and baby makes 6!

We’re going natal

My kids love the movie King Kong. The only problem with it, aside from half the cast being killed by giant insects and dinosaurs, is the part where the characters encounter the natives on Kong’s island. It is very creepy and scary.

So, in parental fashion, we fast forward through the native part. The problem is, we did not do this the first time it was viewed. We premiered it in the 5′er for the kids, just in case it was too much for Quinn. In that case, Bill would exit the Little House with Quinn and head on inside the stick house.

Well, the part with the natives came on in the movie, and we were not fast enough to extract the little one, so he got more than a glimpse of these creepy, spooky people that looked like a heroin trip gone wrong. Have you seen it? Okay, so you know what I mean.

For quite a while, Quinn could not go in a room without the light on, or the “natals” would get him. He could not go outside after dark, for fear of the “natals”. What happens if he woke at night and had to walk down the hall by himself? That’s right. The natals would be lurking and get him.

He is over it now, and knows that natals like the ones on King Kong do not really exist (at least in this hemisphere).

All is well that ends well. Parents make mistakes, and I will admit that full on.

Having said that, this summer is the summer that we went “natal”. While we were in Port A, the 6 of us together used less than a basket of laundry. We showered in the outside shower, and even used soap once or twice that week.

Since we have returned, we continue to follow the natal way. We wear bathing suits all day, and the kids use the same clothes over and over. I have done 2 loads of laundry since last week…..and that is all there was. For those reading who have a large family, this is unreal.

Are you still with me? Are you completely grossed out and can’t be my friend anymore? I promise I still shave my underarms. We are clean and shiny, since I must sterilize myself with a steaming bath once a day, as well as the kids. But, oh my, how liberating it is to be a natal. No schedules, no appointments, no nothing.

One thing I discovered while in Port A is that my face stopped breaking out because I discontinued my cleansing routine. I immersed myself in sea water for several hours a day while surfing, so there was no need to use soap on my face. Not. One. Zit. All. Week! So, I continued my poor hygiene here at home with the same results. I was over cleansing my face! Go figure.

Mia has gone natal as well. She is potty training and it is going very well. We abandoned the adult toilet, as it was “scawy”, so she uses a little, antique wooden childs potty………..and she does not wear clothes at all anymore. It is futile to put them on her, as 10 seconds later they are peeled off and strewn across the floor. She has embraced the natal way with zeal.

We at Chez Jody2ms highly recommend going natal. No laundry, no hassles, no worries, mon!

Now I must go, as the natals are getting restless and need to be put to bed….but first, a few parting shots of some in their natural environment.