I’m a mama to two kids living in the Bulkley Valley, BC. My daughter, Lily was born in 2003 and my son, Leif was born in 2007. We love being outside and are always looking for our next adventure. We’re equally interested in exploring all new and creative pursuits via books and internet.

I often feel at odds with what seems like irrational and unsustainable life choices of those around me and society at large. I’m hoping this blog will give me the opportunity to express some of my frustrations and share interesting and proactive alternatives.

I’m inspired by The Continuum Concept, Non Violent Communication, Unconditional Parenting, and Hold Onto Your Kids: Why Parents Matter. I strive to live life simply and naturally and without coercion.

“Live your life each day as you would climb a mountain. An occasional glance toward the summit keeps the goal in mind, but many beautiful scenes are to be observed from each new vantage point. Climb slowly, steadily, enjoying each passing moment; and the view from the summit will serve as a fitting climax for the journey.” -Harold V. Melchert

I’m also hoping to connect with others who are like minded and have similar interests! I’d love to hear what you think! Comments and/or discussion are very much encouraged and appreciated!

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45 Responses to About Annie

  1. Shai says:

    Hi!
    I’m a midwifery student and birth junkie and I love your blog ! I am thinking of starting my own. Can you tell me what theme you used in WordPress?

    Keep it up !
    amelia

  2. Annie says:

    Thanks Amelia! I had a number of themes I found online that I loved. I can’t remember the name of this particular one. Wouldn’t matter too much anyway since my dear friend helped me tweak it to suit my tastes. Sorry about that! Blogging has been really rewarding to me so I hope you give it a try!

  3. Dawn says:

    I have a 14 month old son and came to your blog by way of searching the Continuum Concept. I have just started reading it and have found it really amazing. I live in Toronto. I wish I had people around me who were doing at least a few of the off path things I seem to be interested in (EC, raw food diet, and definitely natural parenting). I guess we have to trust that we will each find our tribe.
    I wish I had more time to read, but I hope to get back to your blog and read some more. Thank you for writing it. I somehow feel less alone.

  4. Annie says:

    Dawn- Always so good to meet another like minded person! I hear you about wishing it was more often done in real life though.

    Are you a member of the Continuum Concept support group. It’s without a doubt the most meaningful online message sharing group I’ve been apart of- even if I am behind on my reading. It’s also a great way to get connected with locals with similar values. Also, someone relatively close by to you is Sarah- http://sweetthingdesigns.typepad.com/

  5. Hi Annie,
    I’d love to ‘talk’ more with you! About EC. Thanks also for introducing me to the green hour blog – I signed up there too.

    I’d like to post about your ec contest / giveaway to my list of members – almost 700 atm, might give you a bit of a hit boost, LOL. And on the FAcebook EC groups and a few forums. (I pop around the EC world a lot)

    My son is 4, my baby is 11 months, my journey into EC is here:
    http://www.tribalbaby.org
    We sound a lot alike in interests, I look forward to reading more of your blog now that I have discovered it.

    Take Care,
    Charndra

  6. KC says:

    Hi Annie,

    I just came upon your blog and really love it. I’m two and half months away from having my first child and it’s really nice to find someone who has already leaped in head first into natural parenting. Please keep writing!

    Thanks
    KC

  7. Alejandra says:

    Hi Annie,

    I’m an editor at Ohdeedoh and saw your post on your empathy poster. I would love to feature your post on our site. Please let me know if you would be interested.

    I’m sorry to contact you via your comments, but I didn’t see an e-mail link anywhere.

    Have a great Sunday.

    – Alex

  8. Monica says:

    Followed a rabbit trail and found you! I’m in BC as well and I’m enjoying your blog as it seems we have much in common.

    All the best,
    Monica

  9. Annie says:

    I’m so glad you did, Monica! It’s good to meet you!

  10. Lise says:

    Annie, I don’t remember how I ended up at your blog, but I’m so glad did! It’s wonderful to read such thoughtful posts from a like-minded mama. I’m poking through your archives and nodding in agreement as I read. :-)

  11. Rachel Wolf says:

    Hi Annie,
    I wish I remembered how I came upon you. Regardless, I have enjoyed your blog immensely. I think we live in parallel worlds, unschooling, ec-ing, NVCing our 4 year spaced kids. My blog (www.lusaorganics.typepad.com) also now includes the NV Parenting and ed ring link. Thanks for the lead.

    Peace and blessings from a kindred-mama spirit,
    Rachel

  12. Zoeyjane says:

    Your sister pointed me this way after I mentioned unschooling on Twitter. I’m in Vancouver, too. I’m going to go dive into your archives, now.

  13. juliettek71 says:

    I came across your blog last fall when my youngest son, Jonah (3) and I were going through a low point in our relationship. I felt as though I had abandoned my goals and had given in to more “coercive” tactics which weren’t even effective. I found your words comforting and a reminder of the parent I was but somehow lost my way. As with all things in parent/child hood, there are ebbs and flows and with your help, Jonah and I have found balance and peace. We are both happy and find compromise on a daily basis.
    Occasionally I find myself witness to parenting that gives me pause and I think to myself “I need some Annie” to remind me that there are sensible parents among us! Thank you Annie.

    -Juliette

  14. GP says:

    I think you’d love joyous birth if you don’t already know of it ;c)

    http://www.joyousbirth.info/forums/

    xxx

  15. L says:

    Your blog is very inspiring!

  16. Rosina says:

    Hi :)
    I’ve been enjoying reading your blog and came by way of Debbie’s (the loving path). Love your photos! I was thinking the scenery looked somewhat similar to mine when I realized where you are located *grin*. We’re on Vancouver Island and my SIL actually used to live in the Charlottes.

    We’re a co-sleeping, homeschooling, grain grinding, eco loving crunchy family and I’m looking forward to popping by for another visit :)
    Have a lovely week!

  17. miranda says:

    Hi Annie
    I stumbled upon your blog and just spend over 2 hours reading while I should really do other things! ;-) I am very interested in your ideas on parenting. I am at the moment searching for a different way in parenting. I have been feeling lately that our parenting style doesnt feel right and it makes me feel very insecure to be honest! I think your blog might have put me on the right track, thanks so much! I am going to the continuum concept forum now – will definetely come back to your blog soon!

    Thanks again

    Miranda

  18. Helen Truran says:

    Hi Annie,

    Jo forwarded on your blog to me. So fun to read your stories and impressions of Prince Rupert. Many of your experiences were similar to mine. I am so pleased to see how you are making the most of the area and what it has to offer. We will be in PR for 2 weeks early July. I hope that we can connect.
    Keep writing and caturing such amazing photos of you and your family enjoying the north. I love the photos of Lucy Island and dodge cove! Have you been to Welcome Harbour? Hunt’s Inlet.

    I would love to hear more about growing a garden in the north and educating your children in the north (especially in PR).
    Keep writing. I love it!

    ~Helen

  19. maria says:

    annie i was looking to try to email you… i have a few parenting questions….i have two sons gennaro 8 months and joey 28 months. i came across your blog and am sooo inspired!!! so my 28 month joey is very rough hitting biting etc…. and always kicking screaming and hitting his little brother…. i am at a loss i find myself hurt and frustraeted!! we have tried timeouts and it seems like it is making the problems worse he is getting frustrated and sad! i come from a mother who was controlling and resorted to hitting for disipline… i did not want to be that way so time outs sounded good to me as i was reading your blog it was encouraging to see your way of mohering. i am hoping for encouragement.. advice…. your thoughts… books websites anything! also recently i became a stay at home mother and am interested in unschooling! any advice on where to begin? i feel as though i am an outcast in my family and circle of friends…. both of my sons co sleep and have no “set scheadule” where as everyone else is strict about routines and cribs! when i read your blog i feel like i am doing the best thing for my boys and i desperstly want to pour my heart into theirs! where do i begin?????? i feel as though my parents were about themselves!!!! i am about my children! help!!!!

  20. Annie says:

    Thank you so much for your kind words, Maria! Blogging is so rewarding for me too. This weekend was so much fun! I’ll email you privately as well.

    It sounds like you’re doing to best you can with what you have. It’s not easy parenting when we can only go by what we already know (how we were raised or what we see around us) or don’t have support to do things differently. When it comes to lacking in support, I hope you can get to a place where you can have confidence with your choices and are able to let family and friends who think they should tell you you aren’t doing a good enough job that their advice and non support isn’t needed or helpful. I’m willing to talk about my choices if there is genuine interest but I’m not willing to justify or argue those choices to people who only want to convince me I’m wrong. It’s especially difficult with family but we all obviously want the best for the child but have different ideas of what is best. It would be nice if your family and friends respected and trusted that you were able to do what’s best for your children. Your aunt may believe it’s safest if your child sleeps in a crib, but she has probably not read all the information out there that shows that it is safe, how important it is to the child and how much easier it is to parent if they sleep with you. This is a great site for how to handle friends and family. http://www.deafhomeschool.com/essentials/decision/family.html

    I would suggest that you worry less about entertaining your children. I think being bored is often an indication that too much time is being spent keeping them busy and entertained and they haven’t had the opportunity to create their own fun and play. That’s not to say ignore or don’t play with your child, of course but allowing them to decide on their own time spent might be worthwhile. Sit back and watch, say or direct less, see if your children can come up with their own ideas and solutions to things. If they are hesitant and insist on your involvement, be there for them but try and encourage them to share their ideas.

    Discipline is so tough. I would suggest that you try and remember in the moment that not only do time outs feel bad for everyone, but that they won’t work. They won’t work. They won’t work. Unless what you want to happen is to hurt your child the same you are angry in the moment but that doesn’t make anything better. It’s SO so so hard if it’s the only strategy you know or can think of in the moment. My heart goes out to you. I think what you need is a change of perspective and some new strategies you could try when things are hard.

    Scott Noelle is a wonderful writer who offers a daily inspiration parenting email. He also has a forum for connecting with others and asking questions.
    http://www.enjoyparenting.com/get-your-daily-groove

    There are SO many great articles on specific topics here at the Natural Child Project. I’d highly recommend checking these out.
    http://www.naturalchild.org/articles/
    http://www.naturalchild.org/articles/living_with_children.html
    http://www.naturalchild.org/articles/gentle_guidance.html
    http://www.naturalchild.org/inbal_kashtan/

    Some of my favourite books you may enjoy are:
    Parenting From Your Heart by Inbal Kashtan
    Unconditional Parenting by Alfie Kohn
    Playful Parenting by Lawrence Cohen
    If Life Is A Game, Here Are The Rules

    A few random links you may enjoy:
    http://www.naturalchild.org/guest/linda_passmark.html
    http://www.naturalchild.org/advice/q58.html
    http://www.lifelearningmagazine.com/about.html
    http://www.magicalchildhood.com/articles/4yo.htm
    http://www.besthomeschooling.org/

    I hope this helps in some way!
    Warmly,
    Annie

  21. insiya says:

    dear annie,

    i just chanced upon your blog today, looking for a recipe for the rebar choc. chip cookies as i’ve lent my copy of the rebar book to a friend. and I’m so happy to have found your blog. I’m a yoga teacher, recently moved from vancouver to ucluelet and soon to be mom – just past my first trimester – pregnant with our first child and I’ve been looking for resources and information on “natural” parenting… so many of the topics you write about. We struggle with many of the same issues around organic produce here as you seem to in PR, but we are fortunate as there are a few good local farms and especially right now in the summer, we somehow manage to get quite creative with local produce. anyhow, i just wanted to say hello and thank you. please keep writing!

  22. Annie, I can’t seem to find an email link, so hopefully you will get this.

    I have been following your wonderful photos on flickr and was wondering…

    Would you let me interview you for The Magnifying Glass?

    I could just send you a few questions via email and then you could send them back with a few photos (or I could just steal a few of the many over on flickr).

    Would you be interested?

    Much love,

    Eren

  23. hi annie

    do you know the simplicity parenting book and website? if no, take a look! i saw the author speak a few weeks ago and it was as if for the first time i truly heard someone speak about the type of parent i want to me.

    would love to hear your thoughts!

    alex

  24. nadine says:

    Hi, I’ve come here through rainsoaked. I’m a stay at home mom of three and breastfeeding. I’ve so enjoyed reading your posts about breastfeedng.
    I will certainly be coming back for more reading. thanks.

  25. Hillary says:

    Hi Annie :-)

    Had to come say hi because so many of our interests and philosophies overlap. Thanks for being amazing.

    warmly,

    Hillary

  26. Annie says:

    So sorry for the delay in reply to many of you!

    Thank you so much for the Hellos! It’s always nice to meet new people and know who’s reading. I was just talking this morning about what I get out of blogging and how good it feels to be able to connect with like minded people from all around the world.

    Alex- I do know the simplicity parenting book but have yet to read it. I imagine I’d love it. Thank you for reminding me to check it out.

  27. Samantha says:

    I’ve come across your blog before, and I like it, Refreshing like mama-om’s. This is all so new to me. I’ve found the rabbit hole in so many different aspects of my life and they all come together in people like you, organic sister and mama-om who was the first one i found. I feel like i have a long way to go before i can live free.
    so much structure in place socially and in our minds to overcome… i really want to move closer to the Island ( I’m in fort st john)
    ah. we will get there! :) thanks for writing its nice to draw inspiration from others.

  28. Annie says:

    Thank you for saying hi, Samantha!

  29. Lise says:

    Greetings from the Cariboo/Chilcotin
    and Vancouver Island.
    Thank-you for sharing…

  30. henna says:

    hi annie! i´m through 50 pages on continuum concept and new to all this. i´m not quite sure how to apply this ideology to everyday situations. do you have suggestions or can you tell where to look for examples because i´m getting a bit confused. i´m not sure how i should react when my 2,5 year old is being rough on her little sister (1 year). or when she is throwing the laundry all over the place which i just organized. or when i´m doing a little yoga session in the morning and they are climbing all over me. i think it´s cute but should they learn to respect the adult activity or is it fine for them to interrupt. what about procrastination while dressing up? i for sure realize that i´ve been too child centered, too many choices and too many questions, probably too mach talking all together. now i rather go on singing while doing my tasks and i try not to be interfered by “i want this or that”-testing. i glad i found your plog. it looks lovely!!! so i think i´m gonna dive into it now. oh, one more question… you are home with your kids, aren´t you? how do you find the time for all that reading?

  31. Annie says:

    I enjoyed the Continuum Concept a great deal. It definitely inspires the lifestyle I’ve chosen to live. Child centerdness can be a complicated concept. Playing with your child, for example, doesn’t automatically mean that you are being child centered. Your daily routines involve your children! They need love, connecting and nurturing. I think not being child centered means that you live life with everyone’s needs and wants taken into consideration- not just yours or not just child’s. I think a lot of parenting practices are often one or the other.

    You might find some great insight and strategies on children biting here:
    Biting In The Toddler Years and
    Looking Past the Behavior

    I often think that a shift in perspective helps us come up with solutions to issues we’re dealing with. Throwing the magnets off the fridge is a good example for this. Is there a problem with taking the magnets off the fridge and throwing them all around? This is pretty typical, age appropriate behaviour. I’ve always tidied up the house on my own (occasionally asking the kids for help, but not insisting on it) because I’m the one that notices the mess and prefers a tidier house. I would suggest that if you don’t like the magnets all over the floor that you simply pick them up when she’s finished with them. You could always use a playful approach to try and include her in the clean up. The fact that my children willingly help tidy with me most of the time and sometimes on their own, I think is because there’s never been a power struggle over the task. It’s simply something I do occasionally to put the house back in order and I bet my kids notice the peace I feel when things are tidy. In giving up the idea that ‘they made the mess, they should clean it up’, I don’t feel resentful that I was the one that eventually cleaned up and and you don’t have to struggle to try and make them do something they will resist simply because you are insisting on it.

    I like to do yoga on a semi regular basis and my son would also love to climb all over me! This can be very frustrating, which is the opposite result you hope to gain from yoga! I found offering a bath mat for my son to use as a yoga mat next to me was a great strategy. I told him he’s welcome to join me if he likes but I’d like some space to do it on my own. Of course he didn’t always remember or comply and would end up all over me, but I always tried to remain in the moment and cuddle back. Yoga sometimes took longer or took a complete backseat until my husband was home. In changing my expectations around the yoga session, I remain calm and peaceful when it gets sidetracked, and sometimes those loving embraces with my son were what I needed to most.

    I totally agree that we as parents would do well to talk less and listen more! Certainly less “directing”.

    Yes, I’m home with my kids! I read a lot when I was nursing and before I sleep at night. I also read in the day while the kids also read or are playing. Reading on the computer is harder- for everyone. The kids have no trouble with me reading a book but just to sit at the computer is like I’m too much tuned out. Finding the time isn’t easy. I’m replying to you now in the early morning when my kids are still sleeping and I’ll pop on the computer throughout the day here and there. I take the moments when I can!

    You should consider joining the online Continuum Concept support group. It was without a doubt the most meaningful online message sharing group I was apart of in my daughter’s early years. I still read the messages but don’t participate as much. It’s a great way to get connected with locals with similar values and there are years of extensive archives you can search through.

    Some of my thoughts where I mention child centeredness:
    Child Led Living = Child Centeredness ?
    AP Past Three

  32. Jen B says:

    ANNIE! Hi, I’m Jen in Clearwater and I hear you are amazing. Please email me :D (This comment may sound slightly desperate, but I really am excited to get to know you – Rae has told me many wonderful things about you!)

  33. Lianne says:

    Hi Annie,

    I stumbled across your blog as I was looking to see if I could find Wendy and Lutz online. I knew them years ago when I lived in Rupert and they crossed my mind and I wondered how they were doing. I love their house – it’s so them.

    I am also a long time student of Gordon Neufeld – so I’m pleased to see you mention his book. Keep spreading the word on intuitive parenting!

  34. Annie says:

    Thanks, Lianne. Wendy and Lutz are wonderful people! I hope you reconnect with them. I can send a message to them if you need me to; just let me know.

    Annie

  35. Katherine Gee says:

    Hi Annie

    Wonderful blog and philosophy of living!
    I’d like to support stopping Shell’s mine project and other non-renewable energy projects in the Tahltan traditional territory – if you have info about this I’d greatly appreciate it.

    For the earth
    Katherine

  36. Annie says:

    Thank you, Katherine! Here are a few links you can check out for how you can get more involved!

    Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition
    http://www.skeenawatershed.com/

    Friends of Wild Salmon
    http://friendsofwildsalmon.ca/campaigns/detail/sacred_headwaters_campaign

    The facebook group: Save Our Sacred Headwaters
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/19291951144/

  37. Sharon Willis says:

    Hi!
    I stumbled across your blog and enjoyed it so I decided to read the “About Annie” page. I was so surprised to learn you live in Prince Rupert! My father was born (1932) and raised there! I live in Southern California but had the pleasure of visiting there in 1979 when I was 12. I remember PR being so green and gorgeous! I also remember totem poles! I’ll be sure to read your blog often as I try to slow down my life. I work in Superior Court as a court reporter in juvenile delinquency cases and have two boys (13 and 4). I am working on simplifying things in our crazy world. So happy to have found you!

  38. Annie says:

    It’s certainly a small world! I bet PR has changed a lot since you were here. It would have been a thriving and relatively big place at the time. With less fish in the ocean these days it’s become a smaller and slower community. I wonder if you’ll ever seen it again? Perhaps only through my images. Thank you for getting in touch! Simplifying life is something I’m always working at. It’s a worth goal to work for.

  39. Joanne says:

    Hi Annie:
    I’m currently having a little trouble with my Husqvarna however it’s quite old and very well used. Mine is a Husqvarna 6430 (the same as yours in the picture however mine is orange) and I it bought new in 1975 when my children were 2 and 4. At the time I thought $600 was a huge price to pay for a sewing machine but the shop owner told me that I had many years of sewing ahead of me and it was a good investment. How right she was!!! I lived in the Yukon and in those years we were all stay-at-home moms and very domestic. I made all my kids clothes from parkas and jeans to skating cosutmes and draperies. The $600 price tag was money well spent because this is the first time I’ve ever had a problem with it so I’ve certainly got my money’s worth!

  40. Annie says:

    That would be a lot of money back then, Joanne but such a great investment. They don’t make them like they used to!

  41. Earlray says:

    Hi,

    I’m creating an infographic on ”Top 100 Food Blogs To Follow in 2013” and I’m looking to mention your blog (http://annie.paxye.com) in it. Would you be interested in publishing the infographic within your blog?

    Please feel free to ask any questions. I’d be waiting for your kind reply.

    Regards,
    Earl Ray

  42. Annie says:

    Thank you for considering my blog! I’m not sure what an infographic is or what it would mean to publish it within my blog but would be open to more information about this.

    Thank you, Annie

  43. Amber says:

    Loving this blog and looking forward to following along.

  44. Annie says:

    Thank you, Amber!

  45. Sonja says:

    Thanks for this post – very interesting. My LO is already 9 months and started on solids around 7 months – although it’s been relatively slow -and just following her pace. I was wondering what you thought, or if you’d read anything, regarding the recommendation to give kids potentially allergenic foods (eg: nuts) prior to 1 year, as it seems that if kids are introduced these foods early – they will be less likely to develop allergies to them.

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