I usually don’t judge other parents—everyone’s doing their best. But this situation really surprised me.
Last weekend, I went to a desert trail park with my friend Amina and her baby girl, Liorah. Amina is a super chill, earth-loving vegan mom who makes her own almond milk and grows kale on her balcony—totally holistic.
While we were watching the sunset and catching up, Liorah started crawling on the sand. Then she picked up a small rock and put it in her mouth.
I froze, thinking, “Did she really just eat that?”
Amina laughed and said it was natural exploration, and that mineral exposure was good for her gut flora.
Gut flora? That made me question everything. I’d heard of sensory play and exploring, but minerals from dirt and rocks? I admired Amina’s dedication to natural living but felt uneasy. Was this “too natural” and potentially unsafe?
Liorah kept grabbing handfuls of sand and rocks, chewing on them as Amina calmly enjoyed the sunset, seemingly unconcerned.
Trying not to sound critical, I asked if it was really okay. Amina assured me that exposure to dirt and natural elements strengthens immune systems, saying that today’s world is too sanitized.
I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or worry. While I know about probiotics and natural foods, eating rocks felt risky. Could it make her sick?
I debated stepping in, maybe distracting Liorah with something safer, but Amina seemed so confident that I held back.
Then Liorah spat out the rock, and Amina called her a little explorer learning textures and flavors.
Still, I wondered if this natural approach might have hidden risks.
In the following days, I kept thinking about it, torn between respecting Amina’s choices and fearing recklessness.
When we met again, I finally asked her directly if she really thought it was safe.
She explained she’d researched it thoroughly and believed kids benefit from some dirt exposure to build immunity, since modern life is over-sanitized.
I voiced concerns about bacteria and vulnerabilities in babies, and she reassured me that our bodies evolved to handle such exposures, and outdoor play generally promotes better health.
Though not fully convinced, I sensed her belief was genuine, and realized balance might be key.
A few weeks later, Amina messaged me, thanking me for the honest talk. She admitted she looked into it more and decided to limit certain exposures, adding homemade fruit and veggie purées for Liorah. I was surprised but relieved.
It wasn’t about being right, but about doing what’s best for our kids. I realized it’s okay to disagree and challenge each other—it’s how we grow.
Since then, Amina’s holistic parenting became more balanced. Liorah is thriving, spending plenty of safe time outdoors and eating well.
What amazed me most was that Amina started a community group for parents trying to balance nature and safety, turning her learning into support for others.
In the end, I learned it’s okay to question friends, and equally important to listen and be open to change.
That’s the beauty of friendship: challenging us, helping us grow, and leading us to new paths.
So if you ever wonder whether to speak up or stay quiet, remember: speaking with care and respect can make all the difference.
If this story resonates, share it with someone who might need to hear that being a voice of reason and understanding matters.
Let’s keep supporting each other—no matter where we stand.