Doula Becoming Household Name

There is an awful lot of talk since President Obama has passed the healthcare reform legislation. While I don't presume to understand most of it, this little tidbit of information from my hometown thrilled me; the healthcare reform will begin to provide for community based doulas! This is incredibly exciting and truly would begin to really fulfill the vision of a Doula for every woman. Also, I just discovered this provision of the healthcare reform legislation for breastfeeding mothers on Doula-ing Blog. The United States has a long way to go regarding maternal mortality, care for mothers, lowering the c-section and intervention rate, etc., but I am incredibly hopeful and optimistic about these changes. The birth ball is rolling!

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Y'know what? I LIKE Earth Day!

You know, I really don't care how Earth day started and why. Just like I don't care that Mother's day and Valentine's day are Hallmarks tricks to guilt you into buying lots of presents and acknowledging the one you love. Y'know why I don't care? Because if it gets some folks to OPEN their eyes and take a moment to become AWARE then I am all for it. If a person never calls their mother or visits her except on mother's day, well shame on them, but at least there is that one moment in time that they have. If you never say I love you except on February 14, well you're a fool, but at least your sweetheart has that moment in time. If you already do what is right, forget Hallmark and continue on, for you are blessed! That is why I am benevolent about Earth Day. For sure it is our duty to take care of our planet. I give thanks for the beautiful planet I live on! I bless her by caring for her. I try not to make excess waste and live consciously. But there are man...

Crossing the Narrow Bridge--Together

For the past nine years I have wanted to learn Breslov Chasidut with someone, anyone, near my home. As there is no vibrant Breslov community here I was pretty much tough outta luck. I continued on my not so merry way, and occasionally I would meet up with someone who would be willing to learn a little with me. I must say, those times were like a small oasis to me and I was most grateful for them but they lasted only weeks, if I was lucky. By nobody's fault the learning simply fizzled out. Well, perhaps it was someone's fault. Maybe even mine. Perhaps I just wasn't ready. Perhaps I was not committed to learning with others and sharing that learning. Perhaps I simply did not want it enough then, because this past summer I have enjoyed the sweetness of learning with a group of ladies that have become such a precious time in my week and particularly of my shabbat. It all started when I met one lady at shul (synagogue). Now allow me to preface this with just a little someth...

It DoesTakes a Village, but....

Today the discussion came up of when school should start next year. The problem to be addressed is do we start at the end of August or after Rosh Hashana. My administrator said, "I think it's important to start in August so that the children can learn about Rosh Hashana." Immediately my gut reacted. I thought to myself, "What are you talking about?! The is a religious Gan! All of these children come from 'frum' families. Of course they will learn about rosh hashana...from their parents!" I felt anger rising up and a lot of frustration. I realized it came from my homeschooler mentality. Let me explain what I mean. As a homeschooler, and yes even though my children are all grown I still think like one, I do not understand this idea that the school needs to teach the children about rosh hashana at all. I expressed my feelings to my administrator, admitting that I am coming from a homeschooling mind set. I explained that I taught my children my beliefs and ...

Yael Nehama

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