Are feminism and attachment parenting practices compatible?

Are feminism and attachment parenting practices compatible?

I am a feminist mother & believe firmly in the positive result of attachment parenting with my daughter. I feel I am her best advocate an model of love, support and a full nurturing base. I think when non feminist think of feminist mothers we are viewed as women who want to have it all which does exclude having a secure attachment to our children and families. In all actuality it is quite the opportunity as expressed in the article. Feminist mothers are more apt to practice attachment parenting over non feminist mothers.

The Journey Continues...2012

Makenna has been out of the hospital for almost 2 years this May 2012. She was recently admitted to Dayton Children's Hospital on April 9, 2012 due to some changes in her behavior. After her admission she was sent to CT Scan. The scan revealed 4th ventricle enlargement. Prior to this admission Makenna had place an ETV drain ( small tube inserted into the floor of the 3rd ventricle in her brain. This ETV became blocked and enlarged the ventricles, thus increasing the size of her head circumferance. Makenna's neurosurgeon Dr. Laurence Kleiner felt surgery was needed to investigate the cause of the trouble. Once inside the brain he learned that scar tissue was the culprit and that it formed entirely around the original openning to the drain. The ETV was removed and replaced with a new one in a new location. Makenna is now in the PICU and using an EVS ( a monintor that determines the flow of CSF ( cerbral spinal fluid) that is drained from her brain. She will be on this monitor for 3 days for observation. The hope is that she is able to become stable with the ETV and this placement will work for her. If not a VP shunt will be placced in the right posterior of her brain and routed around to drain the fluid to safely prevent skin break down and infection. However it was explained to me that because Makenna has had so many shunt revisions and externalization the sirk for infection is increased by 70% with each new placement and or revision of a shunt/device.
So now we just prepare to keeo Makenna in good spirits while she stabilizes her pressure in hopes the ETV drain will be the best option for her.
I continue to pray and be thankful for each day I am allowed to see her smile and hug and kiss that cute face. If you haven't hugged a Makenna today, you truly are missing out!

Macrocephaly Capillary Malformation

Please show your support of Makenna and friends by making your donation to the M-CM Network.
Macrocephaly-capillary malformation is a rare, genetic syndrome first identified by researchers in the late 1990s. Many medical providers are unfamiliar with M-CM and affected children and their families face more questions than answers regarding the course of this condition.
M-CM Network provides comprehensive medical information about M-CM to aid in diagnosis and treatment decisions. Our goal is to establish a disease registry to collect data about affected individuals so that we can greatly expand the scope of what is known about M-CM. You can donate to help us meet this goal.

Please donate by going to:
http://www.m-cm.net/donate

Top Ten Toys for Kids with Special Needs

Wedgits: 2 years +. This building toy promotes tactile exploration, encourages use of motor skills and stimulates vision.

* Wee Wedgits: 12 months +. Another popular building toy that is good for tactile exploration, motor skills and vision.

* Mega Bloks: 12 months +. For the same benefits noted in the above building toys, these toy blocks also come highly recommended.

* Playmobil: 4 years +. These pretend play toys come in different themes such as Egyptian, school, hospital, zoo, and more and encourage use of motor skills, stimulates imagination and encourages exploration of the environment.

* Bruder Roadmax Road Loader with Backhoe: 2 years +. This toy vehicle stimulates the imagination, introduces cause and effect, and promotes the use of motor skills.

* Enchanted Forest: 6 years +. This game builds concentration, vocabulary, memory, imagination, cooperation and self-esteem.

* Lauri Stack and Sort Boards: ages 2 - 5. These preschool toys teach colors, shapes, numbers and problem solving as well as advances mental development.

* Melissa & Doug Shape Sorters: 6 months - 3 years. This toy promotes fine motor skills and teaches shapes and colors. The sorter must be easy to open to eliminate frustration.

* Learning Resources Smart Snacks Trail Mix & Match: ages 2 - 6. This toy manipulates fine motor skills, introduces counting, patterning and matching through imaginative play.

* Twig by Fat Brain Toy Co.: 3 years +.This toy develops sensory awareness, cooperative and independent play, and artistic expression.

Makenna and the Great Pumpkins 2010 October

Makenna went to her first pumpkin patch this October at Stoney Creek Farms in Northern, IN. She was joined by her friend Nicholas and his parents Jason and Letha and Uncle Shane. The kids took a tour via a nice hay ride in the pumpkin patch and picked out their own pumpkins to decorate later. Makenna invited her Grandma Marsha over to watch "The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and to decorate her pumpkin. This year Makenna will be dressed as Dr. Makenna Clark- Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Riley Hospital For Children. Pictures of this costume soon to follow.

Ready to Shop

She would learn where the money was hidden for her many trips to Wal-Mart. She found mommys purse and was taking it to the door. She had to return because she forgot the car keys. She is contemplating on getting her own purse however she learned that should would have to spend her own money. After a long debate, she decided to just use my purse in the meantime....afterall it is a cheaper option than spending her own hard earned money.

M-CMTC Best Friends: America's Favorite Couple

Finally after a long wait, Jackson and Makenna have the first play date. July 1, 2010. The cutie pies had lunch at Red Robin.....Yummm and then played with toys at Makenna's house along with help from Mrs. Sharon. The couple has planned for a second date later this summer at the Indiana Dunes. They will continue emailing and talking over the phone to make future plans.