October Fav Bits from Around the Web

Here's your monthly dose of links from around the web.  Some great stuff in October!

Lesley often feels like my faraway mama twin. As someone who is often straddling the working/mama fence, this post really resonated! 

As a mom of a high needs child, this made me cry. "Your baby is not “good” but your baby is essentially himself/herself. Babies like him/her become the people the world needs: people with a fire in their bellies and a firm footing in love. Your baby is not “good.” Your baby is perfect. And your baby will change the world."

With all of the crazy gun violence that still continues to permeate our schools, this article about lockdown drills really hit home.  Something HAS to be done. 

Dear Mom, You are Stronger Than You Think. 

This is a beautiful craigslist letter.  You never know who's life you are changing

Overthinking Worriers are probably creative geniuses. #Winning.

Screw Finding Your Passion. "If you’re passionate about something, it will already feel like such an ingrained part of your life that you will have to be reminded by people that it’s not normal, that other people aren’t like that." <-- You mean not everyone screams at the TV when the media portrays birth incorrectly and fear mongering? Or your husband doesn't tell you "Shh I get it, you're right, I'm just trying to watch the Girls finale." Great article.

Did you read anything great in October? 

September Favorite Bits Around the Web

I read so many blogs and articles in any given week.  Whether they are blogs I have in my feedly list or links that people share on social. There's always so many.  But some really stick out or strike a chord in a specific way. Here are some of the great things I read in September. 

Zen Habits always inspires me to be more focused and intentional, and I love this about How to NOT do it all. 

I am totally guilty of at times being the person on the phone, but I am trying so hard to be better about this.  Alexandra always gets right to the heart of the point. 

I'm often asked how, given the insanity of my daily & weekly schedules do I find the time to read - so I particularly enjoyed this Fast Company article about how busy people make time to read.  Really, it's possible if you make it a priority. I promise. Also this one about "reading and neglecting your family" is great too. Sarcastic title, but same point. Priorities. 

This resonated so much.  I am SO guilty of being achievement based, and not solely doing something for the pure Joy of it.  Really need to be better at this. Why you need a true hobby and not just a side hustle.  

Really interesting article about why much of the Gen Y/ Millennial generation is unhappy.  I am thankful that I have somewhat of the opposite problem.  I have a hard time being confident in my worth - but I can definitely see how this 'specialness' is rampant and apparent in much of the Millennial generation.  Generational stuff has always fascinated me.  I am uncharacteristic in that I am Millennial with older Baby Boomer parents.  My dad is nearly in the generation pre-baby boomer.  Whereas, the majority of millennials were raised by Gen X and very young baby boomer parents (which my dad would say aren't really baby boomers at all, ha.)  I do think that makes a difference, or at least it did for me. 

I am pretty sure I often experience all of these seasons of motherhood on a weekly basis. 

Yes! The research Dr. James McKenna has done on cosleeping is amazing and this new concept of "Breastsleeping" so scientifically makes sense. 

What kinds of good stuff have you read lately?
 

Best Things I Read This Summer

So I don't think I'll ever quite get it together enough to share links on a weekly basis like many bloggers do,  but perhaps eventually monthly will happen? Instead, here are the best articles and blogs I read over the course of the summer.  Fitting since Labor Day weekend tends to mark the actual 'start' of fall, no?

Honestly, I think that is one of the best parts of the internet. Being able to share our stories and have someone else resonate with them in some way.

Some of these I shared with just friends, some on Facebook. Some not at all.  They're all great though!

 8 reasons I'm not weaning my 14 month old anytime soon.  Yep, Clare's 18 months. Totally agree.

As someone who used to work with autistic kiddos, this one was so sweet and really hit home.

Interesting npr article about why indigenous cultures don't have back pain. 

This weaning story reminds me of the hormonal upheaval I experienced going off the pill.

I really want to instill this kind of body positivity in Clare. It's so hard. 

Since meditation has been my big daily habit/goal this year, this is SO true.

Breast milk is freaking amazing. 

20 mom things I wish I'd done more of. Such a good reminder for those of us in the thick of it. 

And two of my most favorites:

When did we start trusting experts over our own eyeballs. This. All of this.  Thank you, Janelle. Can we be friends please? :) 

Dear Moms whose partners work long hours.  Oh Man, this.  It's crazy how someone with a husband starting his medical residency can be so similar to that of an amtrak engineer's wife. This will have to be a post I go back and read again and again. Taking comfort that other people 'get' our unpredictable lifestyle. 

What great posts did you read this summer? Hopefully I'll be back in October with just the best things I read in September. :)