Why are we still talking about this?

A friend of mine posted this hilarious breastfeeding meme on Facebook and I could not even wrap my head around how the commentary got to a few dozen about it.  Everyone talking about what they do and what is/isn't acceptable.
"What's so wrong with the bathroom?  I don't mind it."
"My husband prefers that I cover, but I don't care what others do."
"I prefer to be modest."
"I never use a cover, baby hates it."
"I don't see why a woman can't cover up if it makes others around her uncomfortable."

Nursing while covered up? Nursing while uncovered? Using formula? Well good for you!  You're feeding your child!  I am a huge proponent of breastfeeding.  But I am also someone who had some major issues with latch and subsequently with supply, so I know the struggle is huge.  I had to stop after six months of breastfeeding and switch to formula to save my sanity and be a better mother to Little Man.

I just don't get why this is even a discussion.  You don't see people debating where, what and how other adults should eat... so why is this happening with infants?  Oh yes... because of BREASTS.  Those two lumps on a woman's chest that bare nipples.

The real problem nowadays lies within the media and the hypocrisy of today's society.  Photos like the one above have been reported and removed from Facebook.  But replace that woman with a teenager or Victoria's Secret model and that baby's head outline with a bra, then nobody thinks twice about it. Why is this?  Because everywhere we go, we are taught that sexy is good.  Sexy is awesome.  The better your body looks in underwear (or even naked), the more you are to be praised.  The purpose of the breast has shifted from infant nourishment to something to be sexually objectified.  How messed up is it that a woman is indecent in the photo above but a woman with the same amount of cleavage not nursing a child isn't? 

This conversation shouldn't even be happening anymore.  Women should be able to breastfeed their child when, where, and however they wish.  It shouldn't even be up for discussion what is acceptable and what is not.  What's acceptable?  Feeding your child when they are hungry.  Boom.  That is the only true and right answer to this "conversation".  What blows my mind is that we are still having it.

Life Choices

Sorry I've been absent as of late.  Since my last post, we finally found a house, our offer was accepted, and we got all of our ducks in a row to close next month.  Plus I've been wrapping up school duties, clearing out old textbooks and materials to make room for new ones and growing bigger by the minute (32 weeks pregnant as of this coming Sunday).   Needless to say, life is crazy.. which is kind of what I want to touch on.

I once saw a diagram that gave the options of happy kids, clean house, and sanity.  It says to pick two.  I couldn't help but giggle at it because it's so true.  Moms are lucky to be able to pick two on a good day.. some are just one.

I am known to always be in a rush and often stressed.  I cut things closer than I should and leave cleaning until it's so unbearable that I need to clean for hours until it's acceptable again.

As our big move approaches as well as the birth of Little Miss, I couldn't help but realize how much I was focused on keeping life running rather than enjoying life as it was happening.  I'd be doing dishes and Little Man would come up to me with a book asking to read, but I'd tell him no because dishes needed to be done.

I had quite the epiphany this morning, however.  My husband has been traveling almost every day for work this week, so I've been responsible in the mornings not only for myself, but getting Little Man ready too.  It makes time tight, but we always eventually get out the door.  I was getting ready and about to put on my makeup and he came up to me with a book.  So rather than take my last five minutes to put on makeup, I spent those last five minutes going through his favorite book (animals) with him for the 567th time in his life.  I held on to him, kissed him, quizzed him on animals and their noises and just soaked in those precious five minutes.  As I was driving us to daycare, it just hit me how I've been taking baby steps lately to focus on him rather than focus on cleaning, being on time, or looking presentable.  Those five minutes I got with him this morning, I will never have them again.  I cannot express how thankful I am to have realized this and to have started making steps in the right direction without having anything major happen.

My to-do list is a mile long.  Every time I cross something off, I add two more things to it lately.  But Little Man, hubby, and eventually Little Miss need to STAY at the top of that list.

I want to be a good mother.  I want to be a good wife.  And I am slowly starting to realize that being those things means taking time for them, not keeping a clean house or keeping our schedule running.  Sometimes being five minutes late just to get in some extra snuggles is the best thing I can do.

Any readers I do have out there, I encourage you to put down that phone... to let those dishes stay dirty a day longer... to not fold the laundry tonight.  Play with your children, spend some time with your spouse... even treat yourself to some "time off".  Everything else will still be there tomorrow.  But this time you waste that could be with your family... that time can never come back.

photo from www.thisperfectmessblog.com/