I’m happy to note that my article "The Mommy Wars and The Good Life” is at The Mothers Movement Online as of today. The point of it is to look at the decision to stay home with children in a positive but not worshipful light. We don’t all have to stay home. But for some people, “the good life” really is with their children. It does seem important to drop breadcrumbs along the way. Kids grow up, and quickly. There’s a lot you can do for a two year old, but by the time kids are ten (like both of mine), there’s plenty of time for other things.*
I’d love to see the world make the trip back to work a little easier, but mothers are often honored more than respected. As in—isn’t it wonderful, but let’s find somebody more competent to fill the job.
The picture above is from the cover of the magazine. My question for the graphic designer—shouldn’t the earth be stuck in the cup southern hemisphere upwards? But what do I know about
* 10:55 a.m. So why is it that both my kids wound up staying home sick today? Why are they sitting here telling Halloween jokes and making it hard for me to concentrate? The Great Mother seems to be punishing me for writing this sentence earlier today.
5 comments:
I find the honored/respected distinction fascinating. It never occurred to me before.
Do you have any idea whether non-profits in general or charities in particular "make the trip back to work a little easier?" One would assume that one wouldn't have to convince them that it makes profit-sense to hire a Mother-in-potencia, or to rehire/-accept her once she is in actus.
(Or however one is supposed to decline and conjugate those terms.)
Love the Latin...
Unfortunately I don't know much about non-profits, except for my own synagogue, and they do seem to have extremely family-friendly work policies.
Universities are flexible about family in principle (flexible schedules, day-care, etc) but the whole tenure thing is inherently not family-friendly. It's "publish or perish" right when you might also want to have a family. Not good for mothers (or fathers either), in my experience.
Hmmm. I suppose that "publish or perish" thing is something I'll be dealing with soon. I look forward to having to deal with the tensions and conflicts . . . .
Life is boring without some tensions and conflicts.
Good luck!
Indeed. :-) Thanks!
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