I officially became a mother on July 22, 2017 at 8:50am, though as any woman who has experienced pregnancy will attest, I was mothering my unborn child long before that moment. In the instant that my doctor invited me and my husband to meet Miles John (and not Winter Helen, the name we’d chosen for a girl) we transformed from married couple to family; from individuals to parents. Suddenly our world revolved around the tiny–well, not too tiny, at eight pounds, four ounces–human entrusted to our care. Our own needs and desires would take a permanent backseat to the demands of the angelic little tyrant we had decided to bring into our lives.
Leaving the hospital with a new baby is a scary thing. One can be shown how to bathe, feed, change, and swaddle a newborn, told to expect periods of constant crying and given soothing strategies, and made to listen to seventeen different lectures on safe sleeping arrangements, and still feel utterly unprepared for the road ahead.
As it turns out, keeping the baby alive is not all that hard. But as my wrinkly newborn turns into a little boy with a personality all his own, I begin to think of the more challenging aspects of parenthood. How do I raise a son who is kind, compassionate, and fully grounded in good moral principles? How do I teach him about the dangers that exist in a world increasingly hostile to white males? How do I ensure that he respects the autonomy and agency of all human beings, and values voluntary interaction rather than coercion or violence? How do I instill in him a lifelong desire to keep learning and growing?
The Free Baby Project is the story of my journey into parenthood, and my successes, failures, and insights along the way. Join me for the ride! It is certain to be messy, frustrating, and heartbreakingly beautiful!
The Free Baby Project 