I didn't think you'd be a "crunchy mummy"

[Sparrowlegs248]

Said to me. The reasons they think I'm a "crunchy" mum (whatever the fuck that means). I breastfed both children, with a few days gap in between, for a total of 4.5 yrs. I used a sling. I co slept with both, often still do with the younger (almost 3 yr old). I bake with them sometimes

Reasons I wasn't expected to be "crunchy" I wear "normal" clothes, wear make up, have tidy hair (sometimes) and go to work!!!

I'm a bit perplexed by this, from someone who I thought knew me quite well!

I love essential oils, and coconut oil, and calendula cream! 90% of our day to day health probs are solved with the above (meaning things like stuffy noses and mild excema)
I'm also keen on vaccines and kids nurofen though!

I grew up/live in Brighton so extended breastfeeding/cosleeping/slings/making your own granola feel like the mainstream choices to me.

I haven't heard that terms in years, I was definitely referred to as a crunchy when my eldest was born (now a young teen) my town wasnt ready for the shock of baby wearing

Apparently I don't look like a mum of three. I definitely am and wonder what a mum of three should look like?

The sort of people that make these remarks ... ug. Pretentious, snobby, and generally pathetic. You do what is best for you.

I must be more of a bag of giant Dairy Milk buttons kind of Mum.

Slings-made me hot and uncomfortable.
Baby in moses basket/own cot at night.
Failed spectacularly at BF
Don't like any sort of crunchy cereal, but have the occasional Coco Pops.

Totally failed the crunchy test as we used plastic feeding receptacles and drive a 4x4. Breastfed fr a year, carried DD in a sling, coslept, gentle parent etc, but our home is a kale free zone. Probably look crunchy mind, with tattoos and tollopesque approach to grooming.

Apparently I don't look like a mum of three. I definitely am and wonder what a mum of three should look like?

Isn't a mum of three completely normal? Half the parents I know have 3DC.

Seems that I was at least a 9.

Oh well, that explains why the ex hated me so much for being 'a weird freak' - he'd heard that it was something that was looked down on.

Twat.

My boss birthed 2/3 children at home, breastfed them all, co-slept...then sent them to boarding schools

I think it’s odd breastfeeding is still seen as a statement to some and not the natural next step after child bearing!

Same boss also hunts, drives a BMW etc etc

You sure they didn't mean "crusty"? When I was a teen the vegan/wearing hand knitted clothes/sling carrying/generally green leaning folk were known as "crusties"!

What a load of bitchy, nasty shite. I hate the whole naming of tribes thing- it's almost always derogatory.

Crunchy, Hippy, Townie, Chav, Charva, Ned, Yummy-Mummy....

All vile.

In truth, we all just pick the bits that suit us. I did extended breastfeeding and used a sling but eat meat and used disposable nappies. Who cares!

Crunchy is an American term for a hippie mum who eats granola, hence the term. Don't think it's an insult just a description of being an earth mother ..

I used to think it was crispy ...

and correlated with dreadlocks.

I'm never quite sure where the assumption comes in that it's all or nothing with any of this stuff.

I breastfeed. Sometimes use a ring sling, I've got a lovely pram too.... I like vaccinations. I use washable nappies & wipes but disposable over night. I make a lot of our food from scratch because I like cooking .

I don't co-sleep, although if the baby is really poorly they so seem to end up in my bed (maybe once a month). I love a good routine but maybe that's because it seems to suit my kids.

They are crusties around here.

Countfosco

3 kids definitely above average round my way (naice SE commuter town). Lots of onlys because parents want to afford private school.

Think if people say you don't look like you've got 3 kids it's a compliment, means you look good (time for make up/hair, clothing that isn't athleisure, exercise) as opposed to looking a bit run ragged.

RedRec I think I meant crusties not crispies ...

I fit some aspects (sling wearing, don't use time out, cloth nappy and wipes) but being adopters we FF, and it's not as safe to cosleep if you do so we didn't.
I didn't know home baking counted! I like a good home bake.
But I also have a job, medicate my DS with ADHD, pay for help (cleaner, ironing, respite care for DS).

Oh and I make granola but the DCs prefer shreddies.

There are nun tribes though. Perhaps she just thought you fitted a different one.
I have worked in several areas over the years and each one seems to have different mum tribe types. Of course there are exceptions but if an earth mother type finds herself in an area where all the other mums are opposite or vice versa it can be an issue.
I have experience of this. Not personally but through work.

Use it to judge the name caller. Ask them what they think it means.

Most of the terms used to group women as stereotypes have negative connotations in some way. Ask them how they feel about perpetuating this.

@NewName73, just easy for me to remember as I am surrounded by the buggers where I live

Most of the terms used to group women as stereotypes have negative connotations in some way. Ask them how they feel about perpetuating this

This.

Fucking misogynistic and designed to put women in their place.

I guess I'm a crunchy mummy too! I've never heard that term before though. I also wear normal clothes and try to do my hair and makeup. Oh and I also work.