Hedgenotes
a blog on life and all the things from my side of the hedge.
As a sensitive and fair-skinned redhead you'd think sunscreen was my bff. In reality, its not something my generation (I'm a Xennial born in ‘78) grew up using regularly. SPF 15 wasn’t even a promoted thing until I was 11ish and I have precisely *0* recollections of using sunscreen, other than on beach days in my late teens.
SPF 30 didn’t hit the markets till the early 90’s and wasn’t the standard minimum recommendation in Canada until 2016 though the Canadian Dermatology Association started advising the use of SPF 30 as the minimum, in 2008. As late as 1999, there was still controversy in the medical science world “regarding the role of sunlight in the development of skin cancer” (CMAJ article). As a young adult, while SPF 30 technically existed, “everyone knew” the best way to avoid a sunburn was to get a good base tan first. Having a “summer glow” was considered healthy and good. Smearing Noxzema cream on your sunburn was par for the course to cool it down. The only problem with having a bad sunburn was that it was painful or might make you feel sick if it was bad enough. But sun exposure being linked to cancer risk was simply not a thing we worried about. Sunscreen was really only something you used if you were going to the beach for the day, and even then you’d see just as many people all greased up with their SPF 4 tanning oil and their foil reflectors to catch more rays as you did people applying sunscreen. Times have changed and we know more now. I *know* its important. And I know the mineral/physical sunscreens made with zinc and titanium have long been touted as safest and gentlest. I also know that mineral/physical sunscreens feel heavy and gross and make my skin feel claustrophobic. I of course use them anyways if I have to be out in the sun for more than a few minutes during peak UV times, but I don’t like it and I certainly have never found a sunscreen I was willing and able to wear daily. https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/16/fashion/16genb.html https://dermatology.ca/industry/industry-recognition-programs/spp/#:~:text=In%201989%2C%20with%20the%20encouragement,to%2030%20in%20September%202008 https://globalnews.ca/news/2744139/heres-a-list-of-changes-to-canadas-sun-safety-guidelines-the-first-update-in-20-years/ https://www.cmaj.ca/content/cmaj/160/10/1471.full.pdf
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12/31/2017 updated June 2024
This story unfolds differently for each person, but all people who have experienced miscarriage have this in common: First you were pregnant. And then you were not. Your womb is empty and so are your arms. Some find relief in the loss while others are devastated. Some face it stoically, while others crumble under the weight of their grief. There is no 'right way' to walk this journey. But there are guideposts along the way to help you as your journey unfolds. This post is written for those first days when a miscarriage is imminent or beginning, but is not yet complete. It uses Susun Weed's 6 Steps of Healing model to help you explore your options to bring the miscarriage to completion. It can be difficult to think clearly in the midst of loss - I hope this tool will be useful to you in a difficult time. <3 As always, remember that I am not a medical practitioner, and the information I provide here is for educational purposes only. It should not be considered as medical advice, a treatment protocol, a prescription, or a recommendation. Any and all information here is to be used at your own discretion, at your own risk, and in consultation with trusted caregivers whenever you deem necessary. ....May you find peace and healing on your journey. <3 9/13/2023 0 Comments Do we need to push our kids?There's a post circulating at the moment about how if we push neurodivergent kids when they're too close to the edge we'll push them over (bad), so we need to wait until they're regulated and ready, then push them just the right amount to challenge themselves (good).
And on first glance I almost shared it, because pushing kids over the edge is obviously a bad thing therefore pushing them just the right amount to 'push themselves' must be a good thing. But something felt off so I sat with it. Okay, so before I get into it, let me clarify two things. lol
Firstly, I'm a parent who believes wholeheartedly in full spectrum radical Unschooling as a way of life for *my* family. I think of unschooling as traditional homeschooling's wild and wise rebellious cousin who is part of the family but not always understood or welcomed at the table because our existence tends to make people uncomfortable. Unschooling does NOT mean leaving your child to do whatever they want whenever they want. Unschooling is a non-coercive child-led approach to learning where the parent creates a supportive and opportunity-rich environment in which to lovingly and respectfully co-exist with their child. Unschooling can even include formal curriculum and classes if that is what the child is genuinely looking for and they are both free to pursue that curriculum at their own pace AND free to quit, at their own discretion. Unschooling at its most basic is child-led, self-directed learning. In its fullest expression it is a radical full spectrum whole life approach to existence and growth which fully respects a child's personhood. Unschooling is built on an understanding of, and respect for, the innate curiosity and drive to learn *all* humans are born with. The school system methodically diminishes this drive, creating a society of adults who unquestioningly defer to so-called authorities and experts; who believe they have to do everything on their own (be independent) losing out on the beauty and strength of community and radical connection; and to parents who view themselves as incapable of supporting their children's growth and learning on their own, thus perpetuating the colonizing, capitalist, and ableist cycles of harm and control. Secondly, and just as importantly our culture has made parents depend on the school system, and even parents who know in their heart its not good for their kids aren't always able to make other choices. School is an extremely powerful system and the overwhelming majority of parents have their kids participate in it because colonization, capitalism, and all its cronies have slowly eroded parents' options to do otherwise even when they want to. I recognize our entire culture revolves around school and so the things I'm gonna say are not an indictment of individual parents or teachers who are doing the best they can with what they have and for the circumstances they're in, whether that be in the school system or with home-based learning. All that being said - Let's go! As a passionate and vocal advocate for respectful connected parenting, and as the neurodivergent mother of a PDA Autistic tween and a pre-diagnosed ADHD child.... one of the questions I often hear is "What about when a child "needs consequences? What about when they NEED to be punished? What do you do then? Because sometimes 'a talk and a hug' isn't enough you know. I want MY kids to grow up to be good people not spoiled brats"
If you ask most who are advocates for consequences or punishment of children what they believe the purpose is, they'll inevitably say something about teaching that actions have consequences and give an adult example like “if you get caught speeding you get a ticket not a cozy heart to heart and a hug” You know what though? Kids aren't stupid, and kids are not adults! |
Sarah StogrynHerbalist. Hedgewitch. Archives
September 2023
CategoriesAll ADHD ASD Homeschooling Mothering Neurodivergent Parenting Radical Whole Life Unschooling |