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A Savvy Mother Talk Book Tour

Many of you already know that I am the mother of two bright and beautiful daughters. God knows I post enough photos of them around here to make it pretty obvious. So, what does having daughters mean to me? It means a lot but what first comes to mind is my wish to raise them to be strong, independent, empowered women all the while trying my darnedest not to saddle them with my own baggage (namely, the female kind). So far, so good, I guess. But my oldest is headed for Tweenville and that means it's only going to get harder for me to navigate the precarious mother/daughter waters.

Long ago, back before we even had kids, my husband insisted that I bow out of The Sex Talk if ever that time came. He was certain that it would be futile for me to try to hide my uptightness about all things below the belt and figured he’d be the better speaker of the house. I didn’t take offense to it because I knew he was right. But time has passed and I better understand some of my issues and have faced them over the years. And now, in the blink of an eye, I am dealing with a nine-year-old daughter and on a daily basis am deciding how and when to interject the tid-bits of girl info as she needs it. Considering I never even called a vagina by it’s proper name until she was like 5, it’s been a slow road. Regardless a few set backs, over the last few years, I have decidedly been much more forthright with her, sharing the details of my own cycle in ways that have seemed to comfortably open the lines of communication. Whew. I figure if I can keep it going, then the talk won’t necessarily have to be such a big talk but more of an extension of the things we’ve already been sharing (she says with fingers crossed).

Lucky for me, before things have gotten hairy (that might be a pun if you really think about it- so try not to think about it), a book like Toni Weschler's Cycle Savvy came along. I was thrilled when the call went out from Mother Talk to review the new book geared toward girls 14 and older. "Ah ha," I thought, "I’ve got a few years until then and I have time to arm myself with the info in this book so I’ll be really ready!" I figured from the title and the fab graphics that it’d be a perfect book to read and entrust my daughter with when the time comes. I started with the “note to moms” which is obviously a disclaimer for what was about to be discussed in the book and it managed to put me at ease right away. And then I really began. When I got to page 8 it was all I could do not to slam the book shut. Oh my God, I am not ready for this. See, page 8 is a graphic line drawing of the female genitalia, spread eagle, labeled and plain as day. Breathe Tracey, breathe. And then, through one squinted eye, I studied the drawing a little more closely. My eyes opened. Aaaah, so that’s where that is. Oooo, that’s what that’s called.

I found I was able to gather my thoughts and talk myself off the cliffs of Mt. Prude. And what happened next was remarkable. I began reading Cycle Savvy as a curious teen. Apparently, in many ways I am. I won't pretend ladies, there is stuff in this book that I didn't know. I haven’t read Toni’s first, wildly popular book Taking Charge of Your Fertility. Yet. Is it that obvious? Anyway, Toni’s approach is one of respect, knowledge, understanding and humor. I love her voice and to my astonishment I felt very comfortable reading about all the female stuff that might normally make me squirm especially in the context of knowing my daughter will be reading it one day. We’re not just talking periods here. Toni covers or perhaps better said uncovers topics like cervical fluid, ovulation, fertility, the ‘first time’ (gulp), birth control, and STDs to name a few. At great length and in detail I might add. Yep. It’s all in there and more.

So then I pondered her words and her straight-forward approach as a mother of a one-day teen and wanted to embrace her. She spoke in the language that I want to speak with my daughter; confident, kind, funny, and trusting. With teens, it’s not only what you say, it’s how you say it. And Toni has got it going on. She’s not trying to be one of the teens she’s targeting. Thank God. She’s just trying to be someone they will listen to, which is no easy task. She casts no judgment and offers clear, concise information that not only sheds light on the mysteries of the female body but empowers young women by entrusting them with the info they will need to make smart choices for themselves in life. As in every facet of life, not just in sex (although that is covered so well, I might have to memorize it and recite it when the time comes). Rest assured taking charge of your fertility isn’t easy at any age. If you consider doing so is like cracking the code to your whole personal make up it’s no wonder it takes some doing. But Toni offers the tools girls, ahem, women need to do just that, if and when they are ready to listen to and take charge of their bodies. It got me all fired up, I can tell you that much, and that’s a start.

Cycle Savvy is a book designed to help teen girls demystify their “awesome and amazing” bodies (gotta love those adjectives!) and in turn honor themselves and through it all offers the universal messages that many moms strive to instill in their daughters. One of the highlights for me is when the author describes “the four little words that can change your life.” She continues, “Commit them to memory, make them your mantra, own them. They will serve you again and again. Knowledge: Good. Ignorance: Bad.” That single message alone makes the book worth reading. I can guarantee that Cycle Savvy will be right here on my shelf (once I’ve read through it a few more times) waiting to be used for it’s highest good; to help me, help my daughter understand her own unique and miraculous body as she grows into the amazing young woman I see glimpses of even today.

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Just added-
I am giving away a free copy of Cycle Savvy- The Smart Teen's Guide to the Mysteries of Her Body. It'll be a random drawing taken from all the people who comment on this post. Thanks and good luck!

Picture Perfect

The phrase "a picture is worth a thousand words" has never been more true.

http://news.yahoo.com/photo/061208/ids_photos_wl/r470729295.jpg

It All Adds Up

Back to the giving...because that's what this season is all about.

Minti is giving a dollar to the Starlight Starbright Foundation with each new member that registers over there. Wow. Talk about generous. That's going to add up to lots of dollars! And I can't think of a better place to give that kind of money to. OMG. It's a really awesome foundation.

So, if you're not a Minti Member yet, it's the perfect time to get over there and sign up. There's a button over in my trusty sidebar. And be sure to stop over to my home page there and say howdy.

Notes to Myself

Remember to love no matter what.
Remember to give to those who are in need.
Remember to ask for help when you are in need.
Remember that no matter how bad it is, it could be worse.
Remember that you are not alone (even when it feels like you are).
Remember that whatever it is, it's usually not worth the stress.
Remember to breathe.
Remember to be kind.
Remember to laugh.
Remember to keep your perspective.
Remember to pick your battles.
Remember your priorities.
Remember to give yourself extra time.
Remember to say "I Love You".
Remember to take the high road.
Remember to look up at the sky sometimes.
Remember to look for beauty because it's there.
Remember that playing is not optional.
Remember dreams can come true (but you have to dream first).
Remember that one day you will miss the chaos of mothering young children.
Remember to write it down because you won't remember if you don't.
Remember you can never ever take too many pictures.



Mama Says Om (remember)

The Ultimate Gift

An amazing group of my mom friends have come together to provide some relief for a needy family this season through Heifer International. I find the gesture particularly moving; providing families a way to sustain their households by giving them something as valuable as livestock which provides a long term solution instead of short term relief. Heifer Internationals mission is inspiring, ingenious and successful.

I have decided to have a Heifer campaign here and post about it at my many online homes and see what comes of it. One thing I've learned is that a blog is a great place to bring awareness to good causes and there are plenty of them. Heifer International is the one I'm choosing to support this season. Check out the my new button over there (in the right sidebar) with my fundraising meter. It's oh so exciting as I have never had a direct fundraising effort on my blog before. If you are looking to give a little something extra this year, I encourage you visit my fundraising page. If we reach the $500 mark, we can provide this for someone who could really use it. And even if we just gather a fraction of it, we can still help by providing this, this or this. Sweet.

Soon, there will be another good cause to share as the compassionate people behind it, but for today, read all about the lives that have been changed by one Heifer cow. And if you're inspired, blog about it.

Happy Birthday

I vividly remember the very first time I ever saw my husband and as I watched him from across the room (OK it was a bar), I absolutely knew he was one of those exceptional people. It was only later that evening, when I spoke with him (for like 3 hours) that I realized he was even more than that. He was extraordinary.

Fast forward almost 17 years later and I still wonder how on earth I am lucky enough to have him as my husband. It's beyond me. And trite as it may sound, there is no one on this earth that I would rather be with. I am grateful for everything he is and for the life we have built together.
I celebrate today because it was the day he came into this world.

Happy Birthday to my safe haven, my comedic relief, my partner in parenthood, my forever true love.