Hello! Let's Do A Deep Dive!

My hope and intent for this particular space of this website is to share not only my thoughts and findings, but also to create a solid foundation for resources and community. So who am I? In short, I'm an Algonquin Woman. I'm a Mother, Home Educator, Holistic Doula, Master Reiki Practitioner, Gardener, Hobby Farmer and Student of Life!!

Yes, I'm a woman first. This seems to be a foreign concept in todays Western Culture. We, as women and mothers, are expected to serve, give, pour into others and put ourselves absolutely last - BUT! - we are told to do all of the things self care and to sit still and look pretty. *insert eye roll* Its taken me a long long time (and I'm still not all of the way there yet) to understand that I am the only one I have to live with every day. The relationship I have with myself, as a woman, is the foundation for all other relationships. Sure, I have children, but they will outgrow their dependency on me and venture off to create their own nest. There is no guarantee that a sacred love partnership will be something that I am part of until my last breath, for he maintains his own autonomy. (And he could out live me after all!) I have dear friends and extended family, but even they don't share every day with me. I will be doing a deep dive into self care and what that means to me. In short, it means doing something that I love AND something that shows myself I'm taking care of at least one aspect of who I am every day. There are so many cliche statements about not pouring from an empty cup or putting on our own oxygen masks before anyone else's - but they really are true.

I'm a mother. Right from being pregnant with my first, I knew I wanted different from the status quo. Midwives and homebirths were not as common or popular in 2007. A separate post will talk about my birth stories. I'm an advocate and supporter of body autonomy, especially for babies and children. I support breastfeeding, babywearing, bedsharing, gentle parenting and home educating. (Just because I do these and support these doesn't mean its the only way. And spoiler alert, I didn't have much of a breastfeeding relationship with either of my children, that I will further discuss! I am always happy to have conversation and even debates about these!) As of writing this in March of 2024, I am a single mom of a 16 and 12 year old. I also have a 25 year old bonus son, who is off living his young adult life, but am very much part of his life. If you are reading this and you are a mom (or dad!) there really isn't much more important than your children.

I'm a Home Educator and have been since 2015! I believe home is the center of the family and most children learn best at home. Over the years we have tried many different curriculums. I have found that my kids learn best in connection with their teacher/educator AND that I love learning alongside them!

This is probably what most of you are waiting for! I'm a HOLISTIC DOULA. Right now, supporting pregnancy, birth and postpartum is under a shift in terminology. I often use the label of Doula, but there is Birth Worker, Birth Keeper, Labour Coach, Birth Attendant.... I really didn't think that at 10 years into this work, I'd still be explaining what a Doula is. A Doula is a nonmedical but essential part of a birth and/or postpartum team. A Birth Doula helps prepare and attends births in support of the family, providing many layers of support. A Postpartum Doula is a helps a family prepare for and support through the postpartum period. Some define the postpartum period as the first 6 weeks after a baby is born. Evidence shows that it takes a woman ONE YEAR to heal and recover from a low risk/no complication birth! Which means that a birth with increased risk/complications/interventions or any trauma could mean it will take much much longer for that recovery and healing. So, with that said, if a family needs support, I will support. Being a Holistic Doula means I support the woman/family as a whole. More about that to come.

Master Usui Reiki Practitioner. It feels like quite the mouthful to say. Reiki is an alternative healing practice using gentle hands to encourage stress reduction, relaxation and healing. It works on the life force energies that flows through all of us. Everything alive has life force energy. Yes! Animals and plants can benefit from Reiki treatments. Being a Master means I've completed Level 1, Level 2 and the Master Level of training. The attunements given during each level of training deepen my skill and ability to use and move energy.

I am a gardener and hobby farmer. These are new loves and passions for me and I am very much an amateur. Food sovereignty and food security are extremely important to me. Most of this aspect of my life is on a bit of a sabbatical but I am super excited to get back onto some acreage to once again raise chickens, ducks, rabbits and goats. Maybe even a family milk cow!

This deep dive is really just further scratching the surface further into who I am. I look forward to sharing and connecting more with you!

~with love, A