I Love You From The Floor To The Cloud

He said so and I know he does.

He loves me from the floor to the cloud because he can’t see what is below the floor and over “the cloud”.

Did I mention I´m feeling good today?

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What I’ve Learned From Indigenous Mothers

Living in the modern capital city of a developing country has allowed me to see traditional moms from many indigenous cultures, as well as middle class city dwellers, very westernized families who live like in the US, and even those who hire a nanny to take care of the kids 24/7.

What I’ve Learned From Indigenous Moms

Among the indigenous mamas I’ve met, there seem to be two main trends: those who use lots of physical punishment so that the child learns to obey their parents without a second thought, but also those very relaxed who let their kids wonder around, get dirty, help with adult chores, and even explore dangerous activities.

I’ve learned from both, and I don’t mean I use physical punishment at all.

Traditional and indigenous moms who use physical punishment seem to provide their kids with lots of physical contact during their first years of life. They cosleep, practice extended breastfeeding and wear their babies until toddlerhood. When the kids are older they set very clear limits on what children can do, otherwise they get punished. This has to be with safety issues but also with household or work chores, and of course with obeying their parents. These kids seem to be very attached to their parents anyway.

I don’t endorse any kind of punishment, but I still can learn from these moms in what I consider to be a good mothering attitude: lots of physical contact and clear limits.

On the other hand, I love to meet the kind of indigenous mothers who don’t rely on punishment. The city is turning to be a bad place to meet them, but those families newly arrived keep some very relaxed attitudes. When in the countryside, the kids are allowed to do all what is safe, and even what to my eyes would not be that safe. These moms are so relaxed that they don’t care if their kids make a mess or a lot of noise. Their environment is also so flexible that a spill here or there means nothing. The kids are allowed to help and they usually are what a western mind would consider “very well behaved”.

I’d like to learn to be this relaxed and open for child messes and noise, although I still want some control over safety issues. I’m an urban mom anyways!

What about you? Do you wish you’d be more relaxed? What is the perfect balance between freedom, safety and limits?

Shots From Mindo, Ecuador

Last week we went to Mindo for 2 days. Mindo is a small city located to the North-West from Quito, and is known for the high biodiversity of its surroundings.

Here some shots from the trip:

The day before the trip we stayed with my dad in the North of Quito, so we could leave early in the morning from the bus terminal.

We took a bus called “San Pedrito” #19

Eating Tilapia (St. Peter’s Fish) in Mindo

Playing with bamboo sticks, near the river

Carlos were trying to fly so we can go faster

After about 3 hours walking uphill, we reached our goal. However, it was too late to ride the tarabita.

A tarabita is a basket hanging from a rope bridge, like a primitive cable car.

Back to the hostel

Night walk looking for frogs, insects and other little animals of the forest

The next day we were the first to ride the tarabita

View from the tarabita

The small city, to the left

This patient dragonfly waited until I was done taking a good picture of her

Cocoons, in the butterfly farm

Loved these luxurious cocoons!

Inside the butterfly farm

Resting in the hammock. There were lots of hummingbirds, that I failed to picture. Too quick for my lense!

Back in Quito, waiting for the bus

Next time I’m bringing a mosquito net!

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