Earth Mother: A definition.

[spidermama]

I've been Mumsnetting for 2/3 weeks but so far I've only seen 'Earth Mother' being used as a derogatory term.

It's used to imply a smug, self-satisfied woman who judges others.

However, according to Collins English Dictionary an earth mother is ....

1. a female Goddess considered as the source of fertility and life.
2. the Earth, personified .... or ....
3. a fecund or sensual woman.

Mmm Hmmmm!
I can understand it's not everyone's cup of tea but I, for one, unashamedly aspire to be an earth mother.

expat, just noticed your comment about b/feeding. Know you were very freaked out about this before so good for you for having a go this time (Apologies if that sounds horribly patronising-not meant to be.) Wonder if MN made you rethink?

B/feeding and real nappies do indeed save you loads of money. All the more to spend on your good self. That's definitely one of the ways I look at it.

Yeah, MN has given me more confidence that maybe it'll work this time. I was also told I could NOT express bf from the get go by the midwives the first time round and it was feed her at the breast or formula feed - DD didn't latch on properly and painfully chewed my nipples. I know now - thanks to MN - that that isn't necessarily true. Will probably have more questions as this one's due date nears.

But it will also be a big relief not having to stump up £8-£10/week on formula.

Not to mention the cost of the disposable nappies.

Really does make life a lot simpler,knowing that you can just go out on a whim without planning and preparing. I like maintaining that (illusion of)freedom and spontaneity!

Even expressing so DH could help w/feedings would be better than formula preparations, IMO.

Here's hoping this one does better. The midwife said her first never latched on properly but her second did in the delivery room and never looked back.

I had to express from about 10 days as we were moving house and dh was away so I had to get on.

In interest of EM status,I have an Isis hand pump that you (or anyone else for that matter)are welcome to. My breastfeeding days are over. and

I'd be happy to take it off your hands. After this one, my bf'ing days will also be over.

I'll CAT you ok?

Babyonboard. You what?
I'm utterly mystified by your post.

Run to the therapist. You're in urgent need of help.

Note she never came back,spider. I didn't get it either.

i would take being called earth mother as a compliment (as long as i was wearing a bra at the time ) and have two pairs of birkenstocks which incidently papillion i bought online direct from germany for a bargain price !!

I'm NOT an earth mother. I didn't even TRY breastfeeding

I know I made all the right choices for me, and my baby is much adored and very content.

Then again, I admit, I occasionally feel I should have tried it. Same applies to many of the things I consider an "earth mother" would do. I don't regret my choices, wouldn't change a thing if I had the time again, but I do sometimes wish I was different. Wish I had the selflessness and stamina to breastfeed etc. I just don't - no big deal. I admire "earth mothers", but not those who brag about it, that's sooooo sad!!!

What I mean is, I think the term is sometimes used in a derogatory way, I think this might be because other women perhaps feel guilty or secretly jealous. I have moments of feeling both, I'm not afraid to admit it.

Intersting to know that you never even tried b/feeding mogwai. Had a feeling that you were wavering .....Hope you are enjoying your new arrival!
As you (and I,and many others) have said we all have elements of EM and then areas of non EM. My sister is here at presentand it is really irritating me that her (small) children arte still up,whingeing and griping. Mine were packed off to bed at 7:30,no excuses.
Despite the fact that she has a king sized bed in an enormous room,she has set up a travel cot and two little beds at either side of the bed in order to accommodate every eventuality. (Kids arew 18 mths and 4 today btw. Mine are 4 and 12 mths.)

WYF???

We've already had an altercation about parenting methods.

PS I'm very selfish, with zero stamoina. Precisely why I decided to b/feed!
(Also my aesthetic sensibilitieswere offended by the prospect of those horrid placcy bottles.)

Over in my neck of the woods we use the term "granola mom"

Lunachic Have not spoken for awhile, nice to ´see´you.

Just a suggestion but maybe we should try to be Earth Adults re BabyonBoard. Obviously she has felt offended, but it was not on this thread so lets stay beautiful and let it go with the wind.

moondog...agree re placcy bottles. spoils the whole chanel nail polish look

Agreed about plastic bottles moondog. Not keen on latex teets either whatever they're attatched to.

When I was growing up we had a smallholding and grew own veg, chickens for eggs and goats for milk and cheese, my mum made all my clothes and we didn't have a telly and it was the 70s so everything in the house was brown. But some of my mums friends (from her womens group) were hardcore.

There was one woman called Fran who had two kids called Poppy and Tarzan (I kid you not) who used to look down on our un vegan lifestyle. She had the long grizzled hair and smelled of patchouli and cooked entirely inedible food while listening to fiddly folk music. Her kids were sadists and bullies but according to her they were just being individuals. She also had the longest nipples I have ever seen on a woman, just like my pet goat .

I react against my childhood by not allowing animals in my house, buying my clothes at the supermarket and only eating readymeals. But I still get people calling me an earth mother because I breastfed and I am deeply incurably scruffy.

I have always wanted some birkenstoks. I may buy some right now.

And I would buy a moon cup but I think it is ethically indefensible to spend £20 on 20p worth of silicone rubber.

IS the the thread where we can admit that we have listened to Steeleye Span and the Levellers and Christy Moore then?

I would say you're in safe hands taratula.

Trceratops- love your post about childhood in the 70's. I believe 'ROFL' is the appropriate parlance. I also knew some dysfunctional and sadistic children of hippies.

Disagree about Mooncup though. I bet if you tot up all you'd spend on pads or tampons it compares quite well.

Right I have got the shoes, they were much cheaper from germany. Can I join now?

I will buy a mooncup eventually but I won't need it for a while as I am pg.

triceratops.

have we come up with a complete definition yet?

I think so far its:

wears birkenstocks (or other sandle that looks like it should be comfy but probably isn't)
breastfeeds
cooks inedible food
likes animals
is vegetarian, or preferably vegan/macro biotic
eats organic
wears ill fitting tie dyed trousers
is a bit of a hippy
wears patchouli oil
drinks herbal tea
is very nice.

is that right? only 3 out of 10 for me then. Must dig out my patchouli oil - used to wear it in my goth days.

Hey! I still use patchouli oil in some of my perfume mixes. I don't hold a scent well, so for day to day use I blend oils and mix them a carrier base of jojoba oil. Patchouli smells fab on me.

But I don't wear Birkenstocks. I used to when I lived in a warmer climate, though. An Austrian boyfriend introduced me to them way back in the 80s.

Not a veg, either.

I would add that the earth mother would

have a good sex life
not be a fan of a brazillian
have more than one child if possible
know about grains
never say no to a hug
not be afraid to call herself a feminist