I’m a 50 year old child free woman, never wanted kids, my life couldn’t be more different to yours but I still loved this video 😊 I could listen to you talk about your life, anything really, all day. You have such a calm beautiful presence and such interesting perspectives. Thank you so much for sharing ❤️🇬🇧
This video made me cry. I’ve always wanted to be a mother since I was a child. I’ve also never been that ambitious and want to stay at home and raise children. Society and friends/family make it seem like that’s not enough, that I must want to do/be something MORE. I’ve tried/done so many different career/life paths but none of them I stick with or really give me life. I’ve always felt I’m not enough and I feel guilty for only wanting to be a mom. Thank you so much for sharing your story, it’s really impacted me so deeply and I know when my time comes, I too will be a mom. ❤️ Keep sharing for those out there that need to hear your voice. You are making a huge impact! More women need to hear this and not enough women are speaking about wanting/desiring to be a mom as ENOUGH. It’s ok not to be that “ambitious”. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I watched this after nursing my toddler to sleep! He’s almost 2 years old and I also haven’t slept more than about 3h at a time since his birth 😄 I loved hearing you talk about motherhood. I’ve been watching your channel for many years and have always looked up to you. And now, as a fellow mom, I do so even more. To be honest, you’re raising Max how I aspire to raise my son. Close to nature, close to you.
What a beautiful and poetic video about motherhood. The watermark of this ode to your motherhood spelled your love for Max. Would love to hear Lou's take on fatherhood, how he feels about this shift in your lives and things like co-sleeping and how he came around after not wanting kids (if he feels so inclined of course). I find that fathers are not often given a voice on these matters in the media (whether it be social or other). Once again, thank you for this beautiful window into your family life!
One of the best and most encouraging videos on motherhood I've watched! Please make more like this! Especially loved the content about cosleeping, nursing, EC, etc :)
Dana, I cannot tell you how refreshing it is to hear someone speak so positively and eloquently about the expanse of motherhood and the traditional feminine role ALONG WITH the hard parts. You beautifully articulated (without the cliches) the duality of self sacrifice - stepping out of our life as we knew it - and the beauty in receiving from our children and evolving into our new role as the heart of the family as we learn to care for them. More women starting families need to hear this truth. I will say that multiple children will exponentially accelerate one into the evolutionary process. LOL. I had my 3 children close together and there were many days I thought I could NOT feel more out of control, depleted and used up with no end in sight which resulted in angry parenting too much of the time. Truly… “those days are LOOONG but the years short”. I applaud you for already having a deep understanding of yourself and your process before you started this journey. Mothers need an emotional tool kit to help them navigate, for sure. I wish that I had been a more kind observer and gracious self encourager during such an intense stretch of years when my children were young. Thank you for sharing such a sacred and personal thing.
This is such a beautiful comment, thank you so much, Shannon ❤ haaa you have me laughing (nervous laughing? happy laughing? all the laughing haha) with this "multiple children will exponentially accelerate one into the evolutionary process." Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences!!
FINALLY! Thanks for talking about all these questions and big themes so openly. I have a 1 year old and am having some hard nights as well ( new house, bed, country, lifestyle ) and adored hearing the real life talking of a badass real Mom. Thanks Dana! You are a superstar :)
Dana, you are so inspiring. Your brilliance and love are so evident in everything you do. Lou, the way you build and teach and provide are so special. Your family is so beautiful. I love you three so much, and love getting to be a part of your journey. This is one of my favorite videos you’ve put out in a while.
That is some truly high praise, Cicadassound ❤thank you so much for those truly kind words ❤ sending you lots of loves and the biggest hugs from all of us!!
Thank you for speaking so beautifully, your words about motherhood are pure warmth. Being a mom is really my dream and listening to you makes me enjoy it without even being one, you make me see myself reflected in your words. ❤
Never ever too much of hearing you share your thoughts. I "had to" listen twice because I enjoy your perspective. Your story is special even though it is very different than mine. This doesn't diminish my interest in story. Thanks so much for sharing.
This was such a lovely video to watch. You talking about not having the “traditional” ambition and feeling oddly about saying it aloud but feeling so strongly about being a mum, is something a really resonate with and I don’t know anyone who feels the same. Thank you for talking about it, it’s nice to hear someone who feels similar in a world where it seems if you are not “traditional” career driven something is wrong.
Dana, I've been finding solace in your videos since your film photography series, your channel is such a beautiful, heart place for me. Thank you for being who you are and sharing it all!
Courtney, that honestly means so much to read ❤ like literally feel my heart warm up while reading. Thank you for spending time with us all these years :)
This is such a BEAUTIFUL VIDEO ! I follow you both since the Van life and waw what a journey. Thank you for shring all of this, being so open and vulnerable. ❤❤❤
As someone experiencing a particularly challenging period of motherhood, I crave the peace that you seem to have found in your role. Thank you for sharing your beautiful life and the wisdom you've gained over the years
You and Lou are amazing parents. Max gets the best of both worlds. Socialising with family and friends, and breathing fresh air and learning skills. Most of all beautiful memories. What a wonderful story with you and Lou ❤ you are each others person ❤ lou probably didnt want kids till he met you. ❤
State of surrender for what life is giving you 🙌🏻 When this point of view is matched with a bit of curiosity about every possible outcome in life, experiences become rich and fulfilling. This video resonates so much with my view of life. Thank you for sharing Dana and Lou.
I have been with you since Spain and stopped watching through the boat thing because it just made me anxious. I know its weird to develop concern over strangers but I just would pray you guys wouldn't be lost at sea. I TOO.. only had to the goal, become a mom. No it doesn't sound fancy and most people might judge because we are expected to have bigger money making goals, but motherhood was my dream. So Dana you are not alone. I live vicariously through you guys because I may never be able to just have a cottage in the woods with my kids.
Dana, I could listen to you for hours. You are so articulate and eloquent. Thank you for these thoughtful answers. Even though I'm childless by choice, I found this really interesting!
Your explanation of having a toddler who is truly still a baby at the same time made me tear up. I have a 20 month old and I feel struggle when I have to explain to my family that even tho my son is doing so well and is learning so fast… he’s still a baby and needs to have moments with me as a baby.💕 Thank you for sharing your experiences as a mother so far! I hope to hear more in the future.
We loved spending our Sunday morning with you, Dana! We have followed you guys for a long time and feel so aligned with you both on so many things. Although we aren’t ready for kids yet, we are always so inspired by seeing how you choose to parent and the life you are creating for your family. Sending love from Phoenix 💛
Really enjoyed this chat! I’m a new mom, my girl will be 10 weeks tomorrow. I really appreciated your view of “loosing yourself in motherhood”. I’m trying to lean into the change myself. I still want to be me, but I also know my life will never be the same. Breastfeeding wasn’t our journey but we are finding other ways to bond. It’s such a raw and life changing experience.
Dana, this video is EVERYTHING I needed to hear. I’ve been ‘battling’ with and surrendering to so many of the things you’ve spoken about here. It has been so refreshing to me to hear this. I’m going to save this video for watching later again and again when I need to hear the voice of someone that feels similarly to me. I don’t hear many voices with similar thoughts to me. X
That was really lovely Dana hearing your journey and perspective. When I started watching your channel you were just moving in to your house in Hawaii, and now I know what came before, those videos are more richer in my memory. It’s great that you and Lou found each other x
This will definitely be a video that I will save and cherish. I felt emotional by the way you talk about life and your journey to children and an alternative way of living. I resonate so much with wanting to have a 'big life' and it is amazing to see you as a living example of that. ❤
I sooo resonate with the motherhood part! We are still breastfeeding( 15months) we have co slept since birth, we practice attachment parenting. All the things. ❤️ different but it feels so good for us.
Loved this video, and your language surrounding motherhood. I would love to see you release a guided meditation on motherhood and that evolution of expanding who you are. Love, love, loved it!
I'm 21 now and I've been watching your videos for years and years... it feels so fulfilling to watch you become parents so similar to my own. I wasn't brought up off the grid but I was absolutely radically unschooled, and I had a wonderful circle of friends that grew up in a similar way. Now that I'm in college it can be hard to explain to my peers why I love the way I grew up so much, and I doubt sometimes if that's how I should raise my kids (also, totally relate to not really having ambitions, but knowing deep down that you should be a mother. It's so nice to hear someone else say that). My mom didn't realize that she wanted to be a mother until a bit later, but she was similar in not having strong materialistic/professional ambitions, and then finding so much joy in motherhood. She was very passionate about being a full-time stay-at-home mom and unschooling parent, and I'm so grateful for it because it almost feels as if I am naturally connected to myself and nature, while my friends that I've talked to about it are always searching for that connection. I don't really have a point here, but just wanted to let you know that I love your videos and your parenting/life philosophy. Unschooling was amazing for me (and I was able to transition to college and the workforce really easily) and I hope it continues to be amazing for your family! Also, so cool to hear about how you have fallen into pretty traditional feminine/masculine roles in a way that seems really healthy. I've grown up in a very leftist and progressive environment and so most of my beliefs align with that, but I've also always wanted to be a homemaker and have a partner who would do the more masculine tasks and take on that mental load, while I take on the mental load of the family and home. I really enjoyed hearing you talk about your experience with that!
“You don’t have to be in a flowy fancy dress to be in touch with your feminine energy”… loved hearing someone else say this. Thanks for putting this video out, in a place where I really needed to hear a few things you shared. Lots of your vids over the years seem to have come just when I’ve needed them to 🫶🏽:)
Yes, please do keep sharing these videos. I love that you've been able to pave your own path in parenthood. We're a little more mainstream than you, but also consistently find ourselves butting up against / reevaluating the social norms. It really is so isolating at times, especially when you get negative feedback that sometimes does make you second-guess what you know in your heart of hearts is right (e.g. my tot and myself are at our best with cosleeping too even when it means more interrupted sleep...yet I get "concerned" peers telling me he'll be too clingy or never learn to sleep through the night...I super doubt it). So, thank you, thank you for sharing and validating alternative lifestyles as being potentially very uplifting and wholesome. Its helped me to stop doubting myself! (I'm working on being as strong as you on holding my ground when I know what we're doing is in the best interest of this unique child, but its so hard sometimes).
Believe me, I find it really hard too sometimes ❤ but you said it so well, when you know in your heart of hearts it is right, thats something to listen to. Thank you so much for your comment, it truly gives me strength, too! Thanks for being a part of this community, and sending the biggest hugs to you ❤
I really enjoyed this Dana! As someone who is hoping to become a mum soon, I love hearing wisdom from other mums. Your lifestyle and outlook is so beautiful 💕
I am fairly new here. Learned about you through Barron and Elsa. I am 62. I am watching this while making my version of turkey, black bean, and pumpkin soup. I am using what I have to use. Having fun with veggies.💚💚💚 I love stories.
This video makes me so sad. I even cried watching this, of mourning the life I dont have. I mean I am happy for you creating your beautiful life and beautiful family. But I am 40 and chronically single and chronically ill. And I want a husband, children and living on land of my own and have the same vision. But I wasn't lucky finding love at 19, so I have been lonely my whole life, unwillingly. Now I am scared I will be to old and never find either love or getting children. I live in the city. I tried moving to the countryside but that ended in catastrophy. I hope I will have a different life soon. You are truly living the dream.
Oh Zindra ❤ I really wish all the very best for you. You are in my heart. You sound like you are carrying a lot of hurt ❤I see you and wish only the best for you xx
I’ve followed your family semi-silently since your van days, was a loyal subscriber during your Live Creatively challenges, and somewhere around boat life fell away (my husband and I moved to another country and a lot of my watching/listening patterns evolved). Though we are similar people (ED history, prioritizing creative life, husband didn’t initially want kids, new moms) I don’t share the same worldview as you in many areas. However, I can’t tell you how refreshing your take on motherhood is. In particular, your views on “getting lost” in motherhood are so countercultural in a positive way. Personally, I found the newborn stage to be incredibly difficult. It was a period of deep grief over the death of my flowery expectations of what motherhood would be. Around the 3-4 month mark I felt like I came up for air and finally had the perspective to appreciate the sometimes long, lonely days and nights. What an immense gift to witness and nurture the unfolding of a tiny life! My daughter is almost 2. I stay home with her and was just lamenting to my husband the way people approach me about returning to “work” or how I sheepishly tell my friends I love homemaking as though it isn’t a valid and honorable choice in and of itself. I appreciate your candidness and obvious joy as a mother. It’s been the most meaningful season of my life, and I am so happy it seems to be the same for you.
Dana, this was so special to listen to, thank you so much for sharing all your thoughts ✨ It really helped me to look at some things that I’m been contemplating in a different way and to understand myself a little better as I resonate with much of what you’ve shared with us. I’ve been watching you and Lou, since film camera adventures and it’s so beautiful to follow your family’s journey and to see what a beautiful life you’re building ❤
You can talk about motherhood like this in every video, I would watch it! Thank uou for being such an inspiration talking so positively about motherhood. As a new mom I sometimes stuggle to stay positive in the hard moments and your outlook helps me.
So beautiful! I love your approach to life and your insight. I just shared your video with my niece, who has a baby and pre-schooler. I believe you have really helpful ideas for young mothers, as well as those of us who are older! You're a breath of fresh air.
This video brought such warmth to my soul - thank you! I’ve watched you guys since around when I first spent time online in my mid teens (so 6 years now), and I’ve always been inspired by your approach to life and the art you put out into the world, but I’m such a lurker on UA-cam that I’ve never commented until now. Two thoughts I wanted to share: hearing you talk about your journey with Lou was something I could imagine really relating to since I’ve also always wanted a child (so how would I feel if I fell for and wanted to build a life with someone who didn’t?). Secondly, I was homeschooled (started just because my dad didn’t want to stop spending all our time together and learning as we were and continued mostly because of all the musical activities I got involved with). It’s an experience that I’m mostly really grateful for, and I can see that you guys will continue to be absolute pros in your involvement with Max and his learning, so he’s a lucky duck! I just want to say that particularly as a homeschooled only child (but I think this is super important when you have siblings too), it was paramount that my parents set me up with me lots of structured and unstructured time with kids and away from home/parents. This was a community which was thankfully readily available in Ithaca. As a homeschooler it’s easy to get painted as a bit different or isolated, and you just want to make sure that’s not actually the child’s experience. Something else I feel strongly about is the child’s choice; I feel the same about playing an instrument even though I think it’s the bestest! I’m sure you have and will continue to have many resources and opinions as you chart these waters, but I guess I thought mine might be interesting as a homeschooler who’s loved your work for a long while 💚 Wishing you, Lou, and marvelous Max all the best as summer turns to beautiful fall!
Thank you sooooo much for you comment, Kate ❤ It really is so helpful to hear your experiences and insights as a homeschooler!! We really appreciate it, its such a blessing to have such a kind community here to share things like this with us :) And thank you so much for spending time with us all these years, that honestly means so much :) big hugs from all of us xx
Thank you for sharing all this personal and profound things with us, I loved this video ! I hope there will be more :) I am 32 and not a mom yet (which brings some fear from time to time) and I love to hear experiences, stories,etc. about motherhood.
Large age gaps between sibbling can be a blessing for ALL. Fully recover energy from the first. Have more one on one with each child because they have difft interests and interractions at varying ages , and difft bedtime !
Less jealousy because older children understand, and get their time with parent too. Transmission of skills between children of large age gap is so fun too. Easier to let eldest go out with friends qnd have their own life because you’re busy with small one. (Sometime we over protect the eldest child, not seeing them get big... it’s good to send them with aunty or to a friend’s house or let them take a bus as a young teen
I’ve always felt exactly the same about having kids. I have a career but it is not my priority. I have always just known that I am meant to be a mother and there’s nothing else that will make me feel totally complete. I don’t have kids yet, so I guess I will find out for sure once I do, but the idea of losing yourself is so strange to me in my mind. I feel “lost” now, and only feel grounded and like myself when I am taking care of and teaching children.
I’m 60 now and had the 2nd of my two sons on my 36th birthday (my other son was born when I was a single mother at 19) and I breast fed until he was 4 years and 3 months old. They didn’t have the term extended breast feeding then. We just called it nursing for a long time. It was so great and I wouldn’t take any of it back. We also had the family bed until he was 10 or so and he is a well adjusted, autonomous, confident young guy living a great life. Live whatever life is intuitive for you and Lou. That’s how there’s no regrets when they’re grown
That is so wonderful to hear, thank you so much for sharing, Robin!! "Live whatever life is intuitive" those are some wonderful words ❤ big hugs from all of us!
Thank you so much for taking the time to share all this. It is so special and it feels so good to hear another mama talking about how deeply amazing it is to become a mom. I’ve never been happier in my life than since I got pregnant with my baby boy. I have a question for you though: how did you work on your traumatic birth experience? I’ve been through the same and have been intimidated to work on it… Thank you again and I wish you and your family all the best.❤
I loved this and I needed to hear it too, my bubs just turned 1 year, 2 days ago, its crazy and super emotional ! we had a traumatic start aswell, with him being flown alone to a bigger hospital as we followed in car, me going into pregnancy related heartfailure 3 days later and helicoptered to an even bigger hospital while my husband stayed back with him at the NICU. I sometimes feel like I fail in all aspects of my motherhood, so many first I missed because I was in hospital and even after coming home I had to have help, I got dizzy from my meds and couldnt walk around with him, my heart was so damaged I couldnt have him laying on my chest. and now on the journey of it getting better slowly I feel like I cant keep up with my fast speed crawling boy that just wants to be chased down the hallway but my fitness and body is so broken still and it hurts so badly. Your way of living gives me hope that even in the small things we do together and the fact Im still home and will be for atleast another 6 months Im still making him a good childhood, its just slower paced, and thats okay. Sending hugs from New Zealand, this was just the video I had to see today, thank you.
Oh my gosh, you have been through so much, Franciska ❤ "Im still making him a good childhood, its just slower paced, and that's okay."--That is absolutely OK, you are doing a wonderful job showing up with love ❤ sending sooo much love to you, and your family, over in beautiful New Zealand :)
@@WildWeRoam thank you Dana, that means a lot, we were also told another pregnancy will kill me, so all of a sudden we were also one and done, thats a hard one to deal with aswell, not saying that we would have another but getting the choice taken away is whats awful. And it still hurts, but its in waves now, cause look at all the possibilities we are going to be able to give bubs now that we can center in on him :) Im a only child, so I think observing the sibling relationship good and bad just made me really want to be able to give my son that.
Loved this! I started out the video washing dishes and cooking lunch, then finished it while sewing. I want to go back and catch all the visual bits I missed, but this was a perfect chatty video for me today :) Blessings on your little family as we transition into fall and all that comes with it!
I sincerely enjoyed this chat, I appreciate your openness and vulnerability and your decision to build the life that makes YOU and your family happy, to grow and explore, and to share how you experience life. In my eyes we don't need to have ambition to live a life that society tells us is ' successful'...we only need the drive and willingness to explore and to grow, to create happiness that then is felt by the world...and to share. And you encompass all of that. Thank you for being you. ❤🎉🙏
Monika, thank you SO much ❤ i feel truly seen by your comment. I couldnt agree more. Thank you, you put such a big smile on my face ❤ lots of love to you!
@@WildWeRoam Much love to YOU too, dear Dana! I don't comment very often and I think I have never commented on your channel, but I have been following your journey for years...since van life. I love how you are embracing adventures and motherhood, healthy living, creativity and meditation - and life in general. Enjoy your lovely family. 😍❤💚💙💛
The best Video Yet!! I have listened to you twice. So many things in common. I would love to unschool but I am slowly realizing I don't enjoy mothering that much.. But I feel I could do some of the things you mentioned in these videos.. LOVE THIS so much.. Thank you Thank you
thank you for sharing all this thoughts! it was perfect timing for me. I'm a mother of toddler and I love this role for myself. but I have hard time lately because of my health issues. you helped me to change some perspective, thanks❤
Enjoyed your video so much. You are so genuine and its comforting to know you are living a life thats true to you and ur family. I think you are very talented, not sell yourself short. You bring a lot to the table. Proud of all your accomplishments keep inspiring us all. 🎉
this was so interesting. I felt like you Lou seemed sort of... traumatized? after the sailing trip the Bahamas. It sounds like there is a story there. Whatever happened I'm so glad you guys are on the other side and enjoying your homesteading family life so much. I've watched you for years, it's weird to say but I'm so proud of both you. You live life so genuinely.
What a beautiful video! My experience was very different, as a young single mother, though I suppose in my late 40s it's not entirely too late to try again! ha. Don't think I'll be doing that, but this video was so heartwarming to see. I especially love how you describe the division of roles and responsibilities with Lou, and how your connection is stronger than ever. You each thrive separately and you love doing life together So beautiful, and warms me to see. Thank you for the heartfelt share.
Beautiful beautiful beautiful. I came to motherhood late my third and last child I didn’t have till I was 42 and then my husband left and my first child is disabled so things weren’t easy. It was tough solo special needs parenting in the moments but I never ever became unable to see the magic and honour and gift in it all. Even in the hardest moments I always had a little voice saying in my mind …. When these days are done you will want even this hard moment back. And that’s truth! My kids are about to fly the nest soon and I am so grateful I never took one day with them for granted without seeing the gift and magic and wondour of it all ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I loved this so much, I love all of the videos you do, but this was different in such a great way. Thank you for your positive perspective on motherhood/womanhood. Thank you for not pushing the narrative that men and women are exactly the same and family/work should be split 50/50. We each have god-given strengths and weaknesses in personality and also in gender. There is nothing wrong with working to your strengths, and women and men absolutely have different strengths. If you would ever consider sharing your birth experience (of course only if you're comfortable doing so) I would really find that interesting and how you grew from the experience would be so beneficial for other people to hear. Mum of 3 here, and absolutely having kids is experiencing trauma to some degree (and experiencing crazy joy as well), thank you for sharing the Emotion Code, definitely going to look into that!
I remember being so happy for you that Lou changed his mind, because I seen how much you wanted to expand your family. So glad you got to keep Lou and gain Max 🥰🩵 I resonate with so much of what you've said, especially the birthing experience not being what we hoped for, and that somehow transforming us.
Interesting about your conversation around acupuncture! I started acupuncture four months ago and I’ve found it’s calmed me (and helped my migraines). I completely believe if we take care of ourselves as the mother, our children will follow that calm energy.
You are the mother I may have been if I lived in different circumstances. But alas, I didn’t become the mother you are and I have many regrets, so it was so wonderful to listen to something some part of my soul resonates with so loudly. I’d love to know how you processed the birth and generally how you are able to deal with hard things. I’m assuming years of practice, but I’d love it if you shared some accessible practices (not in-person retreats) that have worked best for you to build resilience.
I loved, loved this video. I didn't actually watch much, I mostly listened while sketching but it was so warm and beautiful still. I'd love it if you could talk more about motherhood, you seem so grounded in this role! I'm in a similar situation as you used to- I would love to be a mother but my husband doesn't want children. I've done my share of crying and processing and I'm pretty much prepared to be an auntie to my friends' kids (I'm all a birth doula so I get my baby fill that way) but it makes me smile to know that other people were able to figure out the answer to this problem in a way that makes everybody happy.
Dana, I can’t even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this video even though my children are 28 and 30 or soon to be I thoroughly enjoyed the honesty and all of the talk about self-help and self-care. I was 23 when I had my first child and then 25 when I had my second child and I wish that I would’ve been the person. I am today back then , but it was very difficult. My first child was autistic and he taught me so much about life, but with it came a lot of frustration and being that his then father was not as hands-on as I was as you can imagine because I was so young I felt so overwhelmed. I myself had an eating disorder in my 20s and 30s it was anorexia and it was very difficult along with anxiety and depression. I just wish that I would’ve had the knowledge and, the maturity that you and Lou have. So with that said, just know that you guys are so much further ahead than so many other younger couples and you’re doing such a wonderful job. ❤ I appreciate you sharing everything that you did today and I would love to hear more videos about self-help and a lot of the books that you’ve read I myself kind of addicted to self-help books and now turning 54 soon I feel like I’ve only just begun to heal. Sorry for the long rant, but all this to say keep doing what you’re doing. There’s always people out there benefiting!
I loved listening to this. My fiancé and I have a ton of similar experiences. We’re living in a single 40 ft shipping container we converted in Florida. We loved hearing your perspective ❤ and hope to hear many many more of these chats :)
I love your videos. I discovered your channel very recently with the springs stuff. Your lifestyle is something I would see myself doing. My kids are old now, almot out of the house but my wife and I are looking for a little cozy country house where we can have more space for chickens and nature stuff.
46:54 Could you expand on unschooling vs homeschooling and what that means for you? I hear varying things about unschooling from not teaching children how to read or do math to basically homeschooling but not using the classic books.
I fed my daughter until she was three it was fantastic I loved it, do it for as long as you can. My daughter and I are so close she is healthy and strong and very intelligent both emotionally and academically ❤I love it when you chat heaps. Hay just get pregnant now there is never a right time and you and Lou will work it out like you always do with all that you do.
Dana, thank you for sharing. I have a question about your transition to omnivorous diet. How did you reconcile your views on animal welfare with your body wanting more animal products? Do you source your meat and dairy from only known sources? Do you butcher your own chickens etc? Please don't think I'm judging, I'm just curious. Your land and journey are beautiful.
Dearest Dana, it breaks my heart to hear you say you didn't have ambition for a career, as if family was a lesser option. As a mother of two grown ups now, I felt giving up my work path to take care of my children was the right thing to do. I don't regret it in the least, but I suffered nonetheless for my choice, feeling FMO for not being in the productive world as a woman. That is why it breaks my heart when you speak of motherhood as a lesser choice, when actually, it's the most important job one can do. Watching your child makes it clear to me, that you are doing a wonderful job. Such a healthy happy boy. If life on this planet has to change, and it does, as we are in the midst of a massive crisis, our values also need to shift. I know as a woman how hard it is to work out where our place is within the system and stand up for being seen and heard. I feel that through your life example and your storytelling you are achieving both goals. I admire you for finding a path that is true to yourself, your partner and your family. ❤ Love watching your videos.
Thank you so much for your kind words, they really resonate with me. "If life on this planet has to change, and it does, as we are in the midst of a massive crisis, our values also need to shift. " that is SO beautifully stated and inspiring ❤ thank you!!! big hugs xx
You look gorgeous amongst the flowers, Dana muuuuuuuuaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ great video, and it's great to have you back, Dana ❤❤❤❤❤ do you like planting apple trees or something else?
I've been following you guys for a loong time, to be honest this was the video that hit me! the reason might be me also having and raising a 6 months old baby right now. I can soo relate most of the things you mentioned, the challenges, the greatness of the motherhood. this should be a serie about feelings & thoughts & experiences of motherhood or even parenting (including lou?). @peanutapp should be your sponsor 😊 such an amazing record, I'm gonna listen once more when my baby sleeps.
I love your chatting/story telling videos. I watch/listen to your videos while I work/clean/ or journal. I love it. I always learn something new. ❤
I love your sweet take on the positivity of losing yourself in motherhood.
Thank you, Ann-Marie :) means a lot :)
I’m a 50 year old child free woman, never wanted kids, my life couldn’t be more different to yours but I still loved this video 😊 I could listen to you talk about your life, anything really, all day. You have such a calm beautiful presence and such interesting perspectives. Thank you so much for sharing ❤️🇬🇧
This video made me cry. I’ve always wanted to be a mother since I was a child. I’ve also never been that ambitious and want to stay at home and raise children. Society and friends/family make it seem like that’s not enough, that I must want to do/be something MORE. I’ve tried/done so many different career/life paths but none of them I stick with or really give me life. I’ve always felt I’m not enough and I feel guilty for only wanting to be a mom. Thank you so much for sharing your story, it’s really impacted me so deeply and I know when my time comes, I too will be a mom. ❤️ Keep sharing for those out there that need to hear your voice. You are making a huge impact! More women need to hear this and not enough women are speaking about wanting/desiring to be a mom as ENOUGH. It’s ok not to be that “ambitious”. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I watched this after nursing my toddler to sleep! He’s almost 2 years old and I also haven’t slept more than about 3h at a time since his birth 😄
I loved hearing you talk about motherhood. I’ve been watching your channel for many years and have always looked up to you. And now, as a fellow mom, I do so even more. To be honest, you’re raising Max how I aspire to raise my son. Close to nature, close to you.
What a beautiful and poetic video about motherhood. The watermark of this ode to your motherhood spelled your love for Max. Would love to hear Lou's take on fatherhood, how he feels about this shift in your lives and things like co-sleeping and how he came around after not wanting kids (if he feels so inclined of course). I find that fathers are not often given a voice on these matters in the media (whether it be social or other). Once again, thank you for this beautiful window into your family life!
Thank you so much, Peony ❤ I will chat to Lou about that :)
One of the best and most encouraging videos on motherhood I've watched! Please make more like this! Especially loved the content about cosleeping, nursing, EC, etc :)
Dana, I cannot tell you how refreshing it is to hear someone speak so positively and eloquently about the expanse of motherhood and the traditional feminine role ALONG WITH the hard parts. You beautifully articulated (without the cliches) the duality of self sacrifice - stepping out of our life as we knew it - and the beauty in receiving from our children and evolving into our new role as the heart of the family as we learn to care for them. More women starting families need to hear this truth. I will say that multiple children will exponentially accelerate one into the evolutionary process. LOL. I had my 3 children close together and there were many days I thought I could NOT feel more out of control, depleted and used up with no end in sight which resulted in angry parenting too much of the time. Truly… “those days are LOOONG but the years short”. I applaud you for already having a deep understanding of yourself and your process before you started this journey. Mothers need an emotional tool kit to help them navigate, for sure. I wish that I had been a more kind observer and gracious self encourager during such an intense stretch of years when my children were young. Thank you for sharing such a sacred and personal thing.
This is such a beautiful comment, thank you so much, Shannon ❤ haaa you have me laughing (nervous laughing? happy laughing? all the laughing haha) with this "multiple children will exponentially accelerate one into the evolutionary process." Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences!!
FINALLY! Thanks for talking about all these questions and big themes so openly. I have a 1 year old and am having some hard nights as well ( new house, bed, country, lifestyle ) and adored hearing the real life talking of a badass real Mom. Thanks Dana! You are a superstar :)
That really means so much ❤ thank you Andrea!! And sending lots of love and strength to you, tackling all those wonderful, messy things of life :)
Dana, you are so inspiring. Your brilliance and love are so evident in everything you do. Lou, the way you build and teach and provide are so special. Your family is so beautiful. I love you three so much, and love getting to be a part of your journey. This is one of my favorite videos you’ve put out in a while.
That is some truly high praise, Cicadassound ❤thank you so much for those truly kind words ❤ sending you lots of loves and the biggest hugs from all of us!!
Thank you for speaking so beautifully, your words about motherhood are pure warmth.
Being a mom is really my dream and listening to you makes me enjoy it without even being one, you make me see myself reflected in your words. ❤
Never ever too much of hearing you share your thoughts. I "had to" listen twice because I enjoy your perspective.
Your story is special even though it is very different than mine. This doesn't diminish my interest in story. Thanks so much for sharing.
It's wonderful to see another pair who just knew that they wanted kids!
This was such a lovely video to watch. You talking about not having the “traditional” ambition and feeling oddly about saying it aloud but feeling so strongly about being a mum, is something a really resonate with and I don’t know anyone who feels the same. Thank you for talking about it, it’s nice to hear someone who feels similar in a world where it seems if you are not “traditional” career driven something is wrong.
Dana, I've been finding solace in your videos since your film photography series, your channel is such a beautiful, heart place for me. Thank you for being who you are and sharing it all!
Courtney, that honestly means so much to read ❤ like literally feel my heart warm up while reading. Thank you for spending time with us all these years :)
This is such a BEAUTIFUL VIDEO ! I follow you both since the Van life and waw what a journey. Thank you for shring all of this, being so open and vulnerable. ❤❤❤
I loved this chat! Thank you for sharing.
As someone experiencing a particularly challenging period of motherhood, I crave the peace that you seem to have found in your role. Thank you for sharing your beautiful life and the wisdom you've gained over the years
Sending you lots of strength and love, Charlotte ❤
You and Lou are amazing parents. Max gets the best of both worlds. Socialising with family and friends, and breathing fresh air and learning skills. Most of all beautiful memories. What a wonderful story with you and Lou ❤ you are each others person ❤ lou probably didnt want kids till he met you. ❤
Thank you, Rebena ❤❤❤
State of surrender for what life is giving you 🙌🏻 When this point of view is matched with a bit of curiosity about every possible outcome in life, experiences become rich and fulfilling. This video resonates so much with my view of life. Thank you for sharing Dana and Lou.
I have been with you since Spain and stopped watching through the boat thing because it just made me anxious. I know its weird to develop concern over strangers but I just would pray you guys wouldn't be lost at sea. I TOO.. only had to the goal, become a mom. No it doesn't sound fancy and most people might judge because we are expected to have bigger money making goals, but motherhood was my dream. So Dana you are not alone. I live vicariously through you guys because I may never be able to just have a cottage in the woods with my kids.
Dana, I could listen to you for hours. You are so articulate and eloquent. Thank you for these thoughtful answers. Even though I'm childless by choice, I found this really interesting!
That is so cool to hear!! And so kind of you to say, Leslie ❤ thank you!!
Your explanation of having a toddler who is truly still a baby at the same time made me tear up. I have a 20 month old and I feel struggle when I have to explain to my family that even tho my son is doing so well and is learning so fast… he’s still a baby and needs to have moments with me as a baby.💕 Thank you for sharing your experiences as a mother so far! I hope to hear more in the future.
I would love chapters! This is so inspiring to watch.
We loved spending our Sunday morning with you, Dana! We have followed you guys for a long time and feel so aligned with you both on so many things. Although we aren’t ready for kids yet, we are always so inspired by seeing how you choose to parent and the life you are creating for your family. Sending love from Phoenix 💛
Aw thank you both so much!! ❤sending you lots of love too!
All the baby max footy has me teary-eyed
Glad you posted Dana. Looking forward for more chats.❤.
Really enjoyed this chat! I’m a new mom, my girl will be 10 weeks tomorrow. I really appreciated your view of “loosing yourself in motherhood”. I’m trying to lean into the change myself. I still want to be me, but I also know my life will never be the same.
Breastfeeding wasn’t our journey but we are finding other ways to bond. It’s such a raw and life changing experience.
I am so happy to hear this resonated, Rachael :) sending so much love to you, its such a special time. And much love to your little one, too! ❤
I loved the motherhood talk. It looks to me like this place is so much better for your growth. It was nice.
Dana, this video is EVERYTHING I needed to hear. I’ve been ‘battling’ with and surrendering to so many of the things you’ve spoken about here. It has been so refreshing to me to hear this. I’m going to save this video for watching later again and again when I need to hear the voice of someone that feels similarly to me. I don’t hear many voices with similar thoughts to me. X
That truly means soooo much for me to read ❤ so glad it resonates with you, it fills my hear to read that, too. we got this :) x
That was really lovely Dana hearing your journey and perspective. When I started watching your channel you were just moving in to your house in Hawaii, and now I know what came before, those videos are more richer in my memory. It’s great that you and Lou found each other x
Thank you, Lynne ❤ It's so nice to have you along with us :) x
This will definitely be a video that I will save and cherish. I felt emotional by the way you talk about life and your journey to children and an alternative way of living. I resonate so much with wanting to have a 'big life' and it is amazing to see you as a living example of that. ❤
I am so happy to hear that, Charlotte ❤ it really means a lot ❤ biggest hugs
I sooo resonate with the motherhood part! We are still breastfeeding( 15months) we have co slept since birth, we practice attachment parenting. All the things. ❤️ different but it feels so good for us.
Loved this video, and your language surrounding motherhood. I would love to see you release a guided meditation on motherhood and that evolution of expanding who you are. Love, love, loved it!
I'm 21 now and I've been watching your videos for years and years... it feels so fulfilling to watch you become parents so similar to my own. I wasn't brought up off the grid but I was absolutely radically unschooled, and I had a wonderful circle of friends that grew up in a similar way. Now that I'm in college it can be hard to explain to my peers why I love the way I grew up so much, and I doubt sometimes if that's how I should raise my kids (also, totally relate to not really having ambitions, but knowing deep down that you should be a mother. It's so nice to hear someone else say that). My mom didn't realize that she wanted to be a mother until a bit later, but she was similar in not having strong materialistic/professional ambitions, and then finding so much joy in motherhood. She was very passionate about being a full-time stay-at-home mom and unschooling parent, and I'm so grateful for it because it almost feels as if I am naturally connected to myself and nature, while my friends that I've talked to about it are always searching for that connection.
I don't really have a point here, but just wanted to let you know that I love your videos and your parenting/life philosophy. Unschooling was amazing for me (and I was able to transition to college and the workforce really easily) and I hope it continues to be amazing for your family!
Also, so cool to hear about how you have fallen into pretty traditional feminine/masculine roles in a way that seems really healthy. I've grown up in a very leftist and progressive environment and so most of my beliefs align with that, but I've also always wanted to be a homemaker and have a partner who would do the more masculine tasks and take on that mental load, while I take on the mental load of the family and home. I really enjoyed hearing you talk about your experience with that!
“You don’t have to be in a flowy fancy dress to be in touch with your feminine energy”… loved hearing someone else say this. Thanks for putting this video out, in a place where I really needed to hear a few things you shared. Lots of your vids over the years seem to have come just when I’ve needed them to 🫶🏽:)
Yes, please do keep sharing these videos. I love that you've been able to pave your own path in parenthood. We're a little more mainstream than you, but also consistently find ourselves butting up against / reevaluating the social norms. It really is so isolating at times, especially when you get negative feedback that sometimes does make you second-guess what you know in your heart of hearts is right (e.g. my tot and myself are at our best with cosleeping too even when it means more interrupted sleep...yet I get "concerned" peers telling me he'll be too clingy or never learn to sleep through the night...I super doubt it). So, thank you, thank you for sharing and validating alternative lifestyles as being potentially very uplifting and wholesome. Its helped me to stop doubting myself! (I'm working on being as strong as you on holding my ground when I know what we're doing is in the best interest of this unique child, but its so hard sometimes).
Believe me, I find it really hard too sometimes ❤ but you said it so well, when you know in your heart of hearts it is right, thats something to listen to. Thank you so much for your comment, it truly gives me strength, too! Thanks for being a part of this community, and sending the biggest hugs to you ❤
I really enjoyed this Dana! As someone who is hoping to become a mum soon, I love hearing wisdom from other mums. Your lifestyle and outlook is so beautiful 💕
I am fairly new here. Learned about you through Barron and Elsa. I am 62. I am watching this while making my version of turkey, black bean, and pumpkin soup. I am using what I have to use. Having fun with veggies.💚💚💚 I love stories.
This video makes me so sad. I even cried watching this, of mourning the life I dont have. I mean I am happy for you creating your beautiful life and beautiful family. But I am 40 and chronically single and chronically ill. And I want a husband, children and living on land of my own and have the same vision. But I wasn't lucky finding love at 19, so I have been lonely my whole life, unwillingly. Now I am scared I will be to old and never find either love or getting children. I live in the city. I tried moving to the countryside but that ended in catastrophy. I hope I will have a different life soon. You are truly living the dream.
Oh Zindra ❤ I really wish all the very best for you. You are in my heart. You sound like you are carrying a lot of hurt ❤I see you and wish only the best for you xx
Lots of love from me, too, Zindra!
Really liked this chatty video! Would love to hear more about your mind reprogramming experiences!
You are such a brave and wise young mother!
I’ve followed your family semi-silently since your van days, was a loyal subscriber during your Live Creatively challenges, and somewhere around boat life fell away (my husband and I moved to another country and a lot of my watching/listening patterns evolved). Though we are similar people (ED history, prioritizing creative life, husband didn’t initially want kids, new moms) I don’t share the same worldview as you in many areas. However, I can’t tell you how refreshing your take on motherhood is. In particular, your views on “getting lost” in motherhood are so countercultural in a positive way. Personally, I found the newborn stage to be incredibly difficult. It was a period of deep grief over the death of my flowery expectations of what motherhood would be. Around the 3-4 month mark I felt like I came up for air and finally had the perspective to appreciate the sometimes long, lonely days and nights. What an immense gift to witness and nurture the unfolding of a tiny life!
My daughter is almost 2. I stay home with her and was just lamenting to my husband the way people approach me about returning to “work” or how I sheepishly tell my friends I love homemaking as though it isn’t a valid and honorable choice in and of itself. I appreciate your candidness and obvious joy as a mother. It’s been the most meaningful season of my life, and I am so happy it seems to be the same for you.
Dana, this was so special to listen to, thank you so much for sharing all your thoughts ✨ It really helped me to look at some things that I’m been contemplating in a different way and to understand myself a little better as I resonate with much of what you’ve shared with us. I’ve been watching you and Lou, since film camera adventures and it’s so beautiful to follow your family’s journey and to see what a beautiful life you’re building ❤
That means so much that you have been hanging out with us all these years, growing along with us :) thank you. sending lots of love ❤
You can talk about motherhood like this in every video, I would watch it! Thank uou for being such an inspiration talking so positively about motherhood. As a new mom I sometimes stuggle to stay positive in the hard moments and your outlook helps me.
Aww Kirsten thank you so much, that is so sweet of you to say ❤ And congratulations on being a new mom!!
So beautiful! I love your approach to life and your insight. I just shared your video with my niece, who has a baby and pre-schooler. I believe you have really helpful ideas for young mothers, as well as those of us who are older! You're a breath of fresh air.
Aw that is so sweet of you to share our video with your niece! Thank you for the kind words, too, they are really encouraging :) ❤
Everything you say about motherhood is like your speaking my exact words 💕 So validating 🥰
I love your sight of motherhood so much! Thank you for Sharing!
This video brought such warmth to my soul - thank you! I’ve watched you guys since around when I first spent time online in my mid teens (so 6 years now), and I’ve always been inspired by your approach to life and the art you put out into the world, but I’m such a lurker on UA-cam that I’ve never commented until now. Two thoughts I wanted to share: hearing you talk about your journey with Lou was something I could imagine really relating to since I’ve also always wanted a child (so how would I feel if I fell for and wanted to build a life with someone who didn’t?). Secondly, I was homeschooled (started just because my dad didn’t want to stop spending all our time together and learning as we were and continued mostly because of all the musical activities I got involved with). It’s an experience that I’m mostly really grateful for, and I can see that you guys will continue to be absolute pros in your involvement with Max and his learning, so he’s a lucky duck! I just want to say that particularly as a homeschooled only child (but I think this is super important when you have siblings too), it was paramount that my parents set me up with me lots of structured and unstructured time with kids and away from home/parents. This was a community which was thankfully readily available in Ithaca. As a homeschooler it’s easy to get painted as a bit different or isolated, and you just want to make sure that’s not actually the child’s experience. Something else I feel strongly about is the child’s choice; I feel the same about playing an instrument even though I think it’s the bestest! I’m sure you have and will continue to have many resources and opinions as you chart these waters, but I guess I thought mine might be interesting as a homeschooler who’s loved your work for a long while 💚 Wishing you, Lou, and marvelous Max all the best as summer turns to beautiful fall!
Thank you sooooo much for you comment, Kate ❤ It really is so helpful to hear your experiences and insights as a homeschooler!! We really appreciate it, its such a blessing to have such a kind community here to share things like this with us :) And thank you so much for spending time with us all these years, that honestly means so much :) big hugs from all of us xx
Thank you for sharing all this personal and profound things with us, I loved this video ! I hope there will be more :) I am 32 and not a mom yet (which brings some fear from time to time) and I love to hear experiences, stories,etc. about motherhood.
oh I would also really like to know more about the emotion code you mention in the video !
I loved getting to listen to you while I cleaned my whole apartment. I’d love more chats!
Large age gaps between sibbling can be a blessing for ALL. Fully recover energy from the first. Have more one on one with each child because they have difft interests and interractions at varying ages , and difft bedtime !
Less jealousy because older children understand, and get their time with parent too. Transmission of skills between children of large age gap is so fun too.
Easier to let eldest go out with friends qnd have their own life because you’re busy with small one. (Sometime we over protect the eldest child, not seeing them get big... it’s good to send them with aunty or to a friend’s house or let them take a bus as a young teen
This is such an interesting perspective, thank you so much for sharing!! Food for thought :)
I love everything about this. Thank you for sharing your truth ❤
I was hoping you would make a video like this! Thank you!
I’ve always felt exactly the same about having kids. I have a career but it is not my priority. I have always just known that I am meant to be a mother and there’s nothing else that will make me feel totally complete. I don’t have kids yet, so I guess I will find out for sure once I do, but the idea of losing yourself is so strange to me in my mind. I feel “lost” now, and only feel grounded and like myself when I am taking care of and teaching children.
I’m 60 now and had the 2nd of my two sons on my 36th birthday (my other son was born when I was a single mother at 19) and I breast fed until he was 4 years and 3 months old. They didn’t have the term extended breast feeding then. We just called it nursing for a long time. It was so great and I wouldn’t take any of it back. We also had the family bed until he was 10 or so and he is a well adjusted, autonomous, confident young guy living a great life. Live whatever life is intuitive for you and Lou. That’s how there’s no regrets when they’re grown
That is so wonderful to hear, thank you so much for sharing, Robin!! "Live whatever life is intuitive" those are some wonderful words ❤ big hugs from all of us!
Thank you for sharing your lives with us! I really enjoyed this video- feel free to share any time!
Thank you so much for taking the time to share all this. It is so special and it feels so good to hear another mama talking about how deeply amazing it is to become a mom.
I’ve never been happier in my life than since I got pregnant with my baby boy.
I have a question for you though: how did you work on your traumatic birth experience? I’ve been through the same and have been intimidated to work on it…
Thank you again and I wish you and your family all the best.❤
LOVE this!! ❤
I loved this and I needed to hear it too, my bubs just turned 1 year, 2 days ago, its crazy and super emotional ! we had a traumatic start aswell, with him being flown alone to a bigger hospital as we followed in car, me going into pregnancy related heartfailure 3 days later and helicoptered to an even bigger hospital while my husband stayed back with him at the NICU. I sometimes feel like I fail in all aspects of my motherhood, so many first I missed because I was in hospital and even after coming home I had to have help, I got dizzy from my meds and couldnt walk around with him, my heart was so damaged I couldnt have him laying on my chest. and now on the journey of it getting better slowly I feel like I cant keep up with my fast speed crawling boy that just wants to be chased down the hallway but my fitness and body is so broken still and it hurts so badly. Your way of living gives me hope that even in the small things we do together and the fact Im still home and will be for atleast another 6 months Im still making him a good childhood, its just slower paced, and thats okay. Sending hugs from New Zealand, this was just the video I had to see today, thank you.
Oh my gosh, you have been through so much, Franciska ❤ "Im still making him a good childhood, its just slower paced, and that's okay."--That is absolutely OK, you are doing a wonderful job showing up with love ❤ sending sooo much love to you, and your family, over in beautiful New Zealand :)
@@WildWeRoam thank you Dana, that means a lot, we were also told another pregnancy will kill me, so all of a sudden we were also one and done, thats a hard one to deal with aswell, not saying that we would have another but getting the choice taken away is whats awful. And it still hurts, but its in waves now, cause look at all the possibilities we are going to be able to give bubs now that we can center in on him :) Im a only child, so I think observing the sibling relationship good and bad just made me really want to be able to give my son that.
Dana, this was refreshing and felt so genuine. ❤
Thank you so much for sharing and being vulnerable Dana. This was really helpful to me.
Loved this! I started out the video washing dishes and cooking lunch, then finished it while sewing. I want to go back and catch all the visual bits I missed, but this was a perfect chatty video for me today :) Blessings on your little family as we transition into fall and all that comes with it!
that is so cool :) sounds like a wonderful day, thanks for having me be a little part of it! ❤
Loved listening to you, more like this please ❤
I sincerely enjoyed this chat, I appreciate your openness and vulnerability and your decision to build the life that makes YOU and your family happy, to grow and explore, and to share how you experience life. In my eyes we don't need to have ambition to live a life that society tells us is ' successful'...we only need the drive and willingness to explore and to grow, to create happiness that then is felt by the world...and to share. And you encompass all of that. Thank you for being you. ❤🎉🙏
Monika, thank you SO much ❤ i feel truly seen by your comment. I couldnt agree more. Thank you, you put such a big smile on my face ❤ lots of love to you!
@@WildWeRoam Much love to YOU too, dear Dana! I don't comment very often and I think I have never commented on your channel, but I have been following your journey for years...since van life. I love how you are embracing adventures and motherhood, healthy living, creativity and meditation - and life in general. Enjoy your lovely family. 😍❤💚💙💛
The best Video Yet!! I have listened to you twice. So many things in common. I would love to unschool but I am slowly realizing I don't enjoy mothering that much.. But I feel I could do some of the things you mentioned in these videos.. LOVE THIS so much.. Thank you Thank you
thank you for sharing all this thoughts! it was perfect timing for me. I'm a mother of toddler and I love this role for myself. but I have hard time lately because of my health issues. you helped me to change some perspective, thanks❤
I would love any book recommendations on motherhood that helped you get through everything! This video was needed
Enjoyed your video so much. You are so genuine and its comforting to know you are living a life thats true to you and ur family. I think you are very talented, not sell yourself short. You bring a lot to the table. Proud of all your accomplishments keep inspiring us all. 🎉
A beautifully spoken experience ❤️ thanks for sharing Dana
This a great life testimony! And, such a cute little kid! You three are blessed! GOD bless!
You always speak from your Heart❤.
I absolutely love this video ❤️ Such an amazing momma, so inspiring! What are your top ten books?
this was so interesting. I felt like you Lou seemed sort of... traumatized? after the sailing trip the Bahamas. It sounds like there is a story there. Whatever happened I'm so glad you guys are on the other side and enjoying your homesteading family life so much. I've watched you for years, it's weird to say but I'm so proud of both you. You live life so genuinely.
What a beautiful video! My experience was very different, as a young single mother, though I suppose in my late 40s it's not entirely too late to try again! ha. Don't think I'll be doing that, but this video was so heartwarming to see. I especially love how you describe the division of roles and responsibilities with Lou, and how your connection is stronger than ever. You each thrive separately and you love doing life together So beautiful, and warms me to see. Thank you for the heartfelt share.
Dana you are a beautiful mom. I love your content and watching your growth.
Beautiful beautiful beautiful. I came to motherhood late my third and last child I didn’t have till I was 42 and then my husband left and my first child is disabled so things weren’t easy. It was tough solo special needs parenting in the moments but I never ever became unable to see the magic and honour and gift in it all. Even in the hardest moments I always had a little voice saying in my mind …. When these days are done you will want even this hard moment back. And that’s truth! My kids are about to fly the nest soon and I am so grateful I never took one day with them for granted without seeing the gift and magic and wondour of it all ❤️❤️❤️❤️
That is so beautiful ❤ thank you so much for sharing, CandySoul :) x
I loved this so much, I love all of the videos you do, but this was different in such a great way. Thank you for your positive perspective on motherhood/womanhood. Thank you for not pushing the narrative that men and women are exactly the same and family/work should be split 50/50. We each have god-given strengths and weaknesses in personality and also in gender. There is nothing wrong with working to your strengths, and women and men absolutely have different strengths. If you would ever consider sharing your birth experience (of course only if you're comfortable doing so) I would really find that interesting and how you grew from the experience would be so beneficial for other people to hear. Mum of 3 here, and absolutely having kids is experiencing trauma to some degree (and experiencing crazy joy as well), thank you for sharing the Emotion Code, definitely going to look into that!
Share more I love it! Thank you for sharing
I remember being so happy for you that Lou changed his mind, because I seen how much you wanted to expand your family. So glad you got to keep Lou and gain Max 🥰🩵 I resonate with so much of what you've said, especially the birthing experience not being what we hoped for, and that somehow transforming us.
Interesting about your conversation around acupuncture! I started acupuncture four months ago and I’ve found it’s calmed me (and helped my migraines). I completely believe if we take care of ourselves as the mother, our children will follow that calm energy.
Thank you for the reminder to slow down and take everything in. You should write a book about motherhood.
Hiiiiiii Max!!!!!! ❤ love from Ontario Canada 🇨🇦
Great video Dana, I love that it’s a long one!!! ❤
Thank you for sharing ❤
Thank you for sharing! I found your story very encouraging. ❤
Lovely thoughts - thanks for the extended video podcast - cheers
You are the mother I may have been if I lived in different circumstances. But alas, I didn’t become the mother you are and I have many regrets, so it was so wonderful to listen to something some part of my soul resonates with so loudly. I’d love to know how you processed the birth and generally how you are able to deal with hard things. I’m assuming years of practice, but I’d love it if you shared some accessible practices (not in-person retreats) that have worked best for you to build resilience.
I loved, loved this video. I didn't actually watch much, I mostly listened while sketching but it was so warm and beautiful still. I'd love it if you could talk more about motherhood, you seem so grounded in this role! I'm in a similar situation as you used to- I would love to be a mother but my husband doesn't want children. I've done my share of crying and processing and I'm pretty much prepared to be an auntie to my friends' kids (I'm all a birth doula so I get my baby fill that way) but it makes me smile to know that other people were able to figure out the answer to this problem in a way that makes everybody happy.
Dana,
I can’t even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this video even though my children are 28 and 30 or soon to be I thoroughly enjoyed the honesty and all of the talk about self-help and self-care. I was 23 when I had my first child and then 25 when I had my second child and I wish that I would’ve been the person. I am today back then , but it was very difficult. My first child was autistic and he taught me so much about life, but with it came a lot of frustration and being that his then father was not as hands-on as I was as you can imagine because I was so young I felt so overwhelmed. I myself had an eating disorder in my 20s and 30s it was anorexia and it was very difficult along with anxiety and depression. I just wish that I would’ve had the knowledge and, the maturity that you and Lou have. So with that said, just know that you guys are so much further ahead than so many other younger couples and you’re doing such a wonderful job. ❤ I appreciate you sharing everything that you did today and I would love to hear more videos about self-help and a lot of the books that you’ve read I myself kind of addicted to self-help books and now turning 54 soon I feel like I’ve only just begun to heal. Sorry for the long rant, but all this to say keep doing what you’re doing. There’s always people out there benefiting!
I loved listening to this. My fiancé and I have a ton of similar experiences. We’re living in a single 40 ft shipping container we converted in Florida. We loved hearing your perspective ❤ and hope to hear many many more of these chats :)
loved this video so much. thank you dana.
I love seeing your evolution and expansion! Abraham Hicks vibes I get when I hear you speak
I love your videos. I discovered your channel very recently with the springs stuff. Your lifestyle is something I would see myself doing. My kids are old now, almot out of the house but my wife and I are looking for a little cozy country house where we can have more space for chickens and nature stuff.
Congrats for this introspection and journey.
46:54 Could you expand on unschooling vs homeschooling and what that means for you? I hear varying things about unschooling from not teaching children how to read or do math to basically homeschooling but not using the classic books.
I fed my daughter until she was three it was fantastic I loved it, do it for as long as you can. My daughter and I are so close she is healthy and strong and very intelligent both emotionally and academically ❤I love it when you chat heaps. Hay just get pregnant now there is never a right time and you and Lou will work it out like you always do with all that you do.
Dana, thank you for sharing. I have a question about your transition to omnivorous diet. How did you reconcile your views on animal welfare with your body wanting more animal products? Do you source your meat and dairy from only known sources? Do you butcher your own chickens etc? Please don't think I'm judging, I'm just curious. Your land and journey are beautiful.
Dearest Dana, it breaks my heart to hear you say you didn't have ambition for a career, as if family was a lesser option. As a mother of two grown ups now, I felt giving up my work path to take care of my children was the right thing to do. I don't regret it in the least, but I suffered nonetheless for my choice, feeling FMO for not being in the productive world as a woman. That is why it breaks my heart when you speak of motherhood as a lesser choice, when actually, it's the most important job one can do. Watching your child makes it clear to me, that you are doing a wonderful job. Such a healthy happy boy. If life on this planet has to change, and it does, as we are in the midst of a massive crisis, our values also need to shift. I know as a woman how hard it is to work out where our place is within the system and stand up for being seen and heard. I feel that through your life example and your storytelling you are achieving both goals. I admire you for finding a path that is true to yourself, your partner and your family. ❤ Love watching your videos.
Thank you so much for your kind words, they really resonate with me. "If life on this planet has to change, and it does, as we are in the midst of a massive crisis, our values also need to shift. " that is SO beautifully stated and inspiring ❤ thank you!!! big hugs xx
@@WildWeRoam Thank you for showing us a path of this change.
You look gorgeous amongst the flowers, Dana muuuuuuuuaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ great video, and it's great to have you back, Dana ❤❤❤❤❤ do you like planting apple trees or something else?
I've been following you guys for a loong time, to be honest this was the video that hit me! the reason might be me also having and raising a 6 months old baby right now. I can soo relate most of the things you mentioned, the challenges, the greatness of the motherhood. this should be a serie about feelings & thoughts & experiences of motherhood or even parenting (including lou?). @peanutapp should be your sponsor 😊 such an amazing record, I'm gonna listen once more when my baby sleeps.
I think you could say your ambitions are in motherhood! That is an ambition! 13:10
That is such a lovely way to reframe it, thank you ❤