My Story - Shanti
I am Shanti McIvor, a young woman who lives in the beautiful
Hinterland of the Sunshine Coast in South East Queensland Australia. My family
is: Barry Pittard, my partner, who is a writer/researcher, cherished sons
Zachariah and Sai-Isa, my mother Barbara, a potter, five gorgeous horses,
Oliver the Burmese cat and Isabelle the dog.
As a child I grew up in the rainforest of the Sunshine Coast. Today that beloved
rainforest is being cleared to make way for the huge numbers of people who
come here to get away from "city life." However they're bringing
it with them.
I have always had a natural love for
children. Even as a young child, my cousins and I would take care of the younger
ones. At every opportunity, we would carry them here, there and everywhere.
At the tender age of 15, I "knew" that my first son, Zach was to
be born, and (either bravely or stupidly) he was conceived not long after.
He was born on the 10th of July 1993. And so my love of children expanded
and took on a whole new meaning. I was now a mother - quite a shock on my
young system.
When Zach was 8 months, old I did something that I deeply regretted later
on. I went back to high school to finish Year 11 and 12. I regretted it because
it disturbed the precious bond between my son and me. Because of the long
hours away from Zach, at school and with homework, it has taken a lot to re-connect
with him. To this day, he is more connected to his father.
In that time, I also ran Horse-riding camps for children. I taught the "Natural
Horsemanship" method, which is really as old as time itself. Tom Dorrence,
a part American-Indian man, was an instrument in bringing it back to the people.
Zach's father and I separated in 1995. Since than, I have been on many an
adventure - travelling to different parts of the east coast of Australia,
attending wonderful events such as Rainbow Gatherings, being exposed to different
ways ... Sometimes Zach would come, sometimes he would stay with his father.
I also spent a few months in India around Sathya Sai Baba, a spiritual teacher
who is making great changes the world over. He inspires people of many different
cultures and creeds to "love all, serve all, as he says. His main Ashram
is at Puttaparthi, in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Barry and I worked in an
Orphanage there with some of the most incredible children that you can find
anywhere. Children who had seen such horrific things, and yet still love so
deeply.
So, as you can see, my latest venture,
as well as having babies and building a house, is producing and selling Baby
Slings. From the authoritarian hospital birth and continual ignorance and
separation with my first son, I now have the experience of home/water birth
with my second son and continual unity. This time I do not ignorantly use
a stroller, I use a sling and have my baby close to my heart where he should
be. I sleep with him and feed him when he wants it. I dote on him and allow
him to open my heart. Well actually I can hardly help it, as his purity and
love just flood straight through me.
I have seen with my own eyes that sleeping with your baby, letting him tell
you when he's hungry, having as natural a birth as possible, with people who
you mutually love, in a place of your choice, keeping bubby next to your heart
either in sling or in arms and attending to his or her needs as soon as they
arise, really pays off. Sai-Isa is such a happy, well-adjusted, secure baby.
Barry and I have worked out that he cries (if you can call it a cry) about
0.000001% of the time, if that.
I love my sling and am so grateful to it. This time I have a chance to deeply and lovingly bond with my son, Sai-Isa. And I tell you it's happening. May all you who share your lives with children have the same experience!
Peace and love to you all!
