From the 15th until the 30th of April, The Peaceful Housewife is hosting a ‘Natural Parenting Blog Party‘! The party serves as a way to discover new blogs to follow and get to know each other, all while helping to get the word about natural parenting out to more people. Join in by clicking the image above and reading the details at The Peaceful Housewife blog! =)
How many children do you have, and how old are they?
My husband and I have one daughter, Lilyana, who is 2 & 1/2 years old.
My husband and I have one daughter, Lilyana, who is 2 & 1/2 years old.
Do you have a partner, or are you a single parent?
Married! ;) I have a sweet and goofy hubby. He’s my best friend, but that doesn’t mean that we never get on each other’s nerves. Mostly we laugh at each other and adore our daughter, but in our free time we try to get creative with our family activities and we’re hoping to take our daughter on a mini canoe trip this summer. =)
Married! ;) I have a sweet and goofy hubby. He’s my best friend, but that doesn’t mean that we never get on each other’s nerves. Mostly we laugh at each other and adore our daughter, but in our free time we try to get creative with our family activities and we’re hoping to take our daughter on a mini canoe trip this summer. =)
What are your “hot button” parenting issues?
Wow…well, I’m really put off by spanking and I just don’t think it’s necessary. I love nursing, but I wouldn’t say that I get angry if another mom chooses not to. Now that I think about it though, I really get upset when I see parents teaching their children intolerance and allowing them to become bullies…that really upsets me.
Wow…well, I’m really put off by spanking and I just don’t think it’s necessary. I love nursing, but I wouldn’t say that I get angry if another mom chooses not to. Now that I think about it though, I really get upset when I see parents teaching their children intolerance and allowing them to become bullies…that really upsets me.
Have you made any parenting choices that you didn’t think you would make before you were a parent, i.e. cloth diapering a child when you had previously thought it was disgusting?
I’ve nursed my daughter a lot longer than I ever thought I would. She’s two and a half now and I’m still nursing her. Most people are really understanding, but my family sometimes looks at me like I’m nuts. The pressure was worst around the time my daughter turned 6 months. It seems that most people agree there’s no need to nurse after that point so I was pushed a lot to stop and told that it was “inappropriate”. I think everyone has pretty much given up the fight now…lol. Also, I’ve always been a modest person, but during my daughter’s first 3 months I nursed her in public often. I never felt like it was wrong, I just knew that I was providing for my daughter and consoling her when she was upset. It wasn’t until she was about 9 months that it became difficult to maintain privacy in public…you know when they start climbing all over you like you’re a mountain…lol.
I’ve nursed my daughter a lot longer than I ever thought I would. She’s two and a half now and I’m still nursing her. Most people are really understanding, but my family sometimes looks at me like I’m nuts. The pressure was worst around the time my daughter turned 6 months. It seems that most people agree there’s no need to nurse after that point so I was pushed a lot to stop and told that it was “inappropriate”. I think everyone has pretty much given up the fight now…lol. Also, I’ve always been a modest person, but during my daughter’s first 3 months I nursed her in public often. I never felt like it was wrong, I just knew that I was providing for my daughter and consoling her when she was upset. It wasn’t until she was about 9 months that it became difficult to maintain privacy in public…you know when they start climbing all over you like you’re a mountain…lol.
Is there one book or person in particular that’s heavily influenced your parenting choices?
I don’t think that I can cite any one person or resource. I did a lot of research and I really admired Native American traditions and knew that I wanted to do things the natural way…the spiritual way. I would have to say that my admiration for indigenous culture was my main influencer.
I don’t think that I can cite any one person or resource. I did a lot of research and I really admired Native American traditions and knew that I wanted to do things the natural way…the spiritual way. I would have to say that my admiration for indigenous culture was my main influencer.
If you had to describe each of your children using only one word, what word would you use?
To describe my daughter using one word…hmmm…explorer. My daughter loves to discover new things and find out how they work or what makes them tick. She’s independent and loves to work things out on her own. I couldn’t be prouder. =)
To describe my daughter using one word…hmmm…explorer. My daughter loves to discover new things and find out how they work or what makes them tick. She’s independent and loves to work things out on her own. I couldn’t be prouder. =)
Is there one parenting decision that you regret more than others and wish you could change?
I regret the quality time that I missed with my daughter while I was in college last fall. It was only a couple of months and it was worth it in some ways, but I just wish that I wouldn’t have had so much to do and would have just been able to relax and snuggle with her instead of being busy and stressed.
I regret the quality time that I missed with my daughter while I was in college last fall. It was only a couple of months and it was worth it in some ways, but I just wish that I wouldn’t have had so much to do and would have just been able to relax and snuggle with her instead of being busy and stressed.
Is there an area of your parenting you wish you were better at?
Hmmm…I wish that I knew more of the kids games, nursery rhymes and action games. I always have to look them up online and it feels ridiculous that I don’t know all the “motherly” stuff. My mother kept herself pretty busy when we were young, plus the stress of my parents divorce…I think we missed out on a lot of quality time. Something that I don’t want my daughter to ever experience…all the more reason I feel bad about those busy months in college.
Hmmm…I wish that I knew more of the kids games, nursery rhymes and action games. I always have to look them up online and it feels ridiculous that I don’t know all the “motherly” stuff. My mother kept herself pretty busy when we were young, plus the stress of my parents divorce…I think we missed out on a lot of quality time. Something that I don’t want my daughter to ever experience…all the more reason I feel bad about those busy months in college.
Now for the fun questions – is there one particular food or type of food that you could eat every day?
Tacos! My favorite food…American style, barbacoa, carne asada, al pastor…I could go on forever! ;)
Tacos! My favorite food…American style, barbacoa, carne asada, al pastor…I could go on forever! ;)
Vanilla ice cream or chocolate?
Vanilla! I like to keep it simple…but my ultimate treat is a vanilla sunday with hot caramel and colored sprinkles. It brings me back. :)
Vanilla! I like to keep it simple…but my ultimate treat is a vanilla sunday with hot caramel and colored sprinkles. It brings me back. :)
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Me time. It’s not easy to take and I have a lot of guilt about it, but nothing beats chilling out with a good book, going for a long drive or just snuggling up with my family and letting the housework go for a minute.
Me time. It’s not easy to take and I have a lot of guilt about it, but nothing beats chilling out with a good book, going for a long drive or just snuggling up with my family and letting the housework go for a minute.
If you could be part of any television show, which show would it be?
Hmmm…interesting question. I would have to say that I would love to do a dinner party episode with the Neely’s. My husband and I could rub elbows with Pat and Gina. They are too funny and absolutely adorable!
Hmmm…interesting question. I would have to say that I would love to do a dinner party episode with the Neely’s. My husband and I could rub elbows with Pat and Gina. They are too funny and absolutely adorable!
© 2011, Chantilly Patiño. All rights reserved.
LOVED reading more about you and your family. Muchos abrazos, amiga y gracias por participar con nosotros. <3
Gracias por invitarme! I can’t wait to read yours. <3
Found you through the blog party link up. Your daughter has a beautiful name!
Thank you. :) Haha…I laughed when I saw your name…it’s very memorable. We’re already connected on Twitter! ;) Well, now I’m following you back girl! Thanks for stopping back Diane. I’m glad we found each other. ♥
Stopping by from the blog party. I too love your daughter’s name. I am thrilled to have found your blog. I am Puerto Rican and Italian and my husband is African and Sri Lankin. We are most definately a multicultural mash up! I am following you now and thrilled to read more from you!
Jennifer at Hybrid Rasta Mama
http://hybridrastamama.blogspot.com
Thank you Jennifer! Wow! That’s quite a combination! A ‘multicultural’ family to say the least! I’m glad you’ll be participating in the carnival and I can’t wait to read more for your blog too! =) Great to meet you amiga!
Hello fellow blogger! Your blog has such a unique perspective! As a woefully monocultural and monolingual family I look forward to reading your posts!
Thanks so much Paige. I love to hear that monocultural/monolingual families are open to adding diversity to their family’s activities! That’s one of the reasons why I started this blog! I want everyone to feel comfy in a multicultural world! I hope you’ll join us for the multicultural blog carnival and read some of the awesome posts that will be featured! I’ll be posting it on May 2nd! =)