L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas!'s topics - tribe.net

Park Chill Time

2008-04-16T17:43:36Z

Hey Mamas....

We finally made the move to Santa Monica a while ago and we're stoked to be out of the hot ass Valley!
I stay at home with my girls (Maggie 5yo and Chloe 1yo) and am looking for other ladies to chill with during the week.
Any SM/Venice mamas need some adult convo / sanity / hoopin' / outdoor lunchin'?

Peace!,
Amber

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 4 replies

Babysitter, anyone? South Bay, preferably

2007-09-28T19:58:14Z

Hey mamas and papas,

I'd really love to find a babysitter who's available primarily on the weekends... I'm tired of having to ask family and friends to help out, and I think they're tired of it too. And ummm... I wont' even SAY how much I hate asking the ex-husband to help out a little extra. Sheesh.

Can you recommend anyone? I live in Lomita, which is near Torrance... but if you know of someone in another part of town, I'd consider them as well.

Thanks. xoxo

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 0 replies

school and booster groups

2007-09-23T17:13:13Z

Hello fellow parents,
Our daughter, Liberty, goes to a public school here in LA (Part of the much criticized LAUSD). We, the husband and I, are for the most part very happy with the school (there have been problems- like too many subs when Liberty’s kindergarten teacher was out on maternity leave and a very nice but completely clueless principle- but a few calls to the proper people fix everything). But like all schools, there is never enough money, so we have started a booster group for the school. With the help of a fiscal sponsor we have the non profit 501 © 3 and fortunately I have years of experience running non profits and raising funds via grants and such. And being that we started the group with no input from the school (when we- a group of 8 parents and the husband and I- we still had the clueless principal and started the group so we wouldn’t have to deal with her. Luckily the new principal had a booster group at her old school that was using the same fiscal sponsor as we are)

My question is to any of you who have a parent started/parents run booster group (not PTA who have their own set of rules and all) at your kid’s school:
How do you deal with the administration?
Do you give the teachers and principal any decision making positions on your boards?
And any advice out side of these questions you can share would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Dorit

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 0 replies

CHICKEN POX party anyone?

2007-09-20T15:27:13Z

Hey y'all....

my girls are now 3 and 7, and I haven't heard of anyone in their schools (smaller schools--they're montessori) having chicken pox.... have any of your kids had it? I know it may sound crazy to some of you, but I'd really like my kids to get it before they're 10 or so. I really don't want to have to vaccinate them for it, but if they don't have it by 10 or 11, I feel I might have to.

I'd love to keep in touch about this, if any of our children get it....

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 3 replies

Introduce yourself, mamas and papas! :)

2007-08-09T05:51:28Z

If you haven't already posted an introduction on the "Who are you?" post, then please go ahead and introduce yourself! We all love to hear about our fellow Offbeat Mamas/Papas... and getting to know each other online gives us incentive to meet each other in person... cause we all love to meet other crazy parents! :)

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 10 replies

potluck?

2007-08-05T19:43:02Z

hey mamas!
our family is planning to move to the westside in the next few months & i'd love to connect with some mamas out there.
looking to find playmates for my 4 year old & some adult conversation for ME!
i was thinking maybe a potluck or a b.y.o. picnic would be a fun way to get to know some hotmamas!
anyone interested?

peace,
amber

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 7 replies

free and easy way to help homeless children

2007-08-02T22:22:12Z

www.railwaychildren-friends.com/email.asp

place this web search-engine in place of your old one and raise 10p per search

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 0 replies

Who are you?

2007-01-31T23:07:04Z

When you join the tribe, please tell us where you live (what area of LA), how many kids you have, and their ages! And anything else you feel like adding, that we wouldn't see easily on your Tribe profile!

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 26 replies

Santa time, ugh!

2006-12-07T03:51:32Z

Hey mamas and papas,

So, Santa time is approaching. I've never been truly comfortable with the whole charade, but my husband thinks I'm nonsensical about it.

This year, things are changing for us... my husband and I are separating. And the finances are quite tough at the moment, even without the impending separation! Which means we don't have much money for Xmas presents, so we're going to be toning it down big-time this year. Not that we were insane with it before, but ya know... there would be a couple of presents from Mummy & Daddy, plus a few presents from Santa, as well as the stocking.

My girls are 2 and 6, so my 6-yr old is pretty up on the Santa phenomenon and thinks, "If it's too expensive for Mummy/Daddy, then Santa can get it for me!" Ugh!

How do you explain to a 6-year old that Santa CAN'T afford it?

She's not a greedy wee girl, but ya know--it's Christmas! It's easy for the wee ones to get all wrapped up in their Christmas lists.

Care to share your experience, or thoughts?

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 3 replies

Wellness workshop Pasadena

2006-11-03T15:36:50Z

HI, I haven't posted much, but thought this might be of interest.
please pass along .

FREE Workshop at:

Grassroots Natural Market

1119 Fair Oaks Avenue
South Pasadena, CA 91030

A Natural Approach to Childhood Illnesses
with Wellness Nurse Wiep de Vries, RN

Tuesday, November 7
7:15 PM - 9:30 PM

RSVP: 626-798-1592
lachildhood@cs.com

Sandwiches available - $5

The Value of Fevers
The Power of the Immune-System
Herbal & Homeopathic Remedies

New research is showing that a child's long-term health may be better served
when parents, rather than suppressing illness with medicines, allow their
child to go through common childhood illnesses, while supporting the healing
process.

To overcome and complete a dis-ease is a deep, deep learning process - one
that brings about the renewal and maturation of the physical, mental and
emotional systems of the child.

Come and learn about natural ways to prevent illness, sooth and reduce
symptoms, and strengthen your child's ability to overcome illness.

Enjoy our demonstrations of foot baths, steam inhalations, wraps, compresses,
poultices, and learn about remedies for colds, coughs, flu, earaches, fever,
asthma, allergies and digestive disorders.

Please share this announcement with other parents and invite them along for
this valuable exploration of gentle healing approaches.
Your child will love the scent of herbs and the warmth of the hot water
bottle!

A Mother's Testimonial:

Lemons and Onions to the Rescue
I so appreciate the teachings I received in the home healthcare workshops.
Lemon wraps, mustard plasters, steam inhalations and onion poultices have served
my family in times of illness over and over again. To have practical, common
sense methods of caring for my children when they're sick has been a great
gift. I've used these applications since my children were 6 mo. and 1 ½ yrs.
old (now 9 and 11 yrs. old) and with near ten years of experience it is very
clear that nurturing an ill child or adult with the great care and attention that
these applications offer us is the richest form of healthcare I know of. I
whole-heartedly recommend this type of workshop to any parent or caregiver, new
or experienced.

~ Alisa, mother of two boys and home-schooling parent,
Costa Mesa, California

Wellness Nurse Wiep Teaches Workshops in Cooperation with the Los Angeles
Alliance for Childhood (LAAC). Visit www.lachildhood.org.

The LAAC offers referral & resource services for parents throughout the
greater Los Angeles area, and promotes natural approaches to raising children.

Wellness Workshops can be hosted by stores, schools, organizations and by
individual mothers.
Workshop information can be found at: www.wiepcare.com.

Wiep de Vries
647 Devirian Place
Altadena, CA 91001
(626) 798-1592
fax (626) 797-1709
www.lachildhood.org
lachildhood@cs.com

www.musclehealth.us

www.wiepcare.com

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 0 replies

Anyone else had sick kids for weeks/months?

2006-06-09T16:27:13Z

Geez, it seems like as soon as my kids start to get better, then they get sick again. It's maddening. It seems like we've been going around and around with illnesses since December! Ugh! Am I a bad parent? Do I not feed my kids well enough? Should I be giving them more supplements? We're going through a bottle of First Defense herbs like every other week!

Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 5 replies

Whole Children Whole Planet Expo

2006-04-22T03:32:16Z

Anyone planning on going? I want to go Sat before 2pm and if anyone is going. I'd love to meet some off the beaten path peeps!

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 4 replies

the pursuit of happiness/peace/calm

2006-03-10T16:41:05Z

I'm working full time right now, for the next 2 months or so... and whenever I'm having to work full time, and my schedule is opposite from Craig's, I feel so disjointed and lacking peace. I have a hard-enough time assessing my own needs and taking time out for myself, but when I hardly see Craig and I don't have any time off for myself, I start to go CRAZY!!! Loopy! Bonkers!!

Come March, I'll be getting laid off from my job... which I'm VERY happy about. The financial stability has been nice, but I'll be going back to being a self-employed graphics guru. My goal is to have my business (http://www.thistlegraphics.com/) do well enough that I can either keep my kids in Montessori, or homeschool them.

And then I think, AM I CRAZY? I have been fiercely independent since I was 17 years old... I lived alone for most of the years before I met Craig... I have always needed a lot of solo-time to keep my sanity. And of course, motherhood does not provide lots of solo time! And I'm thinking of homeschooling? And I have to figure out how to work at home, with 2 kids around. Is this even possible? How am I going to manage my time?

There MUST be a way to figure this life out. There must be a way for me to find my balance, and be able to be a good mother, spend time by myself, spend time with my husband. Is there a way? How do you all figure it out? How do you find your balance?

Craig and I agreed last night that when he came home from work (on Sunday night, yes) that I would go out to a coffee shop and read or knit or whatever. But then once everything was done (kids to bed, etc.) it was 8:00 and I didn't want to leave the house! So I ended up crying, feeling lost, not knowing what I wanted, etc. I ended up having a nice evening... I read my book for a while, and then we played Scrabble. I felt like I got some alone-time, and I got some husband-time (with no friggin' TV). But it didn't come without an emotional struggle. Because I"m a dork!

How do YOU do it? How do you figure out what your needs are? How do you find your peace?

I know I need to meditate. I just don't, on a regular basis. I go through stages where I do yoga/meditate before bed, but then I'll go a month without doing anything at all.

I'm sure we all have our personal wisdoms. Please share yours! :)

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 12 replies

environmental action

2006-03-02T21:38:07Z

i don't know if any of you are interested, but i am urgeing all of you to visit the enviornmental action website and send some emails to our senators . it is quick and easy . you just read the email and sign your name at the bottom ,you can add your own comments too. they have emails about clean air . keeping our forests and so much more .

it is great for moms who want to get involved , because you can do it all from home . and they have a happy hour every once in a while in santa monica (i have never been though ).

in my opinion this is a great thing to do for our children and future generations.

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 1 reply

I started a new tribe, sexy mamas!

2006-03-01T17:37:49Z

Check it out...

http://tribes.tribe.net/sexymamas

Here's the description...

"Come one, come all, sexy mamas! You know you're sexy, don't you! You KNOW it! Work it, mama!

(A place where we can celebrate our motherhood while still celebrating our sexiness, our womanness, our relationships and/or our singleness, our fashion sense, and each other.)"

So, invite all your sexy mama friends, too.

:)

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 0 replies

Alterna schools in East LA?

2006-02-26T03:28:32Z

I looking for info, connections on alternate schools/daycare in East LA (specifically Whittier). Any recommendations?

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 0 replies

petition to change the name

2006-02-22T18:31:25Z

so whats ya think of l.a. off-the-beaten-track mamas & papas!

but i dono't want to offend. :)

papabear

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 4 replies

Making a living

2006-02-16T19:41:37Z

Hey mamas and papas...

In the "Introduce yourself" topic, I noticed that the conversation turned to the topic of how we make a living to support our families. I think this is a great topic, so I thought I'd start a new thread so we could share our stories/ideas/rants, etc...

So, I'll start...

I''m a graphic artist, and have been since 1991. I've freelanced for most of those years, but I've taken "permanent" jobs a couple of times, that lasted for a year each time before getting laid off. Craig has been in the restaurant biz since he moved here in 1999--he started as a busboy and is now a manager. He makes $42K a year, and I make $36K a year, working part time for 9 months, and full time for 3 months. And believe it or not, we're just making ends meet.

In 2001, when we had only one child, we worked almost opposite schedules, so we only needed child care for 2 mornings a week, and we both worked locally, so we managed with one car. We made a combined income of $75K/year--just like now--but our expenses were so much less! Now we have 2 kids in daycare/school, our rent is $1520 for a 2-bdrm, plus 2 car payments. Our regular monthly expenses are about $4000 a month, not including "extras". Yikes!

I'm getting laid off in March, so I'll be on unemployment... but I'm starting up my own business... http://www.thistlegraphics.com/... so, I will have until September (when unemployment runs out) to get a decent client base! But at least with me working from home, we'll be able to reduce our childcare expenses.

In 2002 when I got laid off from my last job, I started massage school (at IPSB)... I thought that doing massage would enable me to make enough money part-time, and have a schedule that worked for my family. But it ended up being more trouble than that, for not enough $$, and then when I got pregnant with Aislinn, I didn't have the energy to massage people anymore. So, I went back to graphics.

What are your brilliant ways of supporting your family?

And feel free to rant, if that's what you need to do!

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 1 reply

Welcome to new mamas and papas on the tribe

2006-01-30T19:26:16Z

Yo, mamas and papas! I noticed that we have 29 members in this tribe now! That is so friggin' cool. :)

So, I just wanted to give a shout-out to the new members! I'll post a new "Who are you?" topic so that anyone who hasn't done so already can introduce themselves! If you haven't already posted or read the introductions, check out the original "Who are you" topic!

Offbeat Mamas and Papas, unite! :)

Love
Siobhan

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 0 replies

Baby Stuff

2006-01-26T21:17:29Z

Is there anyone out there with small babies???
I have a bouncy seat (i think it's the "Aqua Bouncer") and a nice Graco high chair... Also lots of clothes... probably in the 3-12 month range... I am in Van Nuys (close to 101/405)... Let me know if anyone is interested, as I need to clear some space and will probably donate to goodwill soon... Thanx - Natalie

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 4 replies

Hangout #2?????

2006-01-21T20:33:19Z

Hey mamas, wanna plan a hangout for sometime in January? Like, Sat or Sun Jan 14th or 15th?

Whose neighbourhood this time? Outdoor park, with an indoor backup just incase of bad weather?

Heather, what was that place called in West LA where you had your kids' bday party? Do they do just hangouts as well, or do you have to book it for birthdays only? That was a fun place, and not too crazy for the little ones, like Bright Child and places like that can be.

Ideas, mamas?

And I have no intention on excluding the papas, by the way! There was some confusion over that last time. This group isn't about excluding anyone! :)

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 15 replies

Home Birth

2006-01-02T03:07:49Z

I was just wondering if any of you have had a home birth ?I realy want one but my midwife seems so flaky . I can never get a hold of her !any advice thanks
katie

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 6 replies

Baby Acid Reflux?????????

2005-12-18T16:41:03Z

Hey mamas. So, Samantha & Laura (of this tribe!) informed me yesterday that the "new thing" in the mainstream mothering culture is diagnosing babies with ACID REFLUX??????? WTF????? And doctors are actually prescribing drugs for babies who spit up and have gas?????

I'm so disgusted. What's next... Prozac for babies who cry a lot?

:(

And we wonder why there is so much ADD, ADHD, Austism, etc. in our society. Could it POSSIBLY be that our poor kids are being invaded with chemicals/drugs at such an early age?

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 3 replies

Kids learning to play piano

2005-12-18T15:40:50Z

Hey mamas.

So, we just inherited a piano from my aunt! :)

I know how to read music, and I know where the notes are on the piano, but I never learned the fingerings...

I tried to sign Fiona up for piano lessons at Torrance Parks & Rec, but by the time they let non-Torrance residents sign up, all the spots were taken. Any other ideas for affordable lessons? Or any tips on how to learn piano well enough myself so that I can just teach her? She's learning music at her Montessori, so she knows what a whole note, half note, quarter note, etc., are... and she understands scales and stuff.

Any good books or something, for how to self-teach piano, or teach piano to kids?

:)

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 4 replies

Thanks.

2005-12-13T03:09:22Z

Thank you for a lovely picnic today. I had a nice time hanging out with the Mamas who I know and a Mama I met today (Lisa). All in all, I really appreciate the beginning of some beautiful new connections and I appreciate that we are putting the effort in to make them.
Thanks again.
Heather
PS. And for those of you who didn't make it, I hope you do next time. I would really like to get to know more of my Off-the-Beaten-Track tribe mates.

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 3 replies

Pumping while sick

2005-12-12T20:40:49Z

If I pump milk while I am sick and freeze it and give it to Finn later, will she get sick? It seems the answer would be yes...but I am not sure. Anyone?
~Laura

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 4 replies

PLEASE VOTE--Sunday picnic locale

2005-12-11T17:10:47Z

So, there are 3 thoughts in my head for where to meet on Sunday...

1. Will Rogers Park... grassy areas, hiking trails... not exactly convenient for most people, but very pretty.

2. Wilson Park in Torrance... grassy areas, nice playground, free parking, close to 405.

3. Ocean Park Blvd at the beach, in Santa Monica (Moongirl's idea!)

---

Only 4 of us have said we're coming, but I'm thinking that the location was a problem? Speak your mind, mamas! :)

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 3 replies

What is your plan of life as a Mother for 2006?

2005-12-09T16:42:52Z

Hi,
Just wondering what other mom's ideas for next year.
I will plan having another baby. Hope this time will be a girl!
I'm also considering being a vegetarian..as there are so many deseases on white and red meat, that I never know what I'm eating...
and make more money!!
Keyla

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 4 replies

Post photos!

2005-12-09T16:35:38Z

Feel free to post photos of your family on the tribe! :)

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 1 reply

Wanna have a get-together?

2005-12-08T06:40:37Z

Hey mamas! So, there are 15 of us now on this tribe! How cool is that! We seem to have kids of all ages, and we live all over the place. But how about a get-together?

Perhaps a picnic on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon in December, before the holiday craziness kicks in? Like, Saturday December 10th perhaps?

What are your thoughts?

Love
Siobhan

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 6 replies

Interview with Vaccine researcher

2005-12-07T23:19:33Z

Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god...

http://www.wnho.net/jon_rappoport_researcher_interview.htm

(Thank to Bleu on the "Aware Mothers" tribe for posting this!)

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 7 replies

great gift catalog... Montessori style

2005-11-23T20:39:57Z

Hey mamas. I picked up a great catalog from Fiona's Montessori school... really great real-life kid-sized items like cheese graters, brooms/dustpans, as well as great activities that are creatively-minded, like knitting, weaving, constructive, etc... lots of wooden stuff and creative-learning.

http://www.forsmallhands.com/

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 0 replies

breastmilk

2005-11-23T19:29:51Z

Just found this article in the Beach Cities Health District newsletter...

Milk from mothers who have been breastfeeding a year or longer is richer in fat and energy than that of mothers who have been breastfeeding for a few mnths, according to a study conducted at Tel Aviv University in Israel. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that mothers exclusively breastfeed their infants up to six months of age, and that nursing for a year or more will help reduce risk for illnesses such as ear infections and childhood obesity. Researchers in Israel concluded that the caloric contribution of breast milk after prolonged breastfeeding could be attributed to the fact that the infant is fed fewer times a day, resulting in more concentrated milk.

http://www.tau.ac.il/

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 0 replies

Get updates

2005-11-20T22:16:04Z

Hey mamas. Just wanted to let you know that if you click on "Tribe Settings" (on the right side of the window), you can choose if you want to receive a daily or weekly email with any updates to this Tribe... so, you'll keep up to date on any discussions, or playdates, etc... :)

Cause it would be great if this was a Tribe where we could actually discuss stuff, and plan stuff, instead of it being yet another Tribe that we're all members of, but don't even check what's happening with it! Ya know? :) I've got plenty of those, unfortunately!

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 1 reply

Why I started this tribe

2005-11-11T18:47:37Z

Hey mamas. So, I joined a Yahoo Group a while ago, full of mothers from my area (the south bay). I thought it would be great to meet some more mothers in my area, because I'm always at the park by myself with my kids! I did indeed make a couple of good connections, and I found a great daycare for Aislinn (my 15-month old), but most of the other 70 women were not "my people." As one other groovy mama put it... I felt like a black sheep amongst all the Harper Valley PTA types! :)

So, being "off the beaten track" doesn't mean anything specific, in my mind. It just means that we think out of the box, and that may run the gamut. I personally am a natural-parenting mother who co-sleeps, doesn't vaccinate, I'm vegetarian, Liberal, desert-loving moon-dancing freakazoid... but besides all that, I just don't feel like I'm "like" most mothers that I meet, because I feel like there are many parents who just do as their told and don't think about their choices. Thank goodness for the mothers in my life (Erin, Heather, etc.) who think outside the box as well, or I'd be going koo-koo!

Whatever your lifestyle choices, mothering choices, etc... we don't all have to think the same or make the same choices... it would just be nice make connections with other mothers who THINK and don't prescribe to the Wal-Mart-shoppping, McDonald's-eating, drone-making idea of what it is to be a family.

:)

Any ideas you have for the group would be greatly appreciated!

posted in L.A. Off-the-Beaten-Track Mamas & Papas! - 0 replies