I know I can be a helicopter mom. When E was born, something overcame me and I felt the need to shield her from ALL the bad. I know that’s somewhat normal, none of us want our kids to get hurt. Though I know my mom didn’t want me to get hurt and I was allowed to roam the neighborhood adult-free at 5. I try not to be a super hoverer and let E be as free as possible, but when it comes to being in a situation where she could be kidnapped, I’m pretty much a chopper.

I know we live in nice neighborhood and I should feel ok about letting my somewhat responsible 7 year old outside without an adult- but it’s not happening. We live in a somewhat safe culture, nothing at all like the girls in Mexico or other foreign countries, but reading news stories about girls being taken 2 houses down from their home, taken from a mall, or predators using technology to lure kids in- makes me want to lock her in her room until she’s 30. OK, maybe not that drastic 😉

I often wonder if by not allowing her to roam free, if I am hindering her independence or if I’m being smart by not taking that risk? I’m not sure I know what age I should/would start letting her roam stores without being in eyesight, or run at the park without me 30 feet away, or walk to her friends house by herself. I was attacked when I was 12, so I know that is where most of my fear originates. I would never want her to go through what I did. But I know I have to let go at some point- which is terrifying!

This post was inspired by the novel Prayers for the Stolen by Jennifer Clement. Ladydi was grew up in rural Mexico, where being a girl is a dangerous thing. She and other girls were “made ugly” to keep protect them from drug traffickers and criminal groups. Join From Left to Write on February 18 we discuss Prayers for the Stolen. As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.

I prefer taking herbs over drugs in most cases. So when I was writing my birth plan, I wanted everything to be all natural. I had heard amazing things about Mountain Meadow Herbs, so I contacted them to try out their awesome New Mommy Gift Set. Of course things didn’t go as planned, and I ended up with a C-section, so I wasn’t able to fully review the kit. But from what I did get to try, I’m extremely thrilled with!
The Mountain Meadow Herbs New Mommy Gift Set comes with After-Pain Relief, Maxi-Milk, andHerbal Calcium. The After-Pain Relief is meant to be used immediately after birth. Since I ended up with a c-section, I wasn’t able to use the extract- but I plan on trying it the next time I have cramps. The extract is meant to naturally ease after birth and menstrual discomfort by relaxing muscle tension, easing spasms and cramping. You cannot use the extract with anesthesia, so I didn’t want to risk taking it after the C-section in case of complications.

The After-Pain Relief is made with: Cramp Bark, Black Haw Bark, Organic St. John’s Wort Herb, Organic Yarrow Leaf & Flower, Vegetable Glycerine, Distilled Water and approximately 5% Organic Grain Alcohol. A 2 oz. bottle retails for $18.27.

The Maxi-Milk is amazing! After a bad case of mastitis, my milk supply dropped. I began taking the Maxi-Milk and after several big doses my milk began to come back in! You can take the extract several times a day to ensure a healthy milk supply and it doesn’t make you engorged. The Maxi-Milk is made with Organic Marshmallow Root, Organic Blessed Thistle Herb, Organic Anise Seed, Organic Stinging Nettle Leaf, Organic Peppermint Leaf, Organic Red Raspberry Leaf, Organic Chaste Tree Berry, Organic Milk Thistle Seed, Organic Lemon Balm Leaf, Organic Alfalfa Leaf, Organic Fennel Seed, Organic Skullcap Herb, Vegetable Glycerine, Distilled Water and approximately 5% Organic Grain Alcohol. The organic ingredients give the breastmilk a richer, higher quality. A 2 oz. bottle retails for $18.27.

The Herbal Calcium can be used by anyone- including teething babies! I can’t wait to see how the extract helps when little man begins to teeth. Herbal Calcium is a plant based calcium that helps restore bone and joint integrity. It can also be given to infants to help encourage sleep. The Herbal Calcium is made with Organic Stinging Nettle Leaf, Organic Horsetail Herb, Organic Oatstraw Herb, Organic Cornsilk Herb, Organic Chamomile Flower, Organic Skullcap Herb, Vegetable Glycerine and Distilled Water. A 2 oz. bottle retails for $18.27.

The New Mommy Gift Set is available online at Mountain Meadow Herbs for $49.33. Be sure to follow them on Facebook!

Sample Disclosure: The opinions expressed above are honest, accurate, and not encouraged anyway by monetary donations. A sample free of charge was received from said company, as stated within the editorial.