Too Blessed To Be Stressed

If You're Light You're Alright

If You're Brown You Can Stick Around

If You're Black Step Back

As an African-American racism is something that I am familiar with. In Elementary I went to a predominately Caucasian school. During those years of Elementary I did not see skin color. I responded to how a person treated me. It wasn't until I entered into middle school that I was exposed to racism-where I actually attended a majority African-American school. In middle school we were grouped based upon intelligence, meaning all "smart" students had most of their classes together while all "special" students were in the same class. I was grouped with the "smart students" but I was one of few African-American students in those classes. Often my classmates did not want to work with me during group assignments causing the few African-American students to always work together. Also during test our teacher would constantly stand by us to make sure we were not cheating as if we weren't smart enough to actually be in those classes. This made me feel uncomfortable and unwanted. I begin to purposely fail so that I could be demoted to "regular" classes and be around other African-American students. When I was placed into those classes the African-American students actually picked on me and did not accept me because they felt that I was "acting white". I could not understand and with encouragement and support from my mother, father, and grandmother I begin to own my smarts again. I realized that it wasn't me but it was actually the bullies that had issues within themselves. No matter if I was smart or dumb they would find a reason to pick at me. For these reason I do not believe in "identical grouping" I believe that groups should be a mixture of intelligence and learning styles so that students may learn from each other.

A Natural Disaster

In 2008 Haiti experienced a horrific hurricane, not fully recovering from its damages, Haiti was then struck by a earthquake in January 2010. Among the many building that came collapsing down were schools, an important stable to the citizen. Education was viewed as a way to a better life for Haitians.Where would the students go to school? Who would teach them? Two of many important questions that ranged through Haiti. Although education is important it was no longer a priority. Many children along with their families were preoccupied with finding food and shelter even work to make it through such tough times. As teachers were being located and student records recovered Haiti begin to slowly piece together their education system. Some students were sent outside the country to go to other schools as they awaited for their own schools to be repaired, teachers held class and taught in any place that was available, tuition were lowered for the very few schools that received minimal damage after the earthquake.

More on the recovering of schools in Haiti:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/may/31/haiti-earthquakes-schools-trauma
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/19/haiti-needs-schools-who-i_n_468287.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/17/opinion/17tue1.html

Breast Milk is the Best Milk

 The 2nd most question I was asked during my pregnancy was "Are you going to breast feed?"

     I knew from the moment I found out that I wanted to breast feed my baby. Even though I had heard many stories of how painful it would be I stuck to my guns when it came to breast feeding. I looked at breast feeding as a way to bond with my child as well as giving my baby the best milk I could possibly give.
     Because my baby girl was born premature the nurses encouraged me to breast feed. Not only did the breast milk help her gain weight it also improved her immune system.
     There are many benefits for both mother and child when a woman chooses to breastfeed. Human milk is custom-made for babies, with all the right nutrients and in the right amounts. There is no guesswork involved & of course it is FREE!!!
     Here are just a few of the benefits babies stand to gain from the breastfeeding relationship: less gas, diarrhea, and constipation, higher IQ, less risk of childhood obesity and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The rewards of breastfeeding are often overlooked when it comes to mom. Breastfeeding for mom promotes uterine contractions after childbirth and reduces bleeding which leads to a quick recover as well as promotes weight loss. It is also convenient and saves time.

Breastfeeding in Africa

When breastfeeding mother's have to be careful about what they eat and drink because it can be passed to the baby through the breat milk. We are all aware of the AIDS epidemic in Africa. This epidemic could threaten the number of mother that choose to breatfeed becaue the virus can be transmitted through breastmilk. HIV-positive mothers may find it difficult to cope with the constraints of replacement feeding, in terms of cost, workload and time, and with the additional health care needs of non-breastfed infants.

aditional resource on breastfeeding:

http://www.breastfeeding.com/

My 1st Child

January 23rd,2011 I found out that I was carrying precious cargo. I was overwhelmed with joy and nervous all at the same time. I eagerly made an appointment and awaited to hear the heart beat. Throughout my pregnancy I experienced several difficulties from high blood pressure to diabetes along with the usual "morning sickness". I learned quickly that pregnancy wasn't all peaches and creme. To stablize my blood pressure I was put on medication and had to watch what I ate for my diabetes. In my last trimester I was diagnosed with preeclampsia!!! July 29th,2011 I went to the doctor for a regular check-up...I ended up being sent to labor and delivery due to extremely high blood pressure. I was put on bed rest the entire weekend. This was my first pregnancy I didnt know what to do nor what to expect. I immediately called my mom and significant other. After an entire weekend of being hooked up to IV's and being constantly poked with needles I finally went into labor Monday August 1,2011. I woke up that morning in pain. It felt like something was pushing on my bowels and I had the urge to use the restroom. I had no clue that the cramps I had throughout the night were actually contractions!!! By the time the nurse inserted a "cat" to relieve my bladder I had dialted 10cm and it was time to push. Everything happened so quickly I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that I was actually about to give birth to my baby girl, after all I was only 32weeks pregnant and she wasn't due until Sept 21st. But there was no turning back it was time for action. As my mom held my left leg and my guy held the right one I recall pushing with all that I had and before I knew it my little lovebug had entered into this world at 11:36am weighing 3lbs 6oz and 16 3/4 inches long. Tears of joy instantly begin to roll down my cheeks as I heard her little cries. I just had to see her to make sure she had 10 little fingers and 10 little toes. Because she was premature my baby was sent to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where she stayed for 2weeks. It hurt me to know I had just given birth but would be leaving the hospital without my baby. For those 2weeks I visited her every day making sure I made it to her feeding and bath time. After 14days of waiting we finally got to bring our blessing home and I am enjoying each day of motherhood.

Cape Town, South Africa: Mother's to be are encourgaed to have a natural birth. The use of an epidural is rare. Expecting moms are to tune in with their bodies and allow labor and delievery to be a process of nature. "Active Birth: "Active birth enables a labouring woman to respond naturally and instinctively to her birthing process and to make appropriate choices. Women are encouraged to remain mobile and upright and to adopt the position of their choice during labour and birth and unnecessary restrictions and procedures are minimised. Fundamentally it is an attitude of respect and support for the labouring woman and her family." "-http://activebirth.za.org/