Emerging women

 Creative rainbow mama nearing completion...and I am getting back into gear to write her book.

So many women have done my Crazy Woman creative exercises - and I never had - so this is her! If you haven't heard the talk I did on the World's Biggest Summit last year about Honouring your Crazy Woman you can find it over on The Happy Womb 

Private view

Been busy painting...all still in process but nearing completion...

creative rainbow mama emerging

Cherry blossom moon

Crazy woman emerging

peacock feathers

PR- o crastination

I am in avoidance. I HATE promoting my stuff. Yet needs must when you publish your own work.

Writing PR does not come naturally to me. You try and be all bright and breezy and it turns out sounding fake, chummy and desperate. How do you sell your own creations? How to put a fair price on them? Know the value of them? When I can see its flaws and not its glory - I know every word in it, I have read it a hundred times over, and know every fact. How to see its freshness and gifts? How to know how it might honestly be received... and who might really need it?

So what I really want to write is this...

Look - I don't know if this book is good or not - what I do know is I have given it every ounce of my energy, a lot of research, an open heart, an honest sharing of my journey and a lot of really helpful resources to follow up.

And it might be just what you're looking for - it could, in the words of one, very sweet reviewer - change your life. I sincerely hope so.

But really I'm terrified that you'll hate it, that you'll find the lurking mistakes that I overlooked, the fragments of sentences that Microsoft Word sneered at, facts that are disputable... and then you'll judge me harshly, sneer at me, hate me, call a fatwa...

Here, for you, stranger, is my heart on a plate - please buy it and pay me fairly - know that I do not want to take money from you - that I hate to deal with money, to ask for it - but I must pay for the privilege of two days a week creative time, which I have promised to use to support my family. I have taken a risk and followed my heart, my deepest dream - to write a book - rather than to write safe articles which will sell to mainstream media, or do copy writing jobs that numb my brain to pay the bills. I want to offer you more and more money off, to know just the way to entice you to buy it... but in the end I play in a marketplace where prices are already decided - and the post service will probably make more from each copy than I will.

But this is PR - I cannot say any of this, anything really real. So I have to pretend that none of this is true. I have to pretend that it is the book you have most wanted in your entire life, that it is perfect, desirable - and find just the right words to make you buy it/ review it/ stock it.

What I dearly hope it that you will hold it close, that it will open parts of your mind to your body and soul that you never really understood. That it will become a treasured tome that you will be glad to have as a companion on your journey.

But what do I know? I am just a writer mama - though at times like this I wonder why? What was so bad about being JUST a mama?

I love...

I love...peacocks, writing, the tea house, homemade cake, caramel, baby curls, circles, painting with my fingers, turquoise, Nina Simone, islands, the sea, white doves in flight, cherry trees in blossom, dark chocolate with orange, kissing squidgy flesh, fragrant roses, hot baths, conkers, circuses, stirring bubbling saucepans, herb gardens, wild windy days, rockpooling, picnics, the moon, weeping willows, punting down the Cam, cookery programmes, holding hands,  fresh herb tea, melted cheese, being in flow, poetry, goddess soul sisters, blue against orange, red against magenta, walking round gardens, the British museum.

Flora Bowley

I am inspired by... artists, the sea, wide open spaces, churches and temples, a capella singing, vibrant colour, gorgeous photographs, Thailand and Japan.

Izumi Omori - from Slippery Jacks 

I collect... sea shells, pine cones, round stones, sea glass, conkers, seasonal flowers, autumn leaves, art and craft materials, empty seed packets, cookery books... OK most books!, colourful necklaces, scarves, plants for my garden, pens, spirals, circles, blue pottery, oriental images with gold embossing, bright skirts

Do check out more of what I love on Pinterest!
http://pinterest.com/dreamingaloudnt/

Do share yours!

When it all goes right

This past few days has been so extraordinarily wonderful, that I feel called to do a mid week, extended joy pockets, to give up my gratitude to the universe.

But first, a disclaimer. What I am about to say, as far as the gods of retribution and cosmic playfulness are concerned, is not true. None of it. Ye gods who snigger into your beards as you hear mere mortals confidently tell their friends that their child is sleeping through the night/ not tantruming any more... or in my case... weaned!

Yes, (I'll whisper very quietly). I think we're done. After 8 months of on again off again wanting to be finished breastfeeding. My lactational career has come to a close.  We are both as ready as we can be. And it's been reasonably fine.(AWFUL, HIDEOUS - ye gods - do you hear me ?!)  

So on Saturday night, when the older kiddies were having a sleep over at the grandparents, I got my first full night's sleep in months. Oh my goodness I felt human the next morning! And could see why people enjoy parenting!! (WHEN WILL THIS CHILD SLEEP OH GODS?!)

The doors seem to be opening for my little book. In so many places - places to sell it and big people who are willing to share it with their people, and magazines willing to review. I am amazed/ humbled/ grateful... BUT WILL IT SELL?

This morning I was gifted, by some dear friends, with a place on a one day food writing course with Hugo Arnold, at the Ballymaloe Cookery School - home to Darina Allen and Rachel Allen (just next door to the Pink House). It's this Saturday - if anyone out there harbours a secret dream to be the next Nigella - as I do - why not join me - I know there's a couple more places available. 

It have been out in the garden, planting up our bank with nasturtiums, strawberries, monbretia,  fuschia and elder. Surrounded by bobbing tiny tom daffodils, peeping primroses and dainty wood anemones.

And of course painting. Did I tell you quite how much I love painting?

But shh! Don't tell the gods. It's our little secret!

What I was doing, when I should have been doing something else!

Two days ago I should have been tidying our pit - sorry, house -  before the cleaner came,so she could find a surface to clean... but instead I did this!

Yesterday I should have been doing PR for the book...but instead I did this!

Every spare moment -  you will find me painting.

I drag the girls along, they play the drums, chase each other round the tea house, wash my brushes... so I can do this...

What should you have been doing this week? And what did you do instead?

Mama Bashing

Welcome to the February 2012 Carnival of Natural Parenting: Respectful Interactions With Other Parents

This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Code Name: Mama and Hobo Mama. This month our participants have focused on how we can communicate with other parents compassionately.
***

One of the things I find hardest on-line is the levels of judgement and competitive mama-ing I have witnessed: in forums, on blogs...

I call it mama-bashing.

I was gobsmacked the first time I witnessed it. It was like a forest fire. Women around the UK were obviously sat glued to the ensuing battle, their comments flying in thick and fast. Feverish anger, name calling, finger pointing, reputation smearing, judgements left, right and centre.

Mama-bashing… the online equivalent to stoning.

I felt sick and shaken.

And do every time since that I have witnessed it.

I have seen it just as often in the natural parenting blogosphere as the mainstream. And it cuts me to the core.

I have never been much good in conflict situations.

Mama-bashing  is like a playground fight. The sides gather, drawn by a controversial opinion – often genuine, sometimes trollish. If our children were involved in such vicious behaviour, we would not find it acceptable.

But instead because smacking is right or wrong, or breastfeeding needs to happen to this or that. Because sugar/ school/ doctors are right… or wrong (given the forum any of the above can be true… or not!)

Differences it seems are not acceptable.

There is good… and bad. And woe betide the person who pokes their head above the wrong parapet to speak their truth, to venture a difference of opinion, to challenge the status quo. Or even to state point blank that they tried this… and it did not work. Or circumstances made things this way for them.

Behind the scenes, in private Facebook groups, by text message and in person, there is baiting, bitching, shock, glee, tears, deep hurt…

This is my least favourite bit of human beings. Especially women folk. The anonymity of blogging brings out the worst of it.

And so, I take this opportunity to request an end to mama-bashing. An end to public humiliation, judgement and hurt. An end to stoning the bad woman. To ask that we see the vulnerable mother before the opinion. The woman muddling through under the cloak of certainty. To embrace the whole gamut of peoples’ personalities, experiences, situations and cultures. To abstain from supreme judgement, and an acceptance that we are all, deep down, doing the best we can. And those that are not… well that is between them and social services, them and their god. Not us.

I try my utmost to ensure that it will not happen here. In all my 17 months of blogging I have had only one slightly hurtful comment, that I should go and get anti-depressants – though I know it was meant with care. A friend had a similar comment on her blog, which was not voiced so carefully.

And so I am mindful with comments- both mine and others – that the comment usually say more about the commenter than the post.

Some people find expressing their emotions or deep truths hard, some find expressing themselves in writing hard – don’t we all really? Some are communicating in a second or third language, some will be having past hurts or present guilts exercised by your words.

And, as we have discovered in our women’s group – the written word is not good for communicating tone - often hurts are no more than misunderstandings: humour or irony not interpreted.

And so whilst I respect that others choose to use their experiences with parenting choices to categorically inform others, this is not what I choose for my blog. The only thing I can know with absolute truth is my own experiences, my own ambiguous, ever shifting reality. This I speak as my truth - reclaiming my "I".

Because in the end, I do not have certainty. I cannot know that my choices are better than yours. But I can share my journey and how I have come to my choices.

As with all aspects of free speech and contraversial opinion, I risk, by speaking my mind, to be judging the judgers. I hope the message of peace in this post, is louder than the voice of war and that we might further the wonder of this online project through mindful interactions.

In the words of Anne Frank: "We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same."

***

***
Visit Code Name: Mama and Hobo Mama to find out how you can participate in the next Carnival of Natural Parenting!
Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:
(This list will be live and updated by afternoon February 14 with all the carnival links.)

• How to Respond Respectfully to Unwanted Parenting Advice and Judgment — At Natural Parents Network, Amy (of Peace 4 Parents) offers some ways to deal with parenting advice and criticism, whether it's from your mom or the grocery store clerk.
• Judgement is Natural - Just Don't Condemn — Jennifer at Hybrid Rasta Mama shared her views on why judgment is unavoidable and why the bigger issue is condemnation.
• Four Ways To Share Your Parenting Philosophy Gently — Valerie at Momma in Progress shares tips for communicating with fellow parents in a positive, peaceful manner.
• When Other Parents Disagree With You — Being an attachment parent is hard enough, but when you are Lily, aka Witch Mom, someone who does not enforce gender roles on her kid, who devalues capitalism and materialism, and instead prefers homeschooling and homesteading — you are bound to disagree with someone, somewhere!
• Mama Bashing — Lucy at Dreaming Aloud reflects on the hurt caused on the blogosphere by mama bashing and pleads for a more mindful way of dealing with differences.
• Accentuate the Positive — Joella at Fine and Fair shares how she manages interactions with the parents she encounters in her work as a Parent Coach and Substance Abuse Counselor by building trusting relationships and affirming strengths.
• The politics of mothers – keys to respectful interactions with other parents — Tara from MUMmedia offers great tips for handling the inevitable conflict of ideas and personalities in parenting/mother's groups, etc.
• Trying to build our village — Sheila at A Gift Universe tells how she went from knowing no other moms in her new town to building a real community of mothers.
• Internet Etiquette in the Mommy Wars — Shannon at The Artful Mama discusses how she handles heated topics in the "Mommy-space" online.
• Parenting with Convictions — Sarah at Parenting God's Children encourages love and support for fellow parents and their convictions.
• How To Be Respectful Despite Disagreeing On Parenting Styles... — Jenny at I'm a Full-Time Mummy shares her two cents' worth on how to have respectful interactions with other parents despite disagreeing on parenting styles.
• Public Relations — Momma Jorje touches on keeping the peace when discussing parenting styles.
• Navigating Parenting Politics — Since choosing an alternative parenting style means rejecting the mainstream, Miriam at The Other Baby Book shares a few simple tips that can help avoid hurt feelings.
• Hiding in my grace cave — Lauren at Hobo Mama wants to forget that not all parents are as respectful and tolerant as the people with whom she now surrounds herself.
• Carnival of Natural Parenting - Respectful Interactions with Other Parents — Wolfmother at Fabulous Mama Chronicles explores how her attitude has changed regarding sharing information and opinions with others and how she now chooses to keep the peace during social outings.
• Empathy and respect — Helen at zen mummy tries to find her zen in the midst of the Mummy Wars.
• Not Holier Than Thou — Amyables at Toddler in Tow muses about how she's learned to love all parents, despite differences, disagreements, and awkward conversations.
• Nonviolent Communication and Unconditional Love — Wendylori at High Needs Attachment reflects on the choice to not take offense as the key to honest and open communication.
• Respectful Parenting As a Way of Life — Sylvia at MaMammalia writes about using her parenting philosophy as a guide to dealing with other parents who make very different choices from her.
• Homeschooling: Why Not? — Kerry at City Kids Homeschooling shares how parents can often make homeschooling work for their family even if, at first glance, it may seem daunting.
• If You Can’t Say Something Nice… — Deb Chitwood at Living Montessori Now tells her philosophy for online and offline interactions … a philosophy based primarily on a children’s movie.
• Different Rules for Different Families — Mandy at Living Peacefully with Children discusses how differences between families affect our children, and how that can be a good thing.
• Respectful Interaction With Other Parents — Luschka at Diary of a First Child shares the ways she surrounds herself with a like-minded support network, so that she can gently advocate in her dealings with those whose opinions on parenting differ vastly from her own.
• Parenting as a mirror — Rather than discrediting others' parenting styles, Kate Wicker discusses why she tries to focus on doing right rather than being right — and why she’s also not afraid to show others that she’s a heartfelt but imperfect mama just trying to be the best mom for her family.
• The One Thing {Most} Parents Have In Common: They Try Their Best — Christine at African Babies Don't Cry finds interacting with other parents easier once she accepts that they are all just trying their best, just like her.
• Finding your mama-groove: 5 ways to eliminate judge/be judged metality — MudpieMama reveals 5 ways of thinking that have helped her find her mama-groove and better navigate tricky parenting discussions.
• Speaking Up For Those Who Can't — We've all had those moments when someone said something hurtful or insensitive, or downright rude that just shocks you to your core, and you're stunned into silence. Afterwards, you go home and think "Gosh, I wish I said…" This post by Arpita at Up Down, And Natural is for all the breastfeeding mamas who have thought "Gosh, I wish I said…"
• Thank you for your opinion — Gaby at Tmuffin shares her go-to comment when she feels like others are judging her parenting style.
• Mending — A playground conversation about jeans veers off course until a little mending by Kenna at Million Tiny Things is needed.
• The Thing You Don't Know — Kelly at Becoming Crunchy talks about what she believes is one of the most important things you can consider when it comes to compassionate communication with other parents.
• 3 Tips for Interacting with Other Parents Respectfully When You Disagree with Them — Charise at I Thought I Knew Mama shares what she has learned about respectful interactions on her parenting journey.
• Peacefully Keeping My Cool: Quotes from Ana — How do you keep your cool? Ana from Pandamoly shares some of her favorite retorts and conversation starters when her Parenting Ethos comes into question.
• Kind Matters — Carrie at Love Notes Mama discusses how she strives to be the type of person she'd want to meet.
• Doing it my way but respecting your highway. — Terri from Child of the Nature Isle is determined to walk with her family on the road less travelled whether you like it or not!
• Saying "I'm Right and You're Wrong" Seldom Does Much To Improve Your Cause... — Kat at Loving {Almost} Every Moment writes about how living by example motivates her actions and interactions with others.
• Have another kid and you won't care — Cassie of There's a Pickle in My Life, after having her second child, knows exactly how to respond to opposing advice.
• Ten Tips to Communicate Respectfully, Even When You Disagree — What if disagreements with our partners, our children or even complete strangers ultimately led to more harmony and deeper connections? They can! Dionna at Code Name: Mama shares ten tips to strengthen our relationships in the midst of conflict.
• A Little Light Conversation — Zoie at TouchstoneZ explains why respect needs to be given to every parent unconditionally.
• Why I used to hide the formula box — Laura at Pug in the Kitchen finally talks about how judgement between parents changed her views on how she handles differences in parenting.
• Assumptions — Nada at minimomist discusses how not everyone is able to nurse, physically, mentally, or emotionally.
• Shushing Your Inner Judgey McJudgerson — Jenn at Monkey Butt Junction knows that judging others is easy to do, but recognizing that we all parent from different perspectives takes work.
• Respectfully Interacting with Others Online — Lani at Boobie Time Blog discusses the importance of remaining respectful behind the disguise of the internet.
• Presumption of Good Will — Why — and how — Crunchy Con Mommy is going to try to assume the best of people she disagrees with on important issues.
• Being Gracious with Parenting Advice — Tips for giving and receiving parenting advice with grace from Lisa at My World Edenwild.
• Explain, Smile, Escape — Don't know what to do when you're confronted by another parent who disagrees with you? Amy at Anktangle shares a story from her life along with a helpful method for navigating these types of tricky situations (complete with a handy flow chart!).
• Balancing Cultures and Choices — Dulce de leche discusses the challenges of walking the tightrope between generations while balancing cultural and family ties.
• Linky - Parenting Peacefully with Social Media — Hannabert's Mom discusses parenting in a social media world.

Painting in flow

I have been shaking in excited anticipation for weeks.

Losing my painting virginity again after such a long period of celibacy feels exciting, not so scary.
I know I am in good hands with Flora Bowley... when the student is ready...

And she is the teacher for me. Her paintings speak to my soul - her use of colour, her imagery, her approach.

Flora with her paintings - borrowed with gratitude from her website 

http://florabowley.typepad.com

The first painting class she has us dripping liquid acrylics onto canvas and smearing with our fingers - no mind, just letting it flow.

How good this feels after my A-Level art training which removed any sensuality, and intuition from art. We had to plan and re-plan our art, until we were ready to commit the perfect finished work to canvas, by which time it had lost any spark, any life, its dynamism and freshness. We all fought this, perhaps me most strongly, but we had to show lots of preparatory material - that was the place for experimentation, not the finished piece - experimentation was for private, and ironically for the examiner - not for the wall and the viewer.

It was a bit like making love by numbers.

But here I am now. The music which I prepared for births with, flowing around me - flutes and whale song, swooping female voices singing out of the depths, de profundis. This is where all art comes from - words, paintings, music...

All my paints are lined up, pristine and inviting, with names to make you moist with anticipation - irridescent gold, shimmering copper, quinacridone maroon, phthalo blue, vermilion...

And so as my blood flows, my cycle has shifted to its intuitive stage, the painting starts - brave, intuitive, sensual painting - no sketches in sight, just me, the music, the paint and the canvas. The sensuous feel of paint between my fingers. The vivid colours dancing together as they conquer the white space. Swirling, joyous, dripping, flowing with the music. Flowing with the life force within me.

Why has it been so long? So long to break through myself, my blocks, my fears, my limitations, to reach the colour, the flow, the expression I have yearned for?  I could cry this feels so good!

Full moon rising

February 7th is this month's full moon. And I am looking forward to consciously celebrating. Tomorrow I will be taking part in Miranda Gray's Womb Blessing which I am looking forward to. And I will be heading outside and absorbing her glowing, positive, renewing, sustaining light.

Last month I was so deluged under bad nights' sleep, editing Moon Time and miserable winter weather that I didn't get out in the moonlight, the first time in many moons. And so perhaps for that reason alone, or all of them conbined, my cycle has realigned itself, mother moon having a gentle joke at my expense about my very limited human understanding, and the irony that I have just written an "authoritative" book on her unknowable mystery. So here I am, with my greater knowledge and awareness than ever before, with my beautiful moon dial mandala having just arrived (these will be available from the Happy Womb very soon), and for the first time since my cycles returned, not knowing where in my cycle I am!

Moon Dial Mandala - Created by Zoe Shekinah
http://www.earthlightcollective.com/silver.htm

But that is a true reflection of my state of creativity right now. I did a lot of extra work on Moon Time, so now I am in the situation of awaiting a proof once more, holding off on promoting it till I have a release date. Wating, still waiting to hear back from publishers on the Creative Rainbow Mama book, and wanting to be getting cracking on it again, doing more research for it, more digesting and dreaming. And yet I know that I need to allow enough energy for the final birthing pushes of Moon Time before immersing myself in the deep challenge of shaping all the content that I have for Creative Rainbow Mamas. I am between birth and gestation. I am planning a women's workshop with a dear friend for April, and organising promoting JUNO at the Irish Homebirth Conference, where I am hoping to interview Ina May Gaskin in person - wahoo!

This on top of two sick girlies, and going from nearly weaned to exclusively breastfeeding our two-year-old. I am so excited to have so many creative dreams coming to fruition these next few months. My painting course starts today. I am literally vibrating with excitement about all these strands of my life. But my body is not sure if it is coming or going. I am being creative, then being a full time mama, pulled back and forth like the tide between the twin moons of my creative babies and my flesh babies.

Where are you at dear reader, as the moon becomes her fullest? Do you find that your cycles respond so acutely to your life? Are you celebrating the full moon this month? 

Creative calls for submission

Spring is springing inside and out. 


There are a number of exciting collaborative projects which I have been invited to be part of, and which I want to share with you. 


So dust off your creative juices - if you paint or draw, write poems, reflections or essays, if you take photographs...why not get involved too? This is your chance to share your work.


Whether you're an established creative, looking for a wider audience, or a novice who has been waiting for just the "right" moment to put your stuff out there - then this could be it. 


The six collaborative projects below are looking for material on: breastfeeding, mothering, birth, pregnancy, soul work, book reviews, nature wisdom, transition culture ideas, the sacred feminine...


None offer monetary payment. All offer the opportunity to get your work out to a wider audience. Many offer a copy of the book you are included in. Many offer the opportunity to give to the greater good by supporting charities and grassroots co operatives.

There are three books on motherhood, two diaries and a website:

Musings on Mothering - La Leche League GB anthology


Deadline: end February 2012. 
Contact: Teika Bellamy teika@mothersmilkbooks.com
The book will consist of words and art (in any kind of medium) and I plan to divide the contributions into these six areas:

1. Pregnancy and Birth

On the hopes, dreams and anxieties of the mother-in-waiting, and the life-changing experience of birth.

2. Babymoon

On life with your amazing newborn.

3. Everyday life

On the realities and rewards of mothering through breastfeeding, and beyond.

4. Extraordinary times

On powerful times, both happy and sad.

5. Remembering mothers
On nostalgia, childhood and mummy cuddles.

6. Thanking fathers

Or anyone who has supported a breastfeeding mother.

As the title of the anthology suggests, any kind of thoughts, musings, or personal stories about mothering would be welcome.

See here for submission guidelines 

Motherfunker's Guide to Pregnancy and Birth

Deadline: end February 2012. 
Contact: Paula Clery - aka Motherfunker - onelittlebuffalogirl@hotmail.com

A non-preachy, technicoloured, artistic and pretty. A realistic snapshot of pregnancy and birth for mamas and papas to be, with a good dose of nitty gritty as well as the beautiful, happy, pretty side of things. One for the ravers, goths, punks, bon-viveurs, hippies and indie types that your Miriam Stoppard type preggie book is not going to appeal to. There's already some beautiful hippy books for hippy-minded maidens like myself but not a lot going on for the wider 'alternative' audience.

I want to acknowledge the fact that a woman having a baby in this day and age is likely to have had a more colourful past than in days gone by. I want to acknowledge that a pregnant mother is not just some blank slate incubator, but a real live person with experiences! Good, bad and everything in between.

I want to acknowledge and talk about how women feel about being pregnant after:

- having an abortion

- taking drugs or frequently drinking a lot of alcohol 

- being raped or sexually abused

- having an affair or relationship problems

- being declared infertile

- having an amazing job

- being adopted 

- experimenting with sexuality - bisexual or lesbian experiences

- self harming or having anorexia/ bulimia

- having suffered only miscarriages so far

I want the book to be able to talk about the stuff you wouldn't dream of discussing at antenatal classes. Stuff that you couldn't share easily with newly made mummy friends. Stuff you would feel uncomfortable discussing with your midwife. See here for submission guidelines  

Two diaries which I love - I have contributed to Earth Pathways for 3 years now. This will be my first approach to We'Moon.

We'Moon Diary 2014
Topic: Radical Balance - see their site for a full imagining of possible approaches to this topic.
Deadline: Sept 1 2012 
Contact: sequoia@wemoon.ws
What they're looking for: 
Eight pieces of writing maximum. 

Prose is limited to 350 words;
Poetry should not exceed 35 lines (12 words/line). 

Art and photos too

See here for submission guidelines  

Compensation: for each published piece of art or writing is two complimentary We’Moon datebooks.
All published contributors will get a 40% discount off the purchase price of We’Moon 2014 products

Earth Pathways Diary 2014
Deadline: Oct 31st 2012 
Contact: rowan3@talktalk.net

UK and Irish residents only
What they're looking for:  

5 pieces of creative work, 250-300 words, art and photos too on celebrating our connection to earth, spirit, community and seasons See here for submission guidelines 
Compensation: 1 diary per piece accepted

And two of my own projects:


How to be a Creative Rainbow Mama
For which I am looking for any final creative mamas to share their experiences of balancing creating and mama-hood. 
For the questionnaire, see here


And  finally, The Happy Womb
See here for submission guidelines 

The Happy Womb welcomes YOU, with all your wonderful talents and contributions! We accept guest posts on:

• herbs for women’s healing
• finding your own wisdom
• fertility issues
• pregnancy and birth
• women’s circles
• creativity
• book reviews
• poetry
• art
• photography
• images of craft

Posts should be no longer than 1000 words and have accompanying images. Please familiarise yourself with our style and content before submitting. Please note that whilst we share ideas and wisdom we do not push “one right way” nor judge people who choose differently. Please ensure that you post is written in compassion and respect for all those who might read it, wherever on their life journey they might be.We also accept creative work on the theme of womanhood which will be featured in our gallery space: