All Children Matter

I have been thinking a lot lately about what social justice means and considering what social injustices stand in the way of children living healthy, safe, fulfilling, hopeful and meaningful lives. I believe that ALL CHILDREN MATTER. In theory, I suspect few would disagree with me. In practice, though, I see far too many examples of some children not mattering (especially children from some racialized groups, children living in poverty, whose parents are in prison, whose parents don't have housing, who act out, etc.). I believe it was Barbara Coloroso who said "Kids are Worth It" simply because they are.

Can (will?) governments, corporations, individuals and groups with so much power and privilege to really make a significant and meaningful impact take a stand? Who is willing to mobilize to change discrimination, exploitation and dispossession of the next generation? Respect kids because they all. More to come...

So, doing this in my teens would have made it so much cooler... and easier?! (I think not!)

I guess there just isn't enough to say about Britney, that Jamie Lynn Spears has become the new poster girl for teen pregnancy? Maclean's Magazine has done a feature story on "teen pregnancy."
Recent popular discourse on young mothers has been about just that - girls having babies. Barely a mention is given to the (presumably) adolescent boys impregnated them! The double standard of sexual behaviour continues. I don't believe that the "rise" of privileged young moms is sufficient cause for "celebration" that being a teen mom no longer comes with the stigma it once did, nor that social disapproval for "out-of-wedlock" mothers has done a 180. There is something going on, though.
I agree with Andrea O'Reilly (featured in the articles linked) that we are witnessing more recognition of 'other' forms of mothering (outside of the idealized, mystique of the traditional, heterosexual, white, middle-class, 20 something mother sacrificing all for her children). However, I am cautious about interpreting new(er) categories like 'lesbian mom,' 'young mom,' and 'older mom,' as evidence that all motherhood identities are equally acceptable in North American society. All mothers (and all women) are judged according to motherhood ideologies (some old and tired, others perhaps more en vogue) - culturally prescribed ways of being, acting and performing motherhood. If a young mom has access to resources - not limited to financial support, stability and social networks - she is positioned to deal physically, psychologically and emotionally with the ups and downs of new motherhood. Likewise, such a mom will be better able to withstand, negotiate and resist the disapproving eyes, snide remarks and is otherwise deemed deviant, that is, a "bad mom!"

Check out the story and let me know what you think...

http://www.macleans.ca/culture/lifestyle/article.jsp?content=20080117_99497_99497


or,

http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_18790.aspx
for a shorter version.

366 Days until my next birthday!

How do we account for what we've done, what we hope to do and where we are at? These are rhetorical in the sense that I won't address them directly here, but I hope to be able to look back a year from now and have come to better terms with them. Fair enough?

I have recently taken up the practice of yoga. I am not sure if that makes me a yogi-wannabe, yoga enthusiast or simply one who does yoga! Whatever the case, I am learning more about myself as I learn to pose, breathe and attempt to "get zen." I know that taking time away from my kids, from my work, will only benefit both.

To celebrate the big 30 something, I was treated to a special breakfast with my family. I let it slip to my grad seminar that it was my birthday ... the next thing I knew several 20 somethings were singing "Happy Birthday" to me! Nice start to the day! Three classes later I was on my way to meet my boys for a dinner out. Sitting at home typing I wonder if I had to comment each time B1 turned around at the table of ladies behind us or whether I should have shared my frozen margarita with B2. Perhaps I could have employed more of my yoga inspired outlook instead of during the car ride home asking my children to each rate how they behaved at the restaurant! B1 did not hesitate with a score of 10. At least we laughed rather than critiqued his assessment (after all he is 4 and a half). Thanks my lovies for a wonderful birthday!

Yoga means union - connecting mind, body and spirit. I invite mothers, academics and mommy academics to join me in thinking through the challenges of these complex, multifaceted identities.

Linked?! and Fired Up!

I am way too excited that gradmommy linked my blog site under her fantastic page! As I am new to the blogging world I take this link as a sign that I should continue to blog and AS A SIGN THAT I SHOULD CONTINUE TO BLOG!! (PRESSURE!) Actually, recent events (that I am not yet ready to post about) have made me realize just how important a sense of community is for mothers and for academics - never mind for mommy academics! We have so many of the same experiences, but we experience them differently. We have our own way of viewing the worlds we inhabit with our children and those we attempt to forge outside them. I hope in some small way my ramblings (sometimes very personal, sometimes very academic - always a little of both) will be read, heard and acted upon!

Here's to the power of women and our use of this technology to bring about positive changes in our lives and the lives of our children.

Back in the Classroom

Over my holiday break I started to teach B1 how to read. He is incredibly smart, imaginative and more than capable of beginning this process. He is eager and willing, especially as this gives him special time with Mommy and WITHOUT B2. So, how can said Mommy "relax" about the process when the little reader has a tendency to look everywhere but to the page and the word I am pointing to? FOCUS, kid! [I think] I hear myself say, "Many children go to Kindergarten before they are able to read, so if you are not interested in learning that's just fine." Then, I back peddle as long "As long as you are having fun, Sweetie. Learning is hard work." This week I've been back in the [postsecondary] classroom, and I miss lying in his bed next to him, hearing his cute little voice repeat the phrases I read. Can a Mom really be two places at once? Better yet, how can I just simply enjoy being with my son, enjoying books without being the Professor?