“The imitative nature of the baby and young child is so obvious and so all-pervasive that we tend to be blind to it, unaware of its implications for parenting,” opens a 1987 Mothering Magazine article by author Rahima Baldwin. “Your child learns everything through imitation - walking, talking, toilet training, tying shoes, endless tasks. And imitation manifest in expressions and gestures, as when we see and hear ourselves in our children’s play. “ I’d add that while parenting is now extremely child-centered, none of these actions are learned better from a screen or app. “The most effective way to correctly behavior in the young child is to provide an example in movement rather than to reason it out….”

There lots of lists of the “Special Gifts for the Women in Your Life”. But these lists are AWFUL! Full of fancy perfume we’ve never heard of, lotion sets full of garbage, jewelry that looks like the entrance of every department store? Who WRITES this stuff?

So, here are some REAL gift-giving ideas moms will appreciate, use and remember!

The problem with being a ‘holistic mom’ is that we want to send our big, grown-up kids out into the world with everything they could possibly need! The best college first aid kit (or camping kit) addresses the most common small stuff in a general way; moderates symptoms for comfort; helps resolve illnesses before they can become full-blown, and contains familiar, easy-to-use items.