“Green,” “organic” and “holistic” are buzz words these days, both in the media and on store shelves. But for an increasing number of parents, those words help define their approach to parenting.
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Ideals of Holistic Parenting.
The holistic parenting movement has been around for decades but seems to be gathering steam during this media-saturated, techno-focused 21st century, a time when even the most oblivious among us are waking up to the effects our actions have on the earth and each other. More parents are choosing to simplify their lives and their surroundings, and that naturally leads to a more back-to-basics approach to parenting.
But holistic parenting goes way beyond cloth diapering, or opting out of some or all infant immunizations, or strapping your child’s car seat into a hybrid car. According to the Holistic Moms Network website, holistic parenting “begins with an understanding and respect for how all living things are connected and how we impact one another. As such, holistic parenting embraces green and non-toxic living, non-violent communication, and natural health.”
Holistic Moms Network is a nonprofit organization and nationwide network of like-minded parents who form chapters based on geography to share ideas, grow friendships and support one another. There are well over 100 chapters across the country, according to the website.
While there isn’t a Holistic Moms chapter in or even near the Lowcountry, there does seem to be an increased interest in holistic health care for children here. Linda Herczegh, owner of Good Health Unlimited on Hilton Head Island, says she’s seeing more parents buying homeopathic remedies for children’s colds and flu, and more multivitamins and herbal supplements to boost their children’s overall health as a preventive measure.
“I think people are tired of seeing the side effects of medication on their children,” Herczegh says. “They’re tired of covering it up, of treating the symptoms but not what’s causing it. Doctors tend to prescribe antibiotics, antibiotics, antibiotics, but parents wonder ‘Why are my kids getting this over and over?”
Good Health Unlimited carries the Hyland’s brand of homeopathic remedies for common childhood ailments like teething and colds. It also carries chewable vitamins for kids and even vitamins in powder form for infants. Among other natural health boosters and organic food, Herczegh sees parents buying their kids chewable calcium tablets (“very good for the immune system,” she says) and fish oil (“it has DHA for the brain,” she says).
It may sound unconventional to give your child fish oil, but part of holistic parenting means not accepting the conventional before researching the alternative. A good example is the use of chiropractic adjustments for infants to ward off or treat such common baby problems as ear infections and even colic. Dr. Erica Forzese of Seaside Family Chiropractic, who specializes in chiropractic care for infants and children, says you’re never too young for an adjustment.
“I have adjusted infants who were hours old,” Forzese says. “As soon as they’re born is one of the best times (to visit the chiropractor) because birth is a very traumatic experience for both mother and child.” The way a newborn travels through the birth canal and is handled by doctors at the moment of his birth, whether it’s a vaginal birth or cesarean section, can cause even a slight misalignment of the baby’s spine that might end up creating problems as the baby starts to develop, she says.
Afflictions that have been minimized or cured by chiropractic care in Forzese’s experience include colic, acid reflux, head tilts, torticollis, ear infections, bed wetting, and nursing difficulties.
Beyond the initial adjustment done shortly after birth, Forzese recommends parents bring in their little ones whenever they are working on a new phase of physical development, including lifting their head, crawling and learning to walk.
“It’s like dental care, it’s preventive medicine in a way,” she says.
And parents who are worried about the amount of force used to adjust an infant or child can rest easy, Forzese says.
“It’s completely different than an adjustment for an adult. There are no pops and clicks, it’s not forceful at all and there are no jerky movements,” she says. “The pressure used to make the adjustment is very minimal. The pressure used on an infant is no stronger than the pressure I would use to check the ripeness of a tomato.”
Like chiropractic care, yoga is another unconventional way to focus on the child’s physical health. But yoga teachers tout its mental health benefits for kids as well.
“Many studies show that yoga not only helps kids with the obvious things like balance, coordination and body awareness, but it also helps kids deal with challenges, frustration and stress,” says Shelley Lowther, owner of Dancing Dogs Yoga, which holds classes for kids as young as 2. “When children learn relaxation techniques, such as Savasana, they are able to find an outlet for their stress rather than turning it inward, often causing children to be withdrawn or depressed, or outward, sometimes seen in schoolyard fights and bullying.”
Lowther frames her child class sessions around “stories,” like a trip to India or Egypt, incorporating yoga poses that fit the theme and adding a lot of creativity and even educational material as well. She says parents are most impressed with the way their children are more centered and calm after class and that they are better able to channel their energy and breathe through stressful situations outside the yoga studio.
“I’m amazed at how much stress kids have in their lives, all the stimulation. They seem to carry a lot more stress these days,” Lowther says.
