7/21/2024 0 Comments Playing with Food
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7/2/2024 0 Comments Swinging with Ant-ticipation![]() There’s something magical about the simple joy of pushing your child on a swing. The rhythmic motion, the wind in their hair, and the pure delight on their face as they soar through the air—it's a cherished moment for any parent. But sometimes, even the most idyllic scenes can take an unexpected turn. One sunny afternoon, I found myself at our neighborhood park with my four energetic kids. The swing, as always, was a favorite. Our park had a large, circular swing that could hold my whole crew. With a gleam of excitement in their eyes, they hopped onto the swing and asked me to push. I began pushing gently, gradually building momentum. Laughter filled the air. They kept asking to go higher and higher. Eager to oblige, I gave one strong push, sending the swing into an exhilarating arc. But in my enthusiasm, I stumbled, lost my balance, and was thrown into the air. My fall, unfortunately, was cushioned not by soft mulch but by an unsuspecting ant pile. The shock of the fall was quickly overshadowed by the sharp, stinging bites of the disturbed ants. I glanced up to see my children doubled over in laughter. Once the initial chaos subsided, we all found ourselves laughing at the absurdity of the situation. It was a reminder that even in the midst of a perfect moment, life has its ways of keeping us grounded—sometimes quite literally. So, the next time you’re at the swing, remember: push with care, mind your footing, and always check for ants. Life’s little surprises are inevitable, but they’re also what make our stories worth telling. 3/22/2022 0 Comments Ha Doula Matata ... I Got You, Sis5/17/2021 0 Comments I Didn't Eat My PlacentaThere's something special about kids and their dogs. My kids grew up with a dog that we all loved very much. His name was Taz. My daughter and Taz were inseparable, best friends. As years went on, Taz grew old and no longer had the energy to play with my daughter. Instead, he kept a watchful eye on her from the front porch. A mass developed on his chest that we later learned was bone cancer. With arthritic hips and advanced age, the best we could do was keep him comfortable.
Taz eventually lost his ability to walk. The pain medications became ineffective, even at the highest dosage. One night, Taz began screaming and howling in agony. We took him to the vet's office where the vet confirmed that the cancer had spread to his spine. Taz was suffering. Euthanizing the family dog was difficult even though we knew we were ending his pain and suffering. It was especially difficult because my husband and I had to tell our young children that Taz was going to die. They were comforted by having the opportunity to say good-bye. They hugged him and gave him treats. Then they said good-bye one last time. Birth and death seem like direct opposites; however, they share some similarities. Birth and death are transitions. When I had my first child, I transitioned into motherhood. My old sense of self died. Moments after my daughter was born, I delivered the placenta. I inspected it with my midwife. The placenta was, in a sense, dying at that moment of my daughter’s birth. Its job of sustaining my baby’s life while in my womb was complete. I felt a sense of gratitude as I looked at it. I didn't want to discard such a precious organ as medical waste. It deserved something better, but I didn't know what. I stored the placenta in my the deep freezer for safe keeping until I could figure out how to honor it. When Taz died, we had a short burial ceremony in our backyard. I think by including our children in the burial ceremony, they were able to understand death better. My daughter wrote Taz a letter and placed it in the grave with him. Then I went to the freezer and pulled out my daughter's placenta that had sustained her life while I carried her in my womb. I placed her placenta in the grave next to Taz and whispered, "Job well done." ![]() I love discovering books at our local library! One of the books I picked up when my children were little was Mister and Lady Day by Amy Novesky and illustrated by Charlotte's own Vanessa Brantley Newton. It was an unexpected look at the life of Billie Holiday. My kids were already familiar with the historical figure. In fact, one of my children dressed up as Billie Holiday during her school's celebration of Black History Month. We had only known Billie Holiday as a singer. We did not know about the special relationships she had with her dogs and how they traveled with her. It was fun to get a glimpse of this Hollywood Star and her personal life. It brought Billie Holiday to life and made her relatable. 12/18/2020 0 Comments 2 Under 2
12/17/2020 0 Comments Lunchbox Fail
12/17/2020 0 Comments Well Played, Mom![]() This is the time of year when we hear the ringing of bells among the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping. As I have discussed before, shopping with the kids in tow can be an adventure. I think it's that way for most parents. My mother, however, was a master at getting her kids to behave while out in public. Every year, I am reminded of my mother's greatness when it came to getting her kids to shape up. It was a cold, December evening, and my mother needed to stop by the store on the way home. My sister and I bickered about everything: who got to sit in the front seat, who got to walk next to Mom, who got to push the cart, etc. Then we heard the ringing of bells and saw the red kettle. Curious, I asked my mother what the bells were about. Without hesitation and with a straight face, she said, "That's where you drop off kids who are misbehaving." My eyes widened and I tightened my grip on mother's arm. My sister and I didn't make a peep. My mother had no issues from either of us and was able to complete her shopping in heavenly peace. 11/11/2020 0 Comments Selecting a Doctor for Your Newborn![]() One of your very first parenting tasks might be selecting a doctor for your unborn child. I suggest you interview at least 2, and choose the one that you feel most comfortable with. Below is a list of interview questions to ask. What are your hours? What happens if my baby is sick after hours/weekend? Is there a 24-hour nurse's line? Is there a fee to use the 24-hour service? Are you open on weekends? Do you offer same-day sick appointments? Do you have hospital privileges? If so, which hospitals? What are your views on antibiotic use? Vaccinations? Breastfeeding beyond 1 year? Co-sleeping? Do you have a lactation consultant on staff? Are there separate waiting rooms for sick and well children? Questions to ask yourself: How did the staff treat you? Were they receptive to doing an interview? Did the doctor roll his/her eyes at any of your interview questions? Were you rushed? 10/15/2020 1 Comment Breakfast Sandwich on the GoI make these little breakfast pouches to enjoy on the go. They're quick and easy! You can fill them with whatever you want. This breakfast sandwich contains scrambled eggs, baby spinach, tomato, cheese and sour cream. You could also fill the pouches with rice, beans and salsa. Be creative!
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AuthorKira Kimble is a doula trainer, certified doula and doula mentor. She is the owner of MINE-R-T Doula Company in Charlotte, NC Archives
July 2024
CategoriesAll Books Breastfeeding Cooking Doula Health Parenting Placenta |