The Unrealistic Expectations of Being a Crunchy Mom
In recent years, parents have been introduced to the rise of a new trend – the Crunchy Mom. The term “crunchy mom” was Coined from the term “granola.” Crunchy Moms are often associated with natural living, holistic medication and natural birth. No meds! No preservatives! ZIP! While this lifestyle is not bad, it can feel unnatainable for the everyday mom. This blog will not shame or make ANYONE feel like they are crazy for taking this path. We will attempt to find some relatability and common ground with all ya’ll mom’s who are on the struggle bus when it comes to being “crunchy.”
Natural Birth and Breastfeeding
One cornerstone of Crunchy parenting is the emphasis on natural birth and breastfeeding. While many agree that these have benefits, there are other factors to consider. The Crunchy Mom movement sometimes doesn’t account for mothers with medical complication. Medical complications at birth can hinder breastfeeding. Some moms did not count on having a c-section and only wanted a natural birth. It’s heartbreaking for them becasue they planned for the crunchy mom ideal. The pressure to be crunchy can cause feelings of inadequacy and guilt.
Organic and Homemade Everything
Crunchy Moms are often associated with an organic lifestyle, from food to clothing. Exclusively organic food can be very expensive! Some moms do not have the means to provide these. Some mom’s work and cannot keep up with the demands of making homamade food everyday of the week. Meal planning is often time-consuming. Some parents would rather spend that time playing with their kids. Crunchy moms might say that making meals with kids can be bonding. Let’s face it, that is a difficult task! Most kids struggle to follow the directions and what could have been a nice memory turns out to be a frustrating night. Mommy’s want to come home some nights to snuggle, play or watch a movie with their little on and that’s ok.
Cloth Diapering and Elimination Communication
Another trend is to use cloth diapers and elimination communication. Elimination communication is a method that encourages early toilet training. While environmentally friendly, cloth diapering requires extra effort and time. Washing cloth diapers can be very time consuming. Although laundry can pile up, this is one particular piece of laundry you would NOT want to pile up. That means you will presumably wash all day. I can see this working witrh 1 baby but once more mom has to balance and desice if this is ideal for her. Elimination communication may not be suitable for all families or children. Elimnation commuincation entails reading your infants cues, sitting them on the potty, and cleaning some messes if mom didnt make it to the potty in time. It is a natural wait to transition independent potty use and essentially go diaper free. Although less money spent on diapers is great, this is not practical for everyone. Some mom’s are recovering from postpartum or getting ready to go back to work. They can’t rely on daycare or nanny’s to follow through with elimination communication.
Screen-Free Parenting
The Crunchy parenting philosophy often advocates for minimal screen time. It promotes hands-on activities and outdoor play instead. Reducing screen time is beneficial but the strict screen-free lifestyle can become impractical. The world is increasingly more dependent on technology. Computers are now used for homework instead of pen and paper. Classes and even baby learning is done via screen. There should definitely be a balance but sometimes mom and dad need that distraction. Simple tasks such as laundry, dishes and cooking can be done during screen time.
Attachment Parenting
Attachment parenting is a fundamental aspect of the Crunchy Mom lifestyle. It is most depicted by baby wearing, consistent physcial touch and sometimes co-sleeping. Once again, attachment parenting is not bad at all! However, not all parents can thrive under these conditions. Work seems to be the biggest hurdle in achiving this parenting style. Working parents often live a combination of this style and needing to leave baby with a babysitter or daycare. There are also babies who don’t necessarily adhere to the attachment style. Every baby is different. This can make mom and dad feel like failures if it does not work out.
Home Birth and Unassisted Childbirth
Some Crunchy Moms advocate for home births or even unassisted childbirth. Both options are used as a rejection of the medicalization of childbirth. While these choices can be empowering for some, they may not be safe or suitable for everyone. There are unfortunate events that occur during birth. C-sections, excessive bleeding, and so many other things. These circumstance can make women feel guilty, like a failure and disillusioned. So many mothers share their sadness over their medicated birth when compared to a Crunchy Mom.
Holistic Medicine and Vaccine Hesitancy
The Crunchy Mom movement often embraces holistic medicine and sometimes fosters vaccine hesitancy. I believe every parent has the right to make the decision of whether or not they want to vaccinate. It is up to the parent. However, the Crunchy mom style promotes a more natural approach. Some parents are simply not comfortable with it and some are more comfortable with a combination of medical and natural. Some people have a hard time finding the natural resources or lack support.
Is the “Crunchy” Mom Lifestyle For You?
In conclusion, the Crunchy Mom lifestyle can offer valuable insights into healthy living. However, the movement must be approached with a sense of flexibility and understanding. The pressure to conform to this one single way of parenting can be too much. The constant exposure to it can cause mother’s and father’s to feel guilty about the choices they have made. Every family has a different dynamic and not everyone can adjust to the crunchy life. If this is the case for many of you, I encourage you to implement the tools of crunchy life I a balanced manner. No parent is perfect and we can all use some new tools and support for changes we want to make.
If you’re struggling with the expectations and confusion regarding what you’re supposed to be as a mom, we can be a support! We can provide therapy to anyone within the state of California and our office in Temecula. Reach out to us and we can set you up with a clinician to process your new changes.
