It's mom-blog fodder at it's finest, the tale of the Mommy Wars. A new book every week it seems, a new take on the subject. Stay at home. Go to work. Who's right, who's wrong, who's life is fulfilled, whose kids are screwed.
My opinion is that the mommy wars are a creation designed to keep us picking at each other so we don't have time to get down to the real problem, which is that our society doesn't actually support the family it so vehemently insists is the foundation on which America's built. We are so deluged with ways that we're different and ways that we're in danger, and so busy arguing about it that the government merrily trips along not having to do a damn thing about making this country a safe and healthy place for ALL families, whatever the configuration and whatever economic choices we've decided are best for us. You know, just trust women not to be able to get along, those kittycats that we are. *eyeroll*
But, finally, someone's figured this out. And via the Moveon.org mailing list, this showed up in my inbox today:
Subject: Join me in becoming a MomsRising member
I hope you'll join me and others in one of the most exciting grassroots movements on the Internet today: MomsRising.
MomsRising gives people a voice in the motherhood and family issues that are shaping our lives. This is particularly important because frankly American mothers and families are in trouble. A full quarter of families with children under six live in poverty, at least 9 million children don't have any health care, and far too many parents can't afford to stay home with sick children.
MomsRising is working to promote common sense family-friendly policies. You can sign online petitions and pledges that will be shared with political, community, and business leaders, as well as receive email alerts on timely issues, and read The Motherhood Manifesto book all for free.
MomsRising is building a vibrant online community and has great personal stories posted, as well as hot issues and timely actions for change. There are also current event discussion topics to spark group or personal conversations--and information about how start small groups, as well as how to get more involved working toward solutions.
By working together we can ignite a major movement that brings common sense, necessary change to the lives of mothers and families.
I hope you'll join us today at:
I'm in. I'm looking forward to reading The Motherhood Manifesto. And I think I need a teeshirt, too.
The issues that families face transcend party politics. They transcend the choice to work or not work, they transcend what type of childcare you choose. They affect every single one of us. Time to do something about it, time to stop listening to lip service from politicians who know that up to now, there's nothing we can do about their half-hearted bone-throwing.
Plus, teeshirts!
I don't know how I feel about the issue. I am very proud of mommys who stay home and are able to meet the daily needs of their children. As a teacher it is wonderful to have the support at school of these moms. However, as a working MOM, I had no choice. I could only do the best I could and go on from there. It was hard not to be able to let you play all the sports you wanted. But, I also didn't have the money because I was single. This is a dilema. I believe that children ages newborn to 19 years of age who are living at home and going to school (when school age) should be given free health care. I also think retired people deserve free health care. However, who pays the price? Those of us working to make ends meet and not doing a very good job of it now. I don't understand what the government is doing with all our money. I wish we had a say in it besides waiting until elections.
Anyway, I am behind all moms because I know what a difficult job it is. I love and support you all. Did I answer this right?
Posted by: Grammy | May 04, 2006 at 07:35 PM
Right on the money, mom.
Posted by: patti | May 04, 2006 at 07:55 PM
Thank you for posting that. I am going to join up. The whole faux 'mommy wars' issue just makes me see red, for exactly the reasons you state.
In this month's Atlantic, there is a review by Sandra Tsing Loh of one of the numerous 'mommy wars' books. She calls herself a consciencious objector to the mommy wars. Check it out if you get the chance!
Posted by: cici | May 05, 2006 at 12:37 PM
You hit the nail on the head. I'm in, too.
Posted by: Angela | May 05, 2006 at 11:34 PM
i had joined earlier today, but your post made me go back and order a tshirt. (now i only have to wait 4-5 months before i can wear it... why no maternity styles?!) did you read the chronicle article from last week, the one that said something like "85% of californians agree that education in this state is 'a big problem', but almost none of those surveyed agree to pay higher taxes to fix it"? not that i'm an apologist for the government by any means, but the problem doesn't stop there...
Posted by: karenS | May 06, 2006 at 11:25 PM
I wonder why we don't have a national curriculum and set of text to go with it. I would then see the point of testing. We could find out if our students were learning the same information as children all across the nation. But, NO, it is up to the states and that is a sad idea. Education is in a crisis right now. Every state is doing their own thing to correct the problem. It is a national problem and should be a national solution.
Posted by: Grammy | May 07, 2006 at 10:42 PM
Iwould love to start over and be a stay at home mom. My baby just graduated from college with a degree she says is worthless. Was it me? Was my working and not being there to guide her the reason for this? She majored in what she loves most- piano performance. Now what???
auntienancy
Posted by: AuntieNancy | May 08, 2006 at 12:02 PM
I was at the farmer's market on sunday and i counted four of those shirts there. Ha! FOUR! Bitches be representing Mom Rising!
Posted by: GIRLS GONE CHILD | May 08, 2006 at 05:48 PM