You'd think that I have gone all soft, now that I have a beautiful daughter, and that my Blog will now run a spiralling course into the underbelly of touchy-feely parenting tips. Well, you'd probably be right! All I ever try to do on this Blog is to express my life as it is, and keep all my loved one's informed of my thoughts and feelings over life events. So obviously this next phase in my life will play a very important part of my Blog! I do not try to follow any definition of what a 'Catholic Blog' should be, as good as these are; but merely try to express myself creatively through the internet as the person I am.Moving swiftly on, I wish to provide you with the following book recommendations on behalf of my wife. The former of which provides the basis of this post, and an extremely helpful resource over these early days.
La Leche League International. The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. Penguin: London, 2004
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding is a comprehensive resource guide providing just about everything you need to know about how--and why--to breastfeed your baby. Latch on to this book for step-by-step guides to early months, common concerns, problems, and weaning. Additional sections on general nutrition, sleep issues, going back to work, discipline, and fathering are useful for all breastfeeding mothers.
VS McClure. Infant Massage: A Handbook for Loving Parents. Souvenir Press: London, 2005
In her detailed and lively book Vimala McClure guides parents through the art of daily massage for their child. To massage your child is not only to bond with him or her but can also have physical benefits. Massage can relieve colic and chest congestion, improve the breathing of asthmatic children and help premature children to gain weight. Infant massage brings physical and psychological benefits to boh parents and babies. A comprehensive, fully illustrated guide to the gentle process of child massage as an aid to physical development and bonding.
H Pierlot. A Mother's Rule of Life. Sophia Institute Press. New Hampshire, 2004
With your own Mother’s Rule of Life, you’ll transform motherhood and its burdens into the joyful vocation it’s meant to be. Learn from Holly Pierlot how to craft a Rule that’s right for you and your family. Then use that Rule to help God draw you, your husband, and each of your children into Heaven!
I think that Wendy has already made some very brave (counter-cultural) choices about parenting, even at this early stage in Maddy's life. These are;
The best example of these is breastfeeding. There is nothing a new parent can do which is more beneficial. There is so much research now showing that it increases all the best qualities in children as they grow up. Breast is best. But it is no easy option, and Wendy has found out the hard way that it often involves a lot of pain before it is well established. What I find hard to understand is the way breastfeeding is mocked in our society, and looked down upon. We have a very strange way of looking at things if we cannot see the plain beauty of this mothering instinct. Wendy and I certainly encourage any mother to persist with this noble art, and particularly recommend that first book, which has been an indispensable reference for both of us.
- Full-time mothering (having left her career)
- Breastfeeding
- Washable nappies
- Bed sharing
The best example of these is breastfeeding. There is nothing a new parent can do which is more beneficial. There is so much research now showing that it increases all the best qualities in children as they grow up. Breast is best. But it is no easy option, and Wendy has found out the hard way that it often involves a lot of pain before it is well established. What I find hard to understand is the way breastfeeding is mocked in our society, and looked down upon. We have a very strange way of looking at things if we cannot see the plain beauty of this mothering instinct. Wendy and I certainly encourage any mother to persist with this noble art, and particularly recommend that first book, which has been an indispensable reference for both of us.
Matt, the Catholic Faith is a way of life, and as such, it would of course touch on every aspect of life, of which the family, the school of Christ, plays a very major role.
ReplyDeleteOf course, we'll be glad to hear about this most interesting aspect of the new phase your life is currently in. Thank you so much for sharing.
PS, I've tagged you for a 5 random things meme, so do give it a go if you can =)
It is wonderful that Wendy is staying at home. All through my residency and fellowship, my wife was taking the children to daily Mass. For her, Mass was the focus of the day and was an opportunity to see adults(good when you only have little ones). She still takes them to daily Mass several times a week. It is a tremendous consolation knowing that my beloved was praying for me at Mass and bringing our children to Mass as well. I join them when I can.
ReplyDeleteWashable nappies - haven't seen them since my youngest brother was in diapers - in the late 1970's. I recall driving one of those big silly safety pins through my finger.
I hate those safety pins too(that's an oxymoron if ever I heard one!) But luckily we have found Bambino Mio nappy systems which are fully washable and resemble the ease of use of disposables. Yes, you see how my train of thought is now changing as a new father...
ReplyDeleteHere is my book recommendation. I wish I had read this book when my first born was little. You could probably wait a couple of years before reading this book, but there is no time like the present.
ReplyDeleteReal Learning by Elizabeth Foss
http://macbethsopinion.com/book.html
Here is her blog site.http://ebeth.typepad.com/reallearning/