So I know a lot of busy moms who are just plain not interested in politics. They get a sense there is something to worry about, but they don't know what to do about it - plus it's just not really their "thing" - so they keep out of it.
I think that mindset is dangerous.
Remember, moms rule the world.
So what can you do??
1. Be more aware of what is going on. Once a day, check in on the world.
2. Teach your children values such as integrity, work-ethic, and kindness. Also, teach them that they are not entitled to things from the government.
3. Vote. If you feel passionate about a candidate or an issue, get involved in spreading the word to your neighbors.
4. Don't be afraid to discuss politics. Even if those you talk with disagree, you can still have a civil and kind discussion where you learn from each other.
I know I'm guilty of being afraid to make a situation tense by discussing issues. But how will we ever come together with solutions to problems if we're not willing to discuss our views, learning from each other. This doesn't start at a government level. It starts with people like us.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
The Trouble
"A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship."
This is a quote that gets attributed to a guy in the 1700's but it's never been proven he wrote it. Either way, the logic of it rings true. We need to be careful about all the "gifts" - aka welfare, health insurance, etc. - we vote for ourselves. THERE IS NOT ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY FOR IT! Our economic system is going to collapse if we keep on this road. Of course, I believe there are some in power who want us more dependent on government so they can have power to force us to do what they see as right - nevermind choosing for ourselves (we're not as smart as them, so just let them do what they know is best for us). That's a whole other rant so I'll get more into that another day...
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
SAHM
I just had a vent going on in my head and then I stopped and realized, "hey, I have a place for that now!"
Ann Romney posted the following on Facebook:
"I do recognize the most valuable work being done across the country is that work being done inside the four wall in our homes. And let us not forget how important the work of the mother and father are to raising responsible citizens."
I'm sure nobody would disagree with this statement.
Yet as I skimmed the replies to her post, I saw several comments branching off into how it must be nice to be rich and be able to be a stay at home mom.
This got brought up back when a guest on a news show claimed that Ann Romney had never worked a day in her life. In the backlash she received from that comment, this commentator - and others backing her - claimed she was really saying that stay-at-home moms have more money so they don't understand struggle.
Enter my vent.
I am a stay at home mom. We are NOT rolling in dough. We make SACRIFICES and we've had to learn the difference between a WANT and a NEED. I'm not complaining - we've been very blessed. But I do not like people insinuating that if you stay home with your kids you just don't know what it's like to struggle - financially or otherwise.
Staying home with my children wasn't the easy choice. We've had to give up a lot of things others consider necessities. I have a college degree. I could be working outside the home. But it's what we feel is best for our family. Being with my kids now - being "the hand that rules the world" - is the most important thing to me.
In my circle of friends, there are many stay-at-home-moms like me - people who sacrifice and work hard to make it financially feasible to be home with their children. Not many are well-to-do financially.
So, whether you like the politics of Ann Romney or not, please do not make the assumption that stay-at-home mom's are in a different socio-economic class than the "average" American. Yes, some mothers have no choice but to work outside the home - and I respect all the sacrifices they make too. But I believe many do have a choice - our society has just changed so as to make being a stay-at-home-mom a negative thing. Society convinces mothers that they don't have a choice because they "need" a lot of things that are actually "wants". Or that women are somehow lacking ambition if they stay home. These are false notions.
And even though the Romney's have had financial success, Ann obviously understands sacrifice and struggle - not only due to her fight with cancer and MS, but because as mother's we sacrifice more than just money to be home with our children. But we understand that our children are MORE than worth the struggle and sacrifice.
Ann Romney posted the following on Facebook:
"I do recognize the most valuable work being done across the country is that work being done inside the four wall in our homes. And let us not forget how important the work of the mother and father are to raising responsible citizens."
I'm sure nobody would disagree with this statement.
Yet as I skimmed the replies to her post, I saw several comments branching off into how it must be nice to be rich and be able to be a stay at home mom.
This got brought up back when a guest on a news show claimed that Ann Romney had never worked a day in her life. In the backlash she received from that comment, this commentator - and others backing her - claimed she was really saying that stay-at-home moms have more money so they don't understand struggle.
Enter my vent.
I am a stay at home mom. We are NOT rolling in dough. We make SACRIFICES and we've had to learn the difference between a WANT and a NEED. I'm not complaining - we've been very blessed. But I do not like people insinuating that if you stay home with your kids you just don't know what it's like to struggle - financially or otherwise.
Staying home with my children wasn't the easy choice. We've had to give up a lot of things others consider necessities. I have a college degree. I could be working outside the home. But it's what we feel is best for our family. Being with my kids now - being "the hand that rules the world" - is the most important thing to me.
In my circle of friends, there are many stay-at-home-moms like me - people who sacrifice and work hard to make it financially feasible to be home with their children. Not many are well-to-do financially.
So, whether you like the politics of Ann Romney or not, please do not make the assumption that stay-at-home mom's are in a different socio-economic class than the "average" American. Yes, some mothers have no choice but to work outside the home - and I respect all the sacrifices they make too. But I believe many do have a choice - our society has just changed so as to make being a stay-at-home-mom a negative thing. Society convinces mothers that they don't have a choice because they "need" a lot of things that are actually "wants". Or that women are somehow lacking ambition if they stay home. These are false notions.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
The Hand that Rocks the Cradle Rules the World
I've always loved the quote:
The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
That is the beginning of a poem by William Ross Wallace. Mothers are shaping the world by raising the future leaders and contributors.
This thought gives me hope whenever I feel powerless. There is so much chaos in the world. We may feel afraid of the future - or even the present. I know I often wonder "what can I do to make a difference? This is so scary." Then I remember, "the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world." And I calm down. I can raise my children with values and principles. That is how I will rule the world. This blog is part of my plan to share how important motherhood is and what a difference we can make - thus the title of my blog.
All mothers: let's commit to changing the world - starting with realizing the great power we have through what we do in our own home.
Mothers are not powerless. We are not "just a mom". We ROCK! We RULE!
I found the poem in its entirety here: http://www.amandashome.com/rockcradle.html.
The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
That is the beginning of a poem by William Ross Wallace. Mothers are shaping the world by raising the future leaders and contributors.
This thought gives me hope whenever I feel powerless. There is so much chaos in the world. We may feel afraid of the future - or even the present. I know I often wonder "what can I do to make a difference? This is so scary." Then I remember, "the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world." And I calm down. I can raise my children with values and principles. That is how I will rule the world. This blog is part of my plan to share how important motherhood is and what a difference we can make - thus the title of my blog.
All mothers: let's commit to changing the world - starting with realizing the great power we have through what we do in our own home.
Mothers are not powerless. We are not "just a mom". We ROCK! We RULE!
I found the poem in its entirety here: http://www.amandashome.com/rockcradle.html.
Beginning
When there are so many thoughts swirling in my head it is hard to know where to begin. Maybe with why I'm even starting this blog: to have somewhere to share all the thoughts in my head! I am passionate about politics and education. I love to take pictures. I like learning new things. But mostly I'm passionate about my family. I love being a mother - even with all the anxieties that come with it - and I love my husband. So this will be a pretty random blog - a place I can share my thoughts and pass on things I've learned.
I'm hoping it will appeal to other family-oriented people, despite it's randomness. I like to think I can put some of my thoughts to good use helping others learn too, or offering a comforting "other people feel the same way so I'm not THAT crazy" to others. Maybe nobody will end up following. Should be therapeutic for me anyway hopefully.
If you come by, please leave a comment so I know who my audience is - or isn't :)
Warning, I use smiley faces a lot.
I'm hoping it will appeal to other family-oriented people, despite it's randomness. I like to think I can put some of my thoughts to good use helping others learn too, or offering a comforting "other people feel the same way so I'm not THAT crazy" to others. Maybe nobody will end up following. Should be therapeutic for me anyway hopefully.
If you come by, please leave a comment so I know who my audience is - or isn't :)
Warning, I use smiley faces a lot.
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