This Monday I would like to introduce my virtualfriend Ashley Marsh.
Ashley is a badass Bay-area blogger who is originally from Utah. She has two beautiful little boys, Cash (4) and Tate (22 months). She is a full-time student pursuing a Ph.D. in psychiatry. Ashley started blogging as a way to vent some of her anger and frustration while she was suffering from postpartum depression and anxiety. She continues to post about anxiety, depression, feminism, day-drinking, abortion, politics, hall passes, and all of the other things Mommy Bloggers aren’t supposed to write about at A Vodka Kind of Mom. I highly recommend you follow her blog, because you never know what kind of genius will fall into your inbox. You can also find her on Instagram and Facebook.
1. Tell me about your first tattoo? Your favorite tattoo? Would you get EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM again?
My first tattoo was a very small crown behind my ear. I was terrified to get it done so I smoked a little weed and had a few drinks before hand. I could do this because my then boyfriend was a tattoo artist. I got to lay in my bed and watch Jersey Shore. It didn’t hurt at all, and not because I wasn’t sober, it is just not a painful area. My favorite tattoo is probably the bird I have on my hip. It sort of resembles a Phoenix but it’s a mixture of blues and purples with a long feathery tail that goes onto my butt and the head comes up over my hip close to my stomach. I would get them all again. I have some with my ex-boyfriend but I don’t mind. I never tattooed his name or anything like that and they always make for good stories.
2. How are you raising your boys to be feminists?
With my boys only being 4 and 22 months they don’t understand the concept of feminism and I can’t preach that to them because they will just ignore me. Instead, when my 4-year-old makes comments about how boys are stronger, I tell them mama Annie and mama Tiff (two friends of ours who do body building competitions) are very strong, maybe even stronger than daddy! I also make sure they know the concept behind consent. If my boys don’t want to play a certain way I stop immediately. My husband doesn’t follow this rule and it drives me insane. I’m constantly getting on his ass about it, but he never listens. I teach them it’s okay to play with girls, to play with girls things, to paint their toes if they want, to break gender norms because they are being trained those things, they aren’t true.
I truly do believe the best thing I can do is show my children through my own actions about raising men and women up, treating all genders, races, and sexual orientations equally, as well as fighting for equality and inclusivity for everyone. I know I sound like one of those crazy hippy moms from the Bay Area, and I kind of am in a way, but I think it’s important to raise my boys this way. Any and all suggestions are welcome! I am still so new to this parenting thing.
3. It’s the PTA Bakesale: homemade, store bought, or NOPE?
Store bought for sure! I may put it on a fancy plate to try and disguise my store bought lazy ness. However, if my husband is willing I would enlist him to make his delicious pecan pie.
BabyCostsMoney 