I Feel Alone Here

Hi Pricilla
First I want to say you arent alone. While I dont agree with everything you may say or do, Im not judging you for making any of the decisions you make for you or your family.
I am a firm believer in doing what is right for you and your family first. If that truly makes you happy then why question it?
I loved breast feeding but in my life, doing it for over a year just wasnt an option. Organic food is THE BEST! I love buying all natural or as close as I can get but am not strict on it. If my daughter is going to a birthday party or family function, I will not single her out or deny her something she wants.
I also started my daughter early on in academics. She is a very smart little girl, eager to learn, read, color, etc. I wanted to feed that growing mind of hers! Shes only four and can read and write her own name, she knows her entire alphabet, all her numbers up to 50. She speaks like a 10 year old sometimes.

Im just trying to point out that what works for you is whats best. Who cares what others do. For the longest time I compared myself to what others were doing and how other people lived and was very unhappy. I realized that I need to do what is right for me, my daughter and our family first.

I have read alot of responses on here and this group seems nonjudgemental and very nice. We just like to give out ideas that have worked for us in situations. Some work some dont and we are all moms/wifes/girlfriends learning by trial and error.

Feel free to talk to me about anything! Im always up for new ideas and listening!

Jenna

2 moms found this helpful

One of the greatest lessons I have learned since I have become a Mom is that you must your heart and instincts. Everything you have mentioned here is a valid and legitimate way to raise your children, if that is what feels right to you then it is the right thing for you to do. Personally, I loved wearing my son as a baby (for as long as my back could stand it) and I am a huge believer in extended breastfeeding. My son is 17 months old and still breastfeeding, and I am 23 weeks pregnant with my second. It is the right choice for both of us to continue and I dearly hope to tandem nurse my two sons when the baby is born. (Another thing that a lot of people do not consider to be a mainstream activity) I am so glad you reached out when you felt alone, parenting is wonderful but challenging and we can all use as much help and support as we can get.

1 mom found this helpful

I felt alone too for a long time. I believe in BFing until its apparent you and your child are done. I BF my son & daughter until they were 14 months & 16 months, they were done. They drink Hormone & anti-biotic free milk, I could no longer afford Organic. As much as possible, they drink water or watered down organic juice.(No High Fructose Corn Syrup stuff) I drive to Trader Joes in Orange once a week in order to buy good food for less money. I never let my kids Cry-It-Out, for godsakes they were babies, how else can they communicate their NEEDS and FEARS. I taught my kids sign-language so they wouldn't get frustrated because they couldn't tell me what they wanted. I believed in Home-Schooling, however, I'm giving public school in North Branford a chance. My son is in Kindergarten and I'm involved in the PTO, I talk with his teacher and principal, I volunteer, I plan to raise hell if need be. I have my daughter (3 yr-old) in Pre-School 2x/week, not because she needs to learn her ABC's or Numbers, but to enjoy different sceenery, different toys, and to learn how to have some friends besides her brother. If you met her you'd understand that her personality requires this type of stimulation. My kids are in Karate as well. I take my kids to accupuncture and the chiropractor...I can't stand Dr's. (oops, I may be a little more strange than most.) I'm okay with being different, because my kids are healthy, well-behaved, and happy.

They're my angels sent from heaven, God appointed me to be their parent for a reason. I'm not taking that God-given job lightly.

1 mom found this helpful

I AM WITH YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think breast milk is GOLD! I feel that personaly I would have gone to a year, but dried up at 7 months :(, but couldn't feed a child that could walk up to me and ask for milk. LOL. But I feel more that it is important to breats feed if you are comfortable with it. The feelings you have are picked up so much by your child. So if a woman feels ok with it more power to her. Why not give your child the best as long as you can or feel comfy doing so!

You are not alone! I do feel that way sometimes though. When I say something to someone about public schooling or what kinds of children the current world is trying to create I get looks like I have three heads.

1 mom found this helpful

You are so not alone! I nursed my son for 2 years, used slings as long as he'd stad it, used cloth diapers until he potty trained (when with us--7th generation or Nature Boy diapers when at daycare), he slept with us until he turned 5 and he decided to sleep in his own bedroom.

When we go grocery shopping he inadvertently shames other shoppers when he asks if he can have something, we read the list of ingredients and he says, "uh oh, it has high fructose corn syrup"! (I've seen more than one shopper's jaw drop, then they put something back on the shelves). We eat as much organic food as we can afford and once the ground thaws out I'm building a compost heap in the back and putting in an organic garden. His teachers always remark that his lunch always looks delicious--probably because it's not beige!

He goes to a pre-k program and went to daycare (no where near full time) starting at 15 months because he would walk to the front door, shake the doorknob and say "see people" over and over again, so I realized that for an only child staying home with mom and homeschooling wasn't going to cut it--for him. Schhol was the right choice for him and he is thriving there. We use a lot of homeopathic and herbal remedies, and his pediatricians always remark that they never see him outside of his annual physical.

I see advice on many of these postings that don't fit my ideals or my situation, but that doesn't mean that it's not right for someone else.

1 mom found this helpful

You're not alone in one most important sense, We are all mothers. We are all trying to do our best and support each other without judgement. We all have our own beliefs and ideas etc, but I don't think any mother would be on this sight obviously if they weren't open to other people's suggestions and advice. Like most of the responses said, It's not right or wrong, but what works best for each family. So don't write us off, we have our own experiences to offer and I think if most are like me, I am very interested and appreciative of your point of view! If you feel like you are in the minority, more reason why your voice needs to be heard here as well.

1 mom found this helpful

Women all over the world breastfeed their children for several years... I think you have to sit down and evaluate what is important to you and what is best for your child...I just stopped nursing my last son at 16months....I have friends who never nursed and friends who did for a little while and friends who nurse for 2 or more years....I nursed for as long as I felt comfortable and for as long as I felt it fit with my family...babywearing seems to be becoming more mainstream but so what if you like it do it, if not don't. As far as education goes research has shown that we learn the most in our first 7 years, that doesn't mean you need to shove books down the kids throat, teach them through life and expirences...let them help you in the kitchen, teach them how to clean...and explain why we do things, use money not credit and let them understand the concept of money and paying, go to the zoo, park....you get my drift....figure out what works for you and understand that you are not alone, you are a mother who wants the best for her children the only difference between you and the rest of us is the best for you is as individual as you are. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

Well, let's see - our oldest daughter is 25(married with 1 son), next daughter is 23(teaching English in China), then a 21 yo daughter(working and living with boyfriend), 1 son(finishing up homeschooling but no plans for a future), and our "baby" who's 9 already. I have run the whole gamut of child rearing ideas - we have always homeschooled, I wore my babies as much as feasible, we had family bed as often as possible, we started out very well with eating natural foods only, we can and freeze ALOT still, when I total the number of years I nursed our children, it equals 7 years :-),we didn't have TV in the house till our son was born, I was very involved with our LaLeche League for many years as well........all that to say, BE CAREFUL - when we over-parent our children, they tend to have a hard time thinking for themselves - AND become self absorbed at the same time.... We are Christians as well and I now see that soooo much of what we did, especially when we were novice parents, was man-taught and not necessarily God's best for us. No, not evil in and of themselves, but just not the best for the long haul and we can't see that like God can! The Enos' ideas were used a lot by others around us and I just did not like what I read from them, BUT, and I say this carefully but completely truthfully, I now see the children grown up who were trained that way, and they are some of the absolutely most wonderful, respectful, confident young people I've ever seen - so, as my Pastor's wife says, "don't eat the elephant whole - spit out the bones". I was so stubborn to do it my way, the way I thought felt right to me and I wasn't willing to hear anyone else out - if I didn't agree with them I just shut them out - don't do that - listen to it all and prayerfully decide what to "eat" and what to "spit out".

1 mom found this helpful

Hey! you are NOT ALONE! This is def the wrong group..... very mainstream mamas, mostly. I am also breastfeeding a 2/5 year old boy, unschooling, local/seasonal foods and lost of other ways of living you might be into too. Where do you live? I'm uptown manhattan (146th and Amsterdam). Check out the website my collective put together: www.kitchentablenyc.org -- we are not really busy as a collective these days, but we all found eachother based on the thigns you mentioned. We are trying to get it together to have a clothing swap really soon (mid-march) - you should totally come with your family! Its as much of a get together and meeting place as it is a swap, so even if you ahev thing to swap it would be great to meet you all! ... if you want to talk more you can email me at ____@____.com up! ~ alex

I definitely don't think you are alone!
However, I would suggest joining the AP Rochester yahoo group, they have many of the same beliefs and are a very active group! Good Luck!!

C.
Mommy to Jessie, Katie and Julia
www.TimetoChangetheDiapers.com
Adorable, affordable cloth diapers and reusable items for babies, kids and Moms!

don't feel alone and don't worry what others think, just do what you feel is right for your family. i'm 19 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child, but still breastfeeding and co sleeping with my 25 month old daughter. when the baby is born we will sleep with both of our children and probably? tandem nurse (if she still wants to) i try to buy mostly organic food, and always made my own baby food. crying it out - i Dont believe in! we did baby wearing until our daughter got too heavy. i wish to hold off school as long as possible, but i dont think i have patience for home schooling. there are many women here that think like you, and many that don't , but you will be surprised on great advices you can get from a variety of experienced women and mothers. Just always follow your heart and do what's best for your family, that's what every mom tries to do, we just all have different philosophies

Every child is different. You should definitely stick to your beliefs about how you want to live your life/raise your child. That being said, I believe that we as parents have to be flexible for our children so that their needs can be met. My daughter needed/wanted to breastfeed until she was 3 with her diet augmented with predominantly vegetarian meal options. As with any site with information and support you will need to weed through the information to see what is right for you and your family. I am sure you will find many moms who share some, if not all, of your ideals regarding living/raising children. I hope you do not feel too alone. I look forward to your future posts.

Hi!
Don't feel alone, there are plenty of people who fel as you do and want to do what they fel will be best for their child. I will say that I breast fed my daughter until she was fourteen months, however, since she started whole milk at 1 and was eating food at that point, it was only for a couple of minutes in the morning, sort of a way to ease into the day. Even now at four she likes to snuggle in my bed in the morning with a cup of warm milk. As far as food goes I try to buy evrything organic and free range whenever I can. I feel it's better for all of us, but I'm not going to make myself crazy and stop going out to dinner or on the rare occaision get McDonald's. Lastly I am a teacher, I have taught nursery school and I work as a substitute while I am looking for a fulltime position in a highschool. My daughter is enrolled in a daycare out of necessity, but would be in a daycare if I wasn't working. Around 3 or 4, they need social interaction with other children, without Mommy. It teaches them to be independent and figure some of the world out on their own. Academically it's good for them, because they're learning how to behave in school and it's hard to do evrything you'd like at home because there are so many distractions. You can teach them your ways, but there are no other children for them to learn from as well, which they all need. SO enjoy your daughter, give her what you feel she needs and give yourself a break! There is something to be said for alone time. Good Luck!

You Are Not Alone!
I have three sons. I breastfed the first one until he was almost two, my second until he was three, and my third until he was two. I have never let my babies cry it out, and they all spent a lot of time in the front and backpack. I home schooled the first two for a couple years then they all went to an alternative school. My boys are 14, 12, and 8 and are now in public school (not my first choice) but it is working out well. They are healthy and happy!

I don't think you should feel alone, it is true that we do not all raise our children the same way, it is in that way that we are all all alone. But we are all mommies and that is what makes this site a great thing. I don't think any two mommies on here feel the same about everything, which is what makes for some interesting discussions and suggestions. If you are raising your kids that way and sticking to your beliefs when not many other people do, then that is awesome, and your kids are truly lucky to have you. If you are looking for groups that feel the exact same way as you, then maybe you should google it or do a little research, I am sure there is something out there.

Hi P.,
Having moved to NYC from East Bay, CA (Oakland/Berkeley) several months ago, I understand your lonliness. We still subscribe to the Berkeley Parents Network and even in the super liberal bay area, there are a myriad of perspectives about parenting. Although we are likely more mainstream than what you would do for your children, what you describe is one of the norms where I gave birth and raised our son for the first 14 months of his life. I also have many friends in Tucson who also subscribe to everything you describe and I feel like it is a fine way to raise your children! We try to feed our son organic and whole foods all the time, but really it isn't possible to do all the time with an extremely limited income in a poor neighborhood. In CA, it would be possible. I find that the (urban) East coast is generally overall unhealthier in so many ways. We really have adjusted well, but somewhat grudgingly. I am a f/t grad student and my husband is a p/t grad student and working f/t. I have just weaned my son, and it was completely mutual. He is 22 months old now. It was sad for me but I feel good about it because he doesn't even ask for it and I feel like he is very well adjusted. It is hard to live "alternatively" where tradition and social "norms" bombard you every day. So, I want to say, you are not alone, but I also think you should perhaps broaden your vision of what is progressive parenting and understand the contextual basis for people's choices. You will find a lot in common with a lot of mom's I'm sure- whether on this forum or in real life.
Wishing you all the best,
B.

No, you're not alone. We're also not vaccinating ;)

You may be alone here, but you're not alone in the world. There are many who breast feed long after 6 months (I was 2 years), who hold and sleep with their babies as long as it's comfortable, who home school, eat organic whole foods and thrive in non-mainstream ways of life.

It's very nice to meet you, P.!

Hold your own and keep doing what you do. All that you desire will come to you!

You are not alone! Trust me, I feel your pain. As we speak my husband is walking our 8 month old daughter in the sling.. I am still breastfeeding and probably will for atleast another year. We eat organic and make our own baby food ( it's so easy and much less expensive than buying the organic food ) I have yet to find one person that lives here like us. Never doubt your insticts. Have you read 'The Baby Book' by Dr. Sears? If not, you might like it. It's full of ideas you probably have already heard or do, but it helps to read it when you feel like the world is against the way you raise your child.

P.,
Doesn't matter what the mainstream thinks...just take a look at the crisis most mainstreams kids are in now because of bad choices the parents made.
I say good for you, and how lucky your children are to have you around to take care of them...
If I could do it all over again I would do exactly what you are doing---so keep my email handy and when you need to vent a little, I will cheer you on!
D. K

Hey, I don't believe in crying it out, my first son slept with me till the was two and my baby sleeps with me now. I nursed my son till he was 13 months old and I will nurse this one till then too. I believe in giving your children opportunities to learn but not in signing them up for every class there is since they are two. I am a teacher and I am not quite sure about home schooling but it may be because I know I couldn't do it - just not that organized. And I buy good foods for my family, although I cannot afford organic all the time - I just pick and choose. I am definetely not a fan of fast food for dinner every night and my older son does not drink soda at all but he loves water and juices.
So you are not alone. Trust me.

We don't practice these things, but I don't see a problem with most of it. My very best friend home schools her children, gives them mostly organice foods, and did at least attempt breast feeding. I don't see where there is a problem with baby wearing either, or bed sharing either. I with you on the crying it out. There is no way I could ever let my children just cry and cry.

I'm curious though, if you don't mind telling me, why would you want to hold off on academic education? Maybe I'm not quite sure what that means. My 2 year old loves for me to read to him, and it's really cute watching him pretend to read from what he remembers of the books. He also loves learning his colors, shapes, and numbers. I am very casual with teaching him these things. We practice colors with clothes, and toys. I draw shapes for him on a magna doodle, and he loves to play hide and seek with his older brother and sister, and counts that way.

Honestly though, as long as someone isn't physically or mentally harming their child I don't see why doing things can't be done in a non mainstream way. More power to you holding off on those vaccines.

Hi P.,

I hear you. I am a new member on this loop and had only had a chance to read just a couple of posts and my very first reaction was how few of the women have these ideas you were writing about. Maybe I am wrong but I am all for breast feeding as long as you are comforable with it and I am all for feeding ourselves especially the little ones with healthy, unprocessed organic foods, etc. You are not alone.

C.

Hi Priscella,

Are you part of the LNC Newcomers club? I think we may have met...

Personally, I think each person should do what is right for them, even if that means breast feeding until your child goes to college! ha! I try to only give my daughter whole organic foods and I firmly believe that developing creativity is more important than knowing your numbers. I would say that most of the other mom's I've met are on the same/similar page. Maybe you've had some bad luck in meeting similar people?

Whatever the case, always remember that these are your personal decisions for your own children! No one else matters!

Best,
C.

Dear P.,
I'm new to this group, but I don't think you are alone. If you are, than you and I can start a new one!!!
I'm also a stay at home mama, wife, goddess queen, and think the best bet is to follow your heart. I've nursed 4 daughters, homebirthed 3, tandem nursed 3 times, cotton diaperd (can you say save $50/mo? can you say easy and early potty training?) carried in slings, infant(?) led weaning (4 yr., 5 yr., 2 1/2 yr., 6 yr) attachement parented, have homeschooled and public schooled,organic food, not bought baby food - when they're ready for real food, that's when they eat it! Also, I set limits on behavior, tv, activities outside the home, conflicts w/church (i.e., no you can't go to a sleepover or party if you can't make church) and my girls have chores, have to do their homework (oh my!) get good grades and be courteous to adults and each other. I am often complimented on their behavior and what a lovely family we have. No hospital visits w/kids, antibiotics only a couple of times, rarely see the doctor, use herbs, homeopathy, good eating, sleeping and exercise. also read alot, to each other and alone. My girls are 7, 10, 13 and almost 16, and a joy to be with and the best thing I've ever done. You're definitely on the right track!! A.

Hey P.,
I'm pretty much with you on the whole attachment parenting thing. As a first time parent, I am confused and unsure most of the time, but my instincts do tell me to go with it. I still breastfeed and co-sleep with my 18 month old. Most of the time, I feel alone in my beliefs also, and some people (society?) make you feel like you're spoiling your child or indulging yourself by pursuing that level of closeness. But it's what comes naturally to me, and I guess I can't fight that. Anyway, this forum seems to be pretty diverse from my experience, so I'm sure you're not alone in your beliefs.

Dear P.,
I am a firm believer in if it works for you and your family and doesn't hurt anyone go for it. So what if someone else thinks you are doing it wrong. You may think their methods are unusual, unhealthy or perhaps cruel. If you are currently surrounded by moms who look down upon you for your parenting philosophies or make you feel insecure about your decisions try to find moms you are more compatible with or who are supportive and non- judgmental. Like everything in life different people will make different decisions as to how they choose to live their lives that is what makes us individuals.
As long as you show your children unconditional love, make them feel good about themselves and keep them healthy you should be proud of the parent you are being. Don't worry about fitting in, this isn't high school thankfully. As mommies we have far more important things to deal with than worrying about fitting in because of parenting decisions.
J.

hello Prisilla

there is nothing wrong with continueing to breast feed your child for as long as the child feels the need i know several moms that did so till there children were 3yrs it all depends on you and your child let your child tell you when they no longer need to or want to my oldest nursed till she was almost 2 and my youngest did so untill she was a year and was no longer interested so dont stop because of other people listen to your children.
M.

I don't think you are alone. I have read many posts by moms here who have similar philosophies. I'm not one of them but don't fret, they are here. Good luck.
A.

I am only responding to the breast-feeding portion of your posting. I breast-fed my daughter until she was 15 months old. She never took a bottle and started using a sippy cup around 9 months. I gradually reduced the nursing (and increased the cup), and at about a year she was down to just morning and bedtime nursing. Then we got it down to just bedtime, and at 15 months we cut that out without any trauma (which actually surprised me). It was easy because she was ready.

I'm not sure this really addresses your concerns, but the point is that I nursed my daughter MUCH longer than any of my family or friends ever had. I know some of them thought I was a bit strange. But I did what I knew was right for my baby and me! Follow your heart and your instincts.

I consider myself an attachment parent. I still breastfeed my 12 month old daughter and plan to continue for as long as she wants. I wore her against my skin for a week after she was born and continued to carry her this way for months until I could wear her on my back. We co-sleep and do so until she is ready to sleep on her own. I don't let her CIO.

Hi P.
I know there are a lot of pressures out there. So much info and so much advice. I'm not sure how old your daughter is, but I nursed my daughter until about 13 or 14months. I know that is not a super long time, but for some it is. I think the 6 mo. thing is rediculous and a little young if you ask me. I didn't really want to nurse for that long, but my daughter had other plans and did not take the bottle. I think that if you are at home and it works for you then do it.

M.
Healthy living, Healthy family.
www.wearesucceedingfromhome.com

you should raise your child any way you want to. breastfeeding is wonderful but don't look for validation in others. its a personal and difficult issue for some. My daughter weaned at 13 months by herself and i was judged by some of my "organic only" friends for it. Organic is great if you can afford it but not everyone can. Babywearing was great when I had one but with two under two it became impossible for me at my age to carry them both constantly. I'm sure your local la leche meetings have indidviduals with like minded parenting styles.

Breast feed as long as u like. I did for 1.5 year and only stopped because I got sick & needed medicine that was not good for the baby to ingest. Its not tlike u do it all day long, the child gets solid food now, so it is not their main sorce of nutrients, but I believe is still good for them. Its bonding time for the 2 of u, enjoy it cause u might never get to have the same experience again. I dont know 2 many moms that have done it that long, only 1 person i know did it past 2 years. its your time, enjoy it.

You are not alone! I have been doing probably as much as what you are doing for my little one. She is 10 months old and still BFing with solids. I am planning on BFing for the long haul. I didn't get the best growing up myself and since I have a choice I am trying to do the best for my child because she is the most important thing in my life.

Hi,
I am still happily breastfeeding at 11+ months. My son has started to indicate that he is ready to begin weaning, so we have started the process. I am in no hurry, but he sure is. :) I am an educator, and stongly believe in a constructivist approach. This means we construct meaning through experiences and interactions. This doesn't require a school setting. I do think children need to learn from a wide variety of people including peers. I do believe in schools, but it isn't the best learning environment for everyone. I would like to know more about what you mean when you say holding back on academic learning.

Hola,
I understand your plight. There are tons of other list serve groups that may be what you are looking for. All list cannot be all things to all people. That is to explain my overactivity on many many groups. Check these out:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/API-NYC/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Attachment_Parenting/http:/...

P.~ I am mom to four, three of whom are unschooled. I've always been into attachment parenting and think child-led weaning is cool. Are you on the FUNschoolers list at Yahoo groups? I think you'd meet more like-minded folks on that list.

Have a great time being yourself and letting the people you nurture be themselves. It's an amazing journey, isn't it?

K. S

Dear P.,

Is there a Holistic Moms chapter in your area? The Holistic Moms Network is a national network of parents who believe in, well, everything you've described: baby wearing, extended breastfeeding, organic living, etc., etc. The chapter in my area (central NJ) is very active, and I'd be surprised if somewhere as progressive as Ithaca didn't have a chapter that was even more active and more progressive. You can search for a local chapter at http://www.holisticmoms.org.

For what it's worth, I'm still breastfeeding my 18-month-old son, though I'm now beginning what I believe will be a multi-year process of offering other forms of comfort first -- we try a hug and if he still really wants to nurse after that, he nurses. I am strongly opposed to cry-it-out practices, and my son never touched a drop of formula. We haven't quite managed an organic-only diet, but we get as close as we can.

That said, I like this group as a complement to Holistic Moms b/c it has a lot of things that HM doesn't have -- diversity, openness to a range of opinions, etc.

If you're still feeling isolated, though, please email me and other people who responded to this post. Maybe we can form a splinter group :)

You are not alone! I am one of those Mom's who practices many of the same philosophies as you, and I'm not too far away too! (Tonawanda NY)

What is baby wearing?

i'm with you. It is hard not to get caught up in the craziness of the early academics though.

On a different note, what is Ithaca like? We are looking for a new place to move. What is the town/school/people like?

Thanks for any input you can give.

M.-

I have 3 kids. My first daughter weaned herself at 14 months (and I was not ready!), my son was 22 months and I finally had to stop him which was very difficult. I could not sit in certain chairs, etc for a full year after. My second daughter weaned herself at 18+ months.

I made all my own baby food using mostly organic fruits and veggies. I use organic as often as I can especially for snacks. The dyes, etc. in the other stuff is outrageous.

I was going to postpone nursery school for my second daughter for a year, but she is so much further ahead of my other two that I think she is getting bored with me. She is going 2 days a week in the fall. I think it depends on the kids and moms. You can tell in kindergarten though the kids who did not go to any type of nursery schooling. Kindergarten is more like first grade then ever.

All three spent a lot of time in my snugglie around the house, etc. I could not get the hang of the sling!:)

Do what you feel is best and stop listening to everyone else. You know your kids the best.

I do not have the patience to home school, but I have met quite a few families who do. There is a big network in north bergen county.

You are not alone, my kids are just a bit older now (9 and 5). I breastfed both until almost 2 yrs old, we avoid antibiotics as much as possible, we eat organic as much as we can afford, limited junk food, only whole grains, etc etc etc.

My children were in publich school until a year ago when I pulled my 8th and 11th grader out to homeschool them. It was the best decision I could ever have made. They have grown closer to each other, closer to me, they are learning more, and without the peer pressures. I kept my third grader in school until I got my first year of doing this under my belt, but he will be homeschooled next year as well.
I can't really comment on the other topics, but I can say, just because everyone else is doing it-or not doing it-doesn't mean it's right for you.

Your not alone. We have a two month old and many of the issues you raise ring true to us, especially breastfeeding for MUCH longer than six months.

I don't think you are alone I just think there tends to be more mainstream questions and answers. The majority rules in most groups but I bet you can find other moms that share some, if not all of your values. I am really finding that different opinions from my own aren't wrong, they are just right for that family. That is the only way some responses don't send me over the edge:} Most of my friends don't share the exact same ideas and can still support me in my choices and I do the same for them. There is no reason to be alone. Best wishes.