Kinda Crunchy Mom

What is a "crunchy mom"? I had no idea what I was reading when people would use that term on social media posts. It just seemed like such a random thing to say, and was popping up everywhere in my social feeds. So to the Google machine I went!

This was top definition on the search: "According to Urban Dictionary, 'Crunchy Mom' is defined as, A member of an increasingly growing group of moms who are neo-hippies. They generally believe (for varying reasons) that there is something bad or less beneficial about buying mainstream products or doing other common activities in the mainstream way." See here. I realized how I kind of related to this, although not fully. Which lead to more research, which I found that there is no one solid answer to the question "What is a crunchy mom?".

The over-all theme I found though, was this;

A "crunchy mom" questions the norm. Whether that be her methods of child rearing, birth, medication, food, or even clothing choices. Everything is fair game to be challenged as "the right thing to do" but rather it just being the normal thing.

Now, I question EVERYTHING! But, for a long time, that was all it was. No extra research, no action. This past year+ that has changed. Now I don't just question everything, but I research it too, and man did that open up a whole new world. Like I had no idea just how bad the average candle or body care product is for us until now! I'm talking things that cause cancer, infertility, miscarriage, fetal abnormalities, and more.

Obviously for anyone these are bad. But as a mom it scared the hell out of me. These things were in not only my own products, but also my child's! So I went on a quest to find safe alternatives for my whole family, and share about it on my Instagram page.

Why only a "kinda crunchy" mom?

Sure I've switched out basically all our personal care and household products for safe ones. We also mainly eat homecooked meals. But that doesn't mean I'm off raising chickens to butcher, batter, cook, and serve as chicken nuggets for my toddler. Nope, I'm off to superstore to buy the gluten free ones they have all boxed up and ready. Now I'm not saying I wouldn't love to have a farm to do that on, but that's beside the point. Honestly chuckling at myself while I write that, because I seriously wish we could.

Another thing is, I love buying local, handmade items whenever possible, but there are some things that I just naturally head to the mainstream stores for. And as much as I love our local coffee shops, it's simply easier for me to go through a drive through for some coffee while my toddler plays safely strapped into his car seat.

So what is the point of this article?

Society always feels the need for labels, and I just wanted to break this one down to just what it really is. It doesn't matter if you're a "crunchy mom", "silky mom", or any other "type" of mom. The main thing is you are showing up for your children in the best way you know how. In the way YOU feel most confident in. That is not a thing to look down on.

Does this mean that there is never a reason to change? No. There always needs to be room to adjust. Every child is different, and you are learning what that means right along with them. Our needs as parents change just as often as our child's needs do. So make adjustments. Learn and grow. Rather than falling under a label, just be their mama. Be YOU.

I hope you enjoyed this article. Please share with a fellow mama in your life. Thank you for reading!