A Joyous Birth member wrote this for
her son. It's lovely! I thought you might like to read it : )
Intro: Just remembering the days
when I 'attachment parented' one or two children...the comments about how
they'll never sleep alone, be independent, stop breastfeedingmaking a rod
for my own back...they'll be spoilt etc, I thought you may be interested to read
this. Written for The Mother magazine www.themothermagazine.co.uk this was also enclosed in Jake's 16th
birthday gift, a copy of Johnathan Livingston Seagull.
BOY By Emma Lewis To All The Parents Who Are Being Told
Otherwise By Everyone, Take heed; Meet Jake. This is
the boy who Everyone said couldnt possibly be born in a house-truck with no
running water or electricity. This is the boy who Everyone said I
couldnt possibly birth without medical intervention. This is the boy
who Everyone said was a high risk pregnancy because I would not eat red
meat
had a very rare blood group
was short with a small shoe size
was sooo
young (20!!!). This is the boy who Everyone said would never stop
breastfeeding
sleep alone
be independent
be able to socialize (when he learned
at home). This is the boy who Everyone said was deprived as he didnt
get playgroup biscuits
grandmas sweets
sausages at the village fete.
This is the boy who Everyone said would need to leave playgroup
because he bit a boy who had been terrorizing him for a year, and I refused to
smack him for biting
and then it was discovered he wasnt vaccinated I think
they thought he was carrying rabies!!! This is the boy who Everyone
said would never be any good at maths. This is the boy who Everyone
said we were irresponsible to continue travelling with. And
This is the boy who was indeed born peacefully in a housetruck.
This is the boy who at aged three asked me: What would this be if it
wasnt a stone? ?! This is the boy who wanted a present just
like the ones on the Christmas cards and was so delighted to receive a gift
wrapped in sparkly paper and a bow, the contents were irrelevant. This
is the boy who walked and carried backpacks for all the years we were
vehicle-free, including at six years old 25+kms daily as we pushed a handcart
around New Zealand. This is the boy who would perform Funny Shows to
cheer up his siblings when they were hurt or sad. This is the boy who
would cuddle his baby siblings to sleep and continue to hold them asleep in
his arms (because he knew where babies need to be). This is the boy
who waited nine years to be in one place long enough to finally have his
yearned-for silkie hens and was so concerned for their well-being and
comfort that he slept with them in the newly-built hen-house (Cluckingham
Palace) for their first few nights away from their mother. This is the
boy who didnt mind at all about having four sisters in a row (after him),
despite Everyone saying he should. This is the boy who, at nine years
old, merrily and confidently travelled from New Zealand to France with friends
for a 6 month adventure so much for never being independent!! This
is the boy who wrote, illustrated and published his first conservation-based
book at age 11, donating all the proceeds to the trust that helps save the
rare penguins he wrote of (www.yellow-eyedpenguin.org.nz). This is the
boy who appeared on prime-time national radio and tv, and in newspapers and
magazines internationally to promote the book and the penguins plight
despite absolutely hating the lime-light. This is the boy who, on
starting school (at 11), totally confused and baffled the teachers with his
questions, understanding, concepts and knowledge. This is the boy who,
on initially being outcast at school, said it was OK because he Liked
himself. This is the boy who knows how to seek until he finds the
truth. This is the boy who brought home the class award for being a
great role model. This is the boy who does just fine at maths
thankyou very much (although still believes he cant thanks to those earlier
comments!). This is the boy who has attended more joyful, natural
births (seven siblings) than most obstetricians, doctors and medical midwives.
This is the boy who can stand up to authority when he knows its
wrong. This is the boy who leads by example, despite contrary peer
pressure. This is the boy who has a really neat bunch of mates.
This is the boy who has (currently) found his passion in art,
graphics, music and drumming. This is the boy who, at 16, is off for
his very first, self-funded, solo adventure back to New Zealand from
Australia, where he is being welcomed back to his previous summers employment
as he is such a conscientious, well-liked team member, and to socialize with
his many, special, varied friends there. Happily.
Independently. Freely. Stand strong. Be free. Fly high
