A Few Thoughts on "Away We Go"

Away We Go is a fun little movie about a couple who is expecting their first baby and travels around the U.S. and Canada visiting family and friends to try to figure out where to move so they will be close to someone. On this little journey, they run across a character played by Maggie Gyllenhaal who lives in a "continuum" family house and is the biggest hippie I've ever seen on screen. So here are a few of my comments to her lifestyle:

1.) Really funny exaggeration of what being a "Crunchy Momma"* can mean.

Crunchy Momma: Mother who supports homebirth, breastfeeding, baby wearing, cloth diapering, co-sleeping, gentle discipline, etc. One who questions the established medical authority, tends to be a vegetarian and/or prepare all organic foods.

2.) Doulas and midwifes are wonderful if you research them and it's the right choice for your family. Hospital births are not the devil and are sometimes necessary even for those who don't want to go that route. It doesn't mean that children born in hospitals are screwy.

3.) Who the hell breastfeeds someone else's kid without permission? LoL.

4.) Co sleeping (allowing your children to sleep in bed with you, normally for the first year, but occasionally for a while after that) has some good research behind it if it's done well. A lot of countries do it. Having sex in front of your children is just too much for me. That being said, Doc and I do not plan on hiding our nakedness from our children. I think up to a certain age, it's okay. I still plan on kissing my husband and cuddling with him around them. But there will be no sex in front of children.

Basically this character is a great example of what is wrong with some of the green movement. First of all, there are always extremist crazies. However, I don't think the point is to be "holier than thou" because you recycle more or do something else that is more eco-friendly. It's like Christians who think because they go to church 8 times a week they have a front row seat in heaven. Being completely "green" or "holistic" is not really affordable for most of us. I think the best we can do is decide what we feel comfortable doing, make an effort at least every now and then, and share great ideas when we have them or stumble across them.

Anyway, it was a good movie. It's an odd type of humor but if you get a chance to watch it, you should :)