So…. what exactly is an Elephant Mama? My working definition is mothers raising their kids with love, wisdom, humor, and intention. We’ll refine the idea together as we get to know each other on this blog, but one thing I intend is to make this a judgment free zone for all mamas.
Google defines judgment as “a misfortune or calamity viewed as a divine punishment.” Elephant Mamas are NOT about that! No misfortune. No calamity. No punishment–no matter how divine! This world is tough enough without us judging each other. While we’re on the topic of judgment, don’t judge me if this site doesn’t have its kinks worked out yet–particularly if you’re viewing it on your phone!
This is a place for all mamas – staying at home, working away from home and everything in between; young and old; with kids of all ages. I want this to be a place of comfort on both your best day and your worst day. I’m fine with Papas too – it just doesn’t happen to be my specialty!
I’m sixteen years into this parenting journey and know that love, wisdom, hu
mor, and intention have all played a part in it. So… let’s go love, learn, laugh, and live together! This site is brand new so I’m starting with this post and a few reviews of books that helped me along the way. Some future posts in the pipeline are titled It’s Just a Phase, Opting Out, When Fear Threatens to Overtake, and Finding Balance.
What would you like to hear about? Post your ideas, questions, and suggestions in the comments below. That way, I’ll know someone is listening too!!
Beyond your friends and family (who all have lots of well-intended suggestions!), there are plenty of other parenting resources including books, blogs, classes, and even TV shows. I’ve dipped my toe in all of them, but one book stands out above and beyond all the rest.
Glennon Doyle Melton, the author of Carry On, Warrior: The Power of Embracing Your Beautiful, Messy Life, was one of my inspirations for this blog. Sometime last year, I decided I wanted to start blogging again. I let it roll around in my head for a while and then just as I was ready to take the plunge, I read an article that was titled something along the lines of The Last Thing the World Needs is Another Mommy Blogger. It had all kinds of negative things to say and made me wonder why I would jump into the fray of what they portrayed as a judgmental and cutthroat world.
This book and Glennon’s website 
The entire title for today’s book review is Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit-Disorder. That is a mouthful and, to be clear, I don’t think you need to go research Nature Deficit Disorder to understand this book. Don’t worry it isn’t a new diagnosis for parents to worry about–it’s a term coined by author Richard Louv. 
Books have been a huge part of keeping my sanity along the parenting journey. Some have taught me things like how to get a willful child to sleep or to eat something besides Goldfish crackers while others have been purely an escape. This book fits into the latter category and literally made me laugh out loud.
