Celebrating Mothers and Motherhood is not a recent phenomenon. Far back in ancient cultures holidays and rituals were held to honour and celebrate Goddesses such as Rhea, Cybele and Gaia. These magnificent Goddesses embodied the many faces of mothers and motherhood - our fierce protectiveness and loyalty, our nurturance and love, our creativity and resourcefulness. They were honoured and worshipped and their power and wisdom respected and procured.

In the 1850's activists such as Anna Reeves Jarvis organised the Mothers' Works Days in America as a way of drawing attention to human rights issues. Later women such as Julia Ward Howe in response to the carnage of the American Civil War, worked to establish a day of peace. It was a day to honour peace, mothers and womanhood. A day where Mothers would demand disarmament and voice their protest at their son's being sent to war. Her Mother's Day Proclamation was published in 1870 and sadly is relevant still today.

For some years after, Mother's Day was celebrated as a day of peace and action - a day where women protested against the atrocities of war and other human rights issues. Mother's Day signified women's fight for social and economic justice. It was a day of political action and voice.

Since that time Mother's Day has been exploited and undermined to become an avenue for marketing and has relegated women to the role of consumer. Today we buy gifts and send flowers to honour our mothers and forget the invaluable and ongoing contribution of women to social policy and change. I shudder to think what women such as Anna and Julia would think of today's celebrations!

With a little creativity and willingness we can reclaim Mother's Day for its original purpose and celebrate the amazing and untiring political contribution of women. We can celebrate the vision and work of our grandmothers and beyond as well as those who continue their efforts today. Yes, mothers are to be cherished and nurtured but we also make a valuable and vital contribution to social change.

Warm wishes
Susan

I would like to dedicate this Mother's Day(just passed) to the enormous efforts of the women who work tirelessly to ensure a positive and healthy future for Home Birth in this country. To all of you and those who support your efforts, I say a heartfelt Thank You.

Natural anti-stress tips for busy mums
By Lisa Guy

Are you feeling tired and stressed out? Are you relying on coffee and sugary foods to give you a much-needed boost to get through the day?

Being a mum sometimes can be one of the most demanding jobs on the planet. Between changing nappies, packing lunch boxes, breastfeeding, dropping kids off to school, doing house work, driving kids to soccer, and then having to go to work …….you don't have a second to yourself, no wonder you're feeling tired and stressed.

Well read on because I'm going to give you some great naturopathic tips to help you feel calmer and more energetic, using herbs, nourishing foods and specific nutrients.

read the whole article here Natural anti-stress tips for busy mums

This month's recipes

Mums nourishing porridge

Mum's power drink

Mums calming herbal tea

and why not....

Visit the recipes section of our Forum?

Got a recipe you'd like to share? Login to your user account and add it in our articles section!

Rad Pads Giveaway
Like to give cloth menstrual pads a try? Rad Pads are offering a starter pack consisting of four mixed colour pads to one lucky winner this month. Rad-pads are cloth menstrual, incontinence and pants liner pads which are great for your health, wealth and of course the environment. They come in coloured cotton or organic options. These pads are so comfortable and really help put you more in touch with your natural cycles. For more information visit www.radpads.com.au or www.radiant-women.com. To enter send an email to susan@naturalparenting.com.au with Radpads in the subject heading. Entries close 31st May 2010.

Baby Sign Kits
Baby Signs is the world's leading and original baby sign language program. Created by childhood development experts and supported by over 25 years of research, Baby Signs give parents a simple way to begin communicating with their baby before they can talk.

Life as a parent is complicated. Baby Signs makes it simple by understanding what is on your baby's mind. It's as simple as waving bye-bye. www,BabySignsAustralia.com.au

You can win one of three Baby Signs Complete Signing Kits valued at $59.00. Baby Signs Complete Signing Kit give you all the resources you need to begin signing with your baby. Including 4 board books, 2 DVD's, magnetised reference flipchart and Parents guide.

Or one of five E-learning packages valued at $19.50. Begin signing straight away with this simple and fun E-Learning program. Perfect for busy mums. Includes downloadable book, online dictionary, flashcards and more.

To enter send an email to susan@naturalparenting.com.au with Baby Signs in the subject heading. Entries close 31st May 2010.

Winners:
Congratulations to Lucy Mills and Louise Burr winners of Lisa Guy's new book, MY GOODNESS. Also congratulations to Su Foster winner of the A'Kin Baby Products Package. Enjoy!

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Forum News
FOur forum software was updated this week with a little more complications than we had hoped for...

Apologies for those people that were online when the forum was acting a little strangely.

Everything should be more or less back to normal by the end of this week.

(1)Book a three month banner campaign now and get one month completely FREE!
Now is the time to take advantage of our great advertising offer.

Book a three month header or side banner and receive your fourth month completely free!

Banners show throughout all the home pages and forum exposing your product to thousands of potential new customers everyday!

For further information or to book your banner campaign email advertising-np@naturalparenting.com.au or phone 0411 703 374. Offer ends 30th May 2010.