Sometimes being a raw mom feels like double-duty- doing everything on top of making everything we eat from scratch, and then trying to get our brood to eat it! I can say from experience ‘been there done that’ so I can honestly say #1 IT GET’S EASIER and #2 IT’S TOTALLY WORTH IT! First of all, it pays of in so many ways: I literally haven’t had a sick child in YEARS! They are both crazy active, and completely free of any health complaints. Next, EMOTIONALLY it is the difference between night and day between raising a child on the Standard American Diet with an over emphasis on protein and cooked foods not to mention all the processed food like ‘pizza’ or worse, junk food which is mostly just chemicals as opposed to simple, natural, real food. Poor kids. They get a bad attitude because they feel sooooo crappy, and then they get low grades in school and have socialization problems, and just cannot function properly. It has happened that during holidays or other times when we would ‘fall off the wagon’ for a party or celebration, and naturally go overboard on sugar and cooked options, we all notice the difference immediately. We all become agitated and restless and bored and moody- not natural for us usually. In fact, its ridiculous how calm, caring and fun to be around both the kids are when their diet is excellent and we are all just enjoying life. By the way, Moms, this works best as a lifestyle and not just a diet per se. So, ensuring enough exercise and outdoor time and enough rest/sleep and the right kind of stimulation out in Nature and not too much media, etc., makes a BIG difference too. 
The amazing thing to remember is that kids LOVE to help, to be involved and to participate in whatever is happening. I have made it really clear that although I take-on most of the shopping and food prep, that I am not running a hotel or restaurant and their help is needed and appreciated. It’s a family or team spirit to makes sure that Mom isn’t overworked or feeling really resentful and tired. I consider children after the age of 5 to be great additions to the ‘workforce’ within the home. A household just doesn’t run well with ONE PERSON doing all the work! It isn’t fair or just, and no one would be able to feel good about it. Having chores and looking after our home together is a bonding experience and a great skill to learn. LAUNDRY, FOOD PREP, TIDYING, VACCUMING, SWEEPING, DUSTING, FILLING SPICE RACKS, everything is an opportunity to contribute and make a difference. Let your family know all the different daily and weekly chores, and start asking for input from everyone on a regular basis. Moms are precious and important too! And kids whom are given real-life opportunities to contribute and be involved are proud of their efforts and feel good about themselves.
Tags: children, conscious parenting, parenthood, raw mom, Shannon Leone, Tips for Moms
I so agree Shannon! It is so important for our kiddies to feel useful and to gain knowledge about the workings of the household. I think it really helps to build their self-esteem and self-worth. Children love to help! We just have to be relaxed enough to allow them to help us - even if it isn’t how we would do it ourselves. Thanks for posting this one! xx
[...] mYsTyLe put an intriguing blog post on HAPPY KIDS ARE BUSY KIDS! by Shannon LeoneHere’s a quick excerptSometimes being a raw mom feels like double-duty- doing everything on top of making everything we eat from scratch, and then trying to get our brood to eat it! I can say from experience ‘been there done that’ so I can honestly say #1 IT GET’S EASIER and #2 IT’S TOTALLY WORTH IT! First of… [...]
Hi Shannon-I am sort of new to this raw stuff and really need some advice. I have a 10-month old baby and I need some ideas of what I can feed him. He really wants to eat, but I’ve read they can’t digest carbs until their eyeteeth come in. I have fed him oatmeal before, but I’m assuming he isn’t digesting it because it looks the same coming out that it did going in. He is on raw goat’s milk right now. I just need some help! Where can I find more information on what would be the healthiest to feed him and my other two growing boys? THanks, Tiffany
Dear Tiffany, I cannot give nutritional advice as much as I can tell you what I would do in your situation, which is to read everything I could on healthy babies, and namely Shazzie’s new book Evie’s Kitchen. It is allllll about how to feed a very young children and babies including which foods and supplements are necessarty for proper brain and nerve function. Go to http://www.shazzie.com
As well, we at RAW MOM are holding a HUGE event soon which will bring all the ‘experts’ including moms and doctors and herbalists and nutritonists into a panel which you will soon be able to in ONE PLACE get all the information you need to feel confident about raising healthy children. Blissings