On Being A Mom Archives - They Call Me Oystergirl

Sh!t Feminist Parents Say

March 24, 2014 by Vanessa Query 1 Comment

We present an honest and hilarious look at the trials and tribs of raising a child in today’s complicated patriarchal society.

Baby-Led Weaning: the traditional approach to solid food

December 22, 2013 by Vanessa Query 6 Comments

“He has such a good appetite.” “He sure loves his food.” “He’s so good at feeding himself.” “I can’t believe he’s eating that!” …some of the comments I used to get about my son’s eating habits. I got them for as long as people had been seeing him eat, and, though the novelty has somewhat worn…

Tara’s: a real Irish family pub in Southern RI

September 11, 2013 by Vanessa Query 2 Comments

I’ve only been there twice, but I’m a little smitten with Tara’s Tipperary Tavern right now. Before I get started, I want to warn you that this isn’t a place you can keep paleo (unless you order the obligatory salad). That’s not what this is about. There are things that sometimes trump food choices. Traditional Irish…

My Interview for the Knowing Birth Series

April 1, 2013 by Vanessa Query 1 Comment

Megan Alton over at Waking Up Happy has been conducting interviews as part of her Knowing Birth series. I am honored to have my interview featured. Where did you choose to have your birth and why?… …It was only when I was pregnant that I learned about Ina May Gaskin. I found out that the…

My Birth Story (aka “look what I made”)

March 20, 2013 by Vanessa Query 6 Comments

All you could ever want to know and more about the birth of my son, Desmond. When I left my house midday on Thursday, February 17, 2011 to go to the clinic, Narragansett Bay was at such low tide I could smell it. At the clinic, it was confirmed that I had in fact been…

A Critique of a Critique of Extended Breastfeeding

November 10, 2012 by Vanessa Query 11 Comments

I’m not sure why I opened What to Expect the Toddler Years (Eisenberg/Murkoff/Hathaway, 1994/1996). Morbid curiosity I guess. The books in this series are notorious for maintaining the status quo, but they do so in a typically non-invasive way, especially if you go into it wary-eyed. Early in my pregnancy, I learned to take everything…