
books, and we will have CDs and stunningly beautiful tee-shirts for sale.

There will, as usual, be TWO Television Cameras there (damned paparazzi), so GET YOUR FREAK ON and make the shit interesting for the people at home.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/entertainment/music/11598321.htm

http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/entertainment/music/11617695.htm

www.placentamusic.com

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 0 replies

mean kids

abby — Sun, 03 Apr 2005 18:39:14 GMT

Yesterday at the playground a little kid hit my son on top of his head...with what i'm not sure, but it took alittle skin off right on his forehead where his hair starts....the parents were no where to be found....it got me furious and i felt the need to tell the kid off.
My boyfriend asked the little group of meanies who hit my son and one little one pointed to who i assumed was his brother....my boyfriend then proceeded to yell in his deep loud voice that he shouldn't hit other people because it wasn't nice. And i chimed in that if it happened again that i would find his mother.
i wonder now if we should've stayed quiet and let children have their own experiences, but it's hard to ignore my kid crying and he's really sensitive anyway........What do you think?

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 11 replies

The Origins of Mothers Day

bambinonymous — Sun, 08 May 2005 03:02:00 GMT

Happy Mother's Day!

Here is some information passed along to me about the origins of the
holiday.

A reminder that Mother's Day started as a call to action for peace
activists in the 1870's.

Here's where you can find a Mother's Day Parade in
your area in honor of the roots of Mother's Day--
http://www.mothersactingup.org/md_find_parade.php

Mother's Day Proclamation- 1870
Written by Julia Ward Howe

Arise then...women of this day!
Arise, all women who have hearts!
Whether your baptism be of water or of tears!
Say firmly:
"We will not have questions answered by irrelevant agencies,
Our husbands will not come to us, reeking with carnage,
For caresses and applause.
Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn
All that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience.
We, the women of one country,
Will be too tender of those of another country
To allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs."
From the voice of a devastated Earth a voice goes up with
Our own. It says: "Disarm! Disarm!
The sword of murder is not the balance of justice."
Blood does not wipe our dishonor,
Nor violence indicate possession.
As men have often forsaken the plough and the anvil
At the summons of war,
Let women now leave all that may be left of home
For a great and earnest day of counsel.
Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead.
Let them solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means
Whereby the great human family can live in peace...
Each bearing after his own time the sacred impress, not of Caesar,
But of God -
In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask
That a general congress of women without limit of nationality,
May be appointed and held at someplace deemed most convenient
And the earliest period consistent with its objects,
To promote the alliance of the different nationalities,
The amicable settlement of international questions,
The great and general interests of peace.

Julia Ward Howe,
May 27, 1819 - October 17, 1910
Reformer, clubwoman, writer, poet

To learn more about Julia Ward Howe click on
http://womenshistory.about.com/library/bio/blbio_howe_julia_ward.htm

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 0 replies

disney princess poisoning

QQ — Thu, 30 Dec 2004 22:24:02 GMT

help! disney princesses are lobotomizing my kid. i've never bought/shown/encouraged my 4-year old in that victorian direction but her daycare playmates bring in the mindfuckbooks & toys, and my in-laws just

she playacts princess weddings all day long. her lil bro has to be the prince and chase her and tell her how beautiful she is while she giggles. aaarrrgggghhhh

i've tried talking about the princess stories with her - the choices they make - ok so she wouldn't give up her voice for stupid prince ed like ariel but everything else about the Little Mummaid she likes. i've played princess with her and encouraged more empowering princess behavior, but she's fully aware and does resent mommy subverting the passive/aggressive fantasy.

ok, i accept my daughter and hope this is a phase. any suggestions/ alternative princesses out there?! she's lost interest in dora, madeline, eloise, just about everything else

help!

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 29 replies

call for a/v submissions [AVit Retreat] techno_feminism collaborative

jdap — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 21:57:33 GMT

This is a call for audio/video for the techno_feminist collaborative project at
the 2005 AVit Retreat at Happy Ass Ranch in Colorado, June 13-17th, 2005.

If you wish to participate in this collaborative a/v effort please contact me
asap, with your name, phone, email, platform, and format of your audio/video.
Clips need to be submitted on the subject of women in technology by May 1,
2005. This is absolutely necessary in order to assure that we can format the
clips with the hex plugin for dome projection at the retreat. Please visit the
website and join the yahoo mailing list to find out more information and to
participate.

http://www.avit.us/2005
Subscribe: avitretreat2005-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

contact for techno_feminist collaborative:
JanedaPain
jane.crayton@colorado.edu

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 0 replies

Please Take Action

bleu — Wed, 30 Mar 2005 21:06:14 GMT

http://prochoiceaction.org/campaign/pharmacists_wa?rk=j7AU_mn1XmX3W

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 1 reply

Scary

abby — Sat, 12 Feb 2005 14:23:40 GMT

i read this morning Bush plans on cutting 4.3 billion dollars from education, among other things......homeschool is sounding better all the time.

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 2 replies

Children-Kahlil Gibran-The Prophet

sarasada1 — Mon, 24 Jan 2005 00:49:36 GMT

On Children

And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, "Speak to us of Children."

And he said:

Your children are not your children.

They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.

They come through you but not from you,

And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts.

For they have their own thoughts.

You may house their bodies but not their souls,

For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.

For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.

Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;

For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 4 replies

particular 3-year-old

abby — Fri, 28 Jan 2005 19:31:28 GMT

My daughter has been very particular about things this year so far....an example: i ask my son to bring me a cup from the table and he does what i request with no problems.....but as soon as he gets the cup in his hands, my daughter starts freaking out saying she wants to do it, ect. She makes such a deal of it, that i end up giving the cup back to her, and she lays it back in the exact same spot as it was before and she brings it back to me again, then she's fine. WHY?? She has to have things just so or she freaks...i don't know where she would pick that behavior up because i'm pretty laid back and easy going and she doesn't attend day care/school yet....and it's not just the cup, it's all kinds of other things...like if she wants me to say something to her(when she has her arms in her shirt, she wants me to say where's your hands) it has to be said the perfect way or she gets stressed out until you say it just like you want her to. Any ideas?

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 7 replies

Finally a Safe alternative to harmful household products!

Wed, 19 Jan 2005 22:57:47 GMT

Hello, Jay and Shelley here,
Got some new exciting information for you - have a read!

As you know - my "big picture" is to eliminate expenses through healthy choices with a consumable product. It is true, I have been researching a company over the past 4 months after first being exposed to them at the Health symposium in the latter of 2004.

Shelley and I have decided to add it to our expense elimination program for the following reasons:
1) It is an amazing substitution to products we purchase weekly and highly consumable.
2) The products are highly versatile and create a very healthy environment for our home and bodies.
3) The testimonials are incredible both here in Canada and the US ( I witnessed it firsthand at the Richmond Private Golf & Country Club at a hosted event by the top Canadian Distributor)
4) The products replace the following products we use daily ( which by the way may have harmful ingredients such as Propylene Glycol, DEA, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Alcohol, Aluminum, Talc and many more. Here are the everyday products they replace:
a) Body soap, hand soap, bath soap,
b) toothpaste
c) Shampoo, Conditioner, Moisturizer ( body, face )
d) First Aid applications, Sunburn applications,
e) Greens products and Flax products
f) Laundry soap, Dish soap
g) Body deodorant, under arm deodorant
h) House cleaners, auto cleaners
and the list goes on........

To sum up: Many applications with health and safety paramount, very exciting, lateral spending from purchases we make weekly, monthly etc. ( no new added expense! ) with the ability to reduce everyones expenses, increase vitality and overall health and create a healthy harmonious home & body environment, only in the US and Canada presently and ofcourse fits in with Shelley and I's Expense Elimination Program we have implemented for 2005.

Footnote: I polled a few of my most sceptical friends that have always looked down on products such as this and here is the responses I received:

"Jay, from all the products you have shown us - these products interest us because it just makes sense"

"Shelley and Jay, you've really hit something big with this - we're definitely looking at this product line for our family and home"

"We're interested! When can we have a look at this website!"

"My wife who absolutely has no time for these products but is considering this line because of it's logic and the lateral spending of monies we spend already with the opportunity to get it really healthy as we progress in age"

I think you will agree that this has the potential to serve your body in a way we have never tapped into before, it's not a fad or a trend just a healthy solution to live in a very non-toxic environment.

If you check out www.JaysVentures.com you will see it partnered up with our Xango Juice nutritional line - a fine addition.

Jay Simons "Jay's Ventures Inx."
Creator of "Blueprint for YOUR Successful Approach to Great Health!"
jaysventures@yahoo.com
www.revealed.themastersmiracle.com

Ask us about: Expense Elimination System 1 Expense Elimination System 2 & the Phenominal Automated Follow-up System

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 0 replies

playgrounds

abby — Tue, 04 Jan 2005 14:24:29 GMT

i just love it when you come upon a group of the "normal mothers", you know the kind who wear their tan slacks and don't actually play with the kids, and never get dirty..... and i actually saw one mom wearing her high heels, so funny to watch those suckers sink in the sand. And yesterday i witnessed a whole family(a mom and the kid's grandparents )actually drive up to the playground and only the little girl gets out...she plays for about 45 mins. while they sit in the car and watch....what is that crap?
The only good thing that comes out of it is as soon as i show up-with my pierced lip and my tattoo and my cargo army pants, they end up leaving not too long after.....just means i get the whole playground for me and my spawnlings....woohoo.

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 8 replies

New to San Francisco

Elizabeth — Wed, 15 Dec 2004 00:25:42 GMT

Hello all. My husband and I recently moved to San Francisco and we are expecting our first child. I am excited to see so many of you strong feminist mothers. I have not yet met any other women to hang out with here and I am finding it more difficult now that my priorities have shifted so dramatically. For those of you in SF I would also appreciate some incite on raising a child in the city. It is women like you who are going to help change this world for the better!

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 1 reply

new here

melissa317 — Sun, 05 Dec 2004 03:49:59 GMT

just joined this tribe.. wanted to say hi :-)

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 2 replies

Review of "Mother Outlaws" for Alter magazine

Davina — Sat, 20 Nov 2004 11:13:19 GMT

“Mother Outlaws: Theories and Practices of Empowered Mothering.”

Edited by Andrea O’ Reilley
Publisher: Women’s press CA
Review by: Davina Rhine

Mother Outlaws is a collection of theories, practices, emotions and experiences
of mothers in general who have made it central to their parenting role to challenge the patriarchal role of motherhood and to be successful in spite of the oppressive treatment of mothers in our society.

Mother Outlaws carries on a conversation that was started academically by Adrienne Rich in 1986, almost twenty years ago. In 1986 Rich wrote on the subject of motherhood in her historic book Of Woman Born, a critical distinction between the two meanings of motherhood which was, the personal role (mothering) and the sanctioned institutional role (motherhood), one superimposed on the other: “The potential relationship of any woman to her powers of reproduction and to children, and the “instuition”, which aims at ensuring that that potential and all women –shall remain under male control.”

Of Woman Born defined what patricharacal motherhood was and how it functioned, “powerless responsibility” in a patriarchal ideology of motherhood which makes the mother all self-sacrificing, ignoring our own needs personally and society ignoring them as well, including financially, and not having a voice in the body of society. (Which also effected and still effects women with or without children-though there has been some progress for women in democracy that generally speaking, don’t have children.) The popular fifties house mom was a pictorial badge of that deadly silence and an unrealistic cultural stereotype that mothers felt burdened to achieve, and ashamed if they had not or could not. Today the badge is a well-intentioned means of making our boys super men, and our girls independent but still dependent o approval and acceptance. There was little room for empowerment in which from, to mother, which isn’t necessarily untrue today. Mother Outlaws introduces us to a diverse model for empowered mothering.

Mother Outlaws moves us beyond “powerless responsibility” to a means of taking and making motherhood our own source of power and empowerment. Instead of mothers not making the rules, just obeying and enforcing them, we are now rewriting them, and effectively changing the face and attitude of society one mother and child at a time. Which is the objective of empowered mothering and the discourse in Mother Outlaws.

There are five chapters to this book of which is, Feminist Mothering, Lesbian Mothering,
African-American Mothering, Mothers and Daughters, Mothers and Sons.

The essays are broad and have many viewpoints. The authorship of mothers of various ethnicities, classes and professions, which is very inclusive, and for a U.S. academic feminist text may be one of the first of it’s types.

In Feminist Mothering, we visit stories of mothers negotiating the tensions between motherhood as institution and experience, motherhood as a site of resistance and self-empowerment. The book also focuses on the importance of “other-mothering” which essentially involves us all lending a hand in raising all of our kids. Mother Outlaws did pay attention to the positives of other mothering that prevailed in the African communities of the mothers interviewed which evolved from ancient customs and were necessary for survival in light of the effects of colonization, slavery, and apartheid. However it did fall short on engaging us in a discussion on how to build a cooperative other mothering culture in communities were there aren’t any.

The conflict of culture produced roles and stereotypes for females, males, children, and roles of mothers were made painfully clear in this book, particularly in the section on Lesbian Mothering. The troubles the children had had at school for being bullied because they had two moms, and were ridiculed as sissies or “gay.” This ridicule stemmed from their relationship to their parents whom were gay, not that their parents were gay independently. The obvious thing that stood out was that it is our cultures mentality and our kids are getting the impression from mass society at large that there is something “wrong” with a kid who has gay parents, they must not be overtly masculine and “tuff” for boys, and must be “queer” for girls, and that the children lack a masculine parent in general, and they are something to fear and to be a target of playground abuse. As subtle as it is empowered mothering enables a parent to be aware of the dangers of just ‘accepting” society blindly and all of it’s belief systems and accepting them at home. This type of blind acceptance was manifest in the acceptance of large culture of the United States Jim Crow Laws and separate but equal rationalization, and this “indifferent acceptance” at large resulted in a lot of violence and today still has left subtle ripples of racism in all of the West’s institutions. Empowered mothering is a roundtable of discussion and sifting thru beliefs, and ideals sand having your child involved in the process. Empowered mothering will produce a different type of society for the next generation.

Mother Outlaws is well documented thru its broad collection of essay’s and results from women all over the world. It leaves no stone unturned and encourages us to turn the next one.

It is an intense steeping stone into a better world for parents, and children, and a great academic 1st of its sorts. It too will open doors just as Adrienne Rich’s, “Of Woman Born” did.

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 0 replies

Sign Petition to Stop Pesticide Study on Kids!

Tisha — Sat, 13 Nov 2004 16:55:34 GMT

http://www.organicconsumers.org/epa-alert.htm

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 0 replies

hi there

zoe — Wed, 27 Oct 2004 23:00:29 GMT

i'm new to tribe and very excited about all that it has to offer. i live in ann arbor with my partner and my lively and creative 6 year old (soon to be 7) daughter. i lived in the bay area for eight years, and my daughter was born in berkeley. i work part time at a coop, write poetry, received my first tattoo about six months ago and basically do all i can to resist growing up :) i like to celebrate the pagan calendar holidays with my family (happy samhain!) and am also interested in buddhism. i'm looking forward to getting to know you all!

posted in Feminist Counterculture Motherhood - 1 reply

Feminist Counterculture Motherhood's topics - tribe.net

into the wild for 4-5 weeks...suggestions?

Calling All Mothers?! regional Meet-ups?

getting pierced.

Austin Pagan Parent Alliance

A mom's poignant story.

New here!

pagan mama's

any advice on coming out to your kids?

Tattoos and babys...

dancing out baby

Pregnancy and Wearing a Bra

free and easy way to help homeless children

Burlesque and motherhood?

how do i tell my child we're taking her to a therapist?

interesting sociological book on "menstruation indistry" and more...

new tribe for Portland,OR

NEW TRIBE

DOCUMENTY EVERY PARENT NEEDS TO SEE !!!

Moms! Starting a mom punk band!

Counterculture in a Small Town??

what to do with a stubborn 7 year old ?

kids snack foods.

Discipline as a authenticity killer?

rash from salad dressing

New Here!

Immunization.

Problem child?

honoring our bellies and wombs brings radical healing and changes the culture

challenges and success with teens

PDX mamas of teenagers?

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure -- September 24 along San Francisco's Embarcadero

blue star children- survey

Looking for a REAL mom

Invitiation to speak your truth

Explaining my unexplainable work, Women in Power

Losing our vitamin and herb rights? And Daughters of the Earth

7 year old looking for pen pals

**Call for Subculture and Counter Culture Moms for a book***

any LA, CA mamas out there?

If anyone can help...

may GODDESS return ....

Cyber-Council of All Species. Temporary Tribe Invitation

Organic, for your babies?

overpopulation

Anti-pedophile petition circulating.

icky pic

East Bay childcare exchange

foreskin

New tribe for Commander in Chief

Baby in my bed

Breastfeeding on Dr. Phil

the internet

Bedtime story for ages 5 - 10

any other gender questioning moms?

PDX Mamas

Resignation of Sandra Day O’Connor

HOMEing

help w/ friend?

Trans Kids

High Point/ Greensboro

All-MOM Hard Rock Band at the Starry Plough 5/13

mean kids

The Origins of Mothers Day

disney princess poisoning

call for a/v submissions [AVit Retreat] techno_feminism collaborative

Please Take Action

Scary

Children-Kahlil Gibran-The Prophet

particular 3-year-old

Finally a Safe alternative to harmful household products!

playgrounds

New to San Francisco

new here

Review of "Mother Outlaws" for Alter magazine

Sign Petition to Stop Pesticide Study on Kids!

hi there

Call for Subculture and Counter Culture Moms for a book*