This is a list for mothers in MN, especially in the Twin Cities area, to form playgroups and friendships with other mothers with similar parenting philosophies. The parenting philosphy embraced by this list is often referred to as natural, alternative, or instinctive mothering. It includes attachment parenting principles such as responding to baby's cries, slingwearing and in-arms parenting, breastfeeding, co-sleeping, and extended nursing; gentle parenting principles like non-circumcision and non-puntive discipline; alternative health and lifestyle practices like natural birth and homebirth; eating whole, healthy, organic and natural foods; cloth diapering or elimination timing; homeschooling, unschooling and/or alternative schools; using herbal, homeopathic and other alternative healing methods; and making informed and conscious health care choices for your family.

You don't have to fit all these 'criteria' to join the group. We are simply looking for other mothers whose philosophy is close to ours for playgroups, outings and friendships. Please note that the nature of this list is not to inform, educate or debate. We are all eager to grow as mothers, and sharing of information is welcome; however, debates are best taken to private e-mail. Most natural/instinctive mothers would agree that some of these practices are somewhat negotiable and some are most definitely not; but this list is not the place to sort those distinctions out. We aren't perfect earth-mother-goddesses, nor do we expect you to be, but please follow this rule of thumb: if you feel as though something you practice or believe would be *offensive* to mothers who embrace the principles listed above, don't join the list. If you aren't sure, ask before you join. Now, if you've made it this far, come on and join in!