Damned if you do...

Alright, people, I'm back.  I worked through my blog-estential crisis, and I've come to the conclusion that I don't need to be "viable."  Phew.  Pressure's off; so let's get typing.

Did you see the article this week on How to Talk to Little Girls?  Or how about How to Land Your Kid in Therapy?  Both are really great food for thought.

The first, which reminds us of the media and culture generated obsession with women's appearances, made me think a lot about my own childhood.  Interestingly, as the child of two feminist parents straight out of the 60's, I actually received the message over and over again that looks don't matter at all.

One day, circa second grade, I came home from the playground and was so excited to tell my mom about this great new cheer I had learned from my older (female) neighbor:

"Firecracker, firecracker, boom, boom, boom!  Firecracker, firecracker, boom, boom, boom!  Men have the muscles, teachers have the brains, but girls have the sexy legs, so they win the game!"

I think my mother's head almost exploded.  To this day, I think it's the angriest I have ever seen her.  Of course we then talked about how these were stereotypes, and how women are smart and have muscles too.  What also got communicated to me, although inadvertently, was that being sexy was bad.

Which brings me to the second article I mention above, which delves into the pitfalls of parents doing too much to shelter their children, and the resulting dearth of kid's coping skills.  As one of my friends who also read the article said, sometimes it feels like no matter what you do (or don't do) you will somehow give your children issues.

So, then, what issues shall they be?

Breast is Best, But Good Lord, I Need a Rest

After just over a year, I brought my pump home from work today for good.  I took the sign off my door that read, "If door is closed, please check back in 15 minutes," and opened the blinds on my internal office window that have been shut for the past 12 months, 1 week and 5 days.  

How does this make me feel?  In a word: halle-fricking-lu-jah!

Now, I will admit, I'm not done nursing.  Morning and bedtime sessions will still be on the agenda for at least one to two more months, which I am completely okay with... But not pumping at work anymore?  That is something that I am completely okay with bidding adieu.

So as our little family enters this new chapter, we would appreciate tips on how not to go broke while buying ungodly amounts of organic whole milk.  Thanks in advance.