Conscious Choice: Baby On Board

July 2008 | To The Editor

Baby On Board

Thanks for the great progressive parenting ideas in the June issue. I’d like to add two more: One, use a midwife — they really take care of the mom and baby in a holistic, natural way — both before and after birth. We’re lucky enough to have the Seattle Midwifery School here, so there are lots of great women out there supporting local moms.

Two, wear your baby! Baby-wearing creates closeness and can help with sleep. There’s fabulous research about how it also helps with bonding and frees up hands for moms and dads too. Beyond the Baby Bjorn brand, there are wraps, slings, pouches, hard carriers, etc. No more lugging around a 20 pound plastic car seat. Take care and keep up the great work!

— Melissa Podeszwa, Seattle

Baby Off Board

Thanks to Mr. Wilson of Seattle for his letter mentioning overpopulation. I am 53 now and chose to have a tubal ligation for permanent birth control when I was 21-years-old. Luckily, Medi-Cal paid for it.

I am continually discouraged by how seldom overpopulation is even briefly addressed. I encourage you to offer free advertising to agencies like Planned Parenthood, foster childcare programs, adoption agencies, etc.

I encourage people who think they need to have children to explore all the millions of different ways to be creative, and if the need to be with children is strong, to be a very active, supportive godparent.

— Barbara Daugherty, Petaluma, Calif.

…Really Off Board

Giving birth to your own child in America is one of the most selfish, wasteful things you can ever do. 500,000 children are in foster care or orphaned in the United States right now. Overpopulation is causing foodlessness and environmental disaster everywhere we look.

Your magazine just gave the green-light to breeding, and even tactics to outwit Mother Nature’s best population control device: infertility.

Totally unacceptable.

— Uterus-free vegan, Chicago

Striking a Chord

Today, while eating lunch, I read the June From the Publisher column, “Conscious Community,” and felt compelled to send an e-mail. Arriving upon the last paragraph, tears welled up in my eyes and the knot in my throat made it hard to swallow. Sounds like a line from a bad song, but up until two years ago, I too admittedly felt alone as you. Fortunately, at forty years old, the Universe led me down a magnificent path, and I began taking classes in two alternative energy healing therapies. The beautiful souls I have met and befriended along the way — from teachers to fellow students and clients — have all helped to fill the perceived void I had. It is truly amazing how different one’s journey can be if we only open our eyes and hearts to each other.

With thanks to all of you at your magazine, peace and happiness.

— Christine Menolascino, Chicago

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