Mothering Presentation

I wanted to report that my presentation on mothering Friday was a huge success. It was extremely well attended and I received tremendous feedback. Thank you to all those who came to support me - family, friends, colleagues and folks interested in this important area of study. I heard from many women touched by the experience, which makes doing this so worthwhile!

I also now have 171 surveys completed for the Mothering Contexts Study!

One of the main themes I discussed was confluence - the (albeit temporary, real or imagined) state of having fluidity across a mother's life where limited contradictions, conflict or challenge occur. For me, Friday was the epitome of confluence.

Here's what my day looked like.

Around 7:30 am woke up to kisses and hugs from B2 (no alarm ringing at 5:50 am)
Lounged downstairs for breakfast...
B1 was stayed home from school in the morning, as he wasn't feeling great.
The boys and I sat cuddled up on the coach together watching "Man vs. Wild" (adventure series).
I made French Toast with peaches for lunch (an old favourite my Mom used to make).
B2 asked for three helpings of "those orange things."
Got boys going and headed out
Dropped B2 at pre-school.
Carried on with B1 to his school.
Was welcomed and invited in to speak with the grade one class about National Child Day, children's rights and peace.
Told the class that while I usually teach adults, sometimes I have to teach them the same thing we'll be discussing today - how important it is to be kind and respect everyone's rights.
Read a lovely story called "When I Grow Up I will Win the Nobel Peace Prize."
Danced around the classroom with a bunch of six year olds - what fun!
Came back to the reading area for another short story about a homeless boy from Brazil who gave the shirt off his back to a Canadian after they played soccer with a plastic drink bottle, demonstrating the significant of sharing what we have with others.
Off to work
Got to my office to find DOAD waiting there.
Presentation at 3:00 pm.
Had the opportunity to speak about my mothering project to a large group of colleagues, students, staff, community members and friends.
The talk went great.
Lots of emotional comments and powerful stuff!
One of the best parts was my kids entering the room during the question period - with my youngest wearing a shirt I made that said "all children matter" and my oldest decked out in a T with a peace sign.
Once everything was done and people had left the room my friend offered to take the boys home.
DOAD and I got to enjoy an unexpected evening out for dinner. It was wonderful!
By the time we got home it was later than usual for baths etc. but I let the boys play longer and I chatted about the day with my friend, making the comment that today was a rare and wonderful time when being a professor and being a mom actually worked so well together.
Finally home and even though it would have been easier to tuck the boys away in bed without our usual routine, I am so glad it didn't forgo it.
Had an amazing bed time talk with B1 and got the best snuggles from B2.
It was a great, great day!

Mothering (In) Context

I am so thrilled to be able to announce my first presentation on the Mothering Contexts Study will be tomorrow! I will explore the following questions:

Does motherhood define how mothers view themselves?

Does mothering frame other areas of mothers’ lives?

What is the relationship between the spheres, roles, and activities women encounter outside of motherhood and both their maternal practices and maternal identities?

I discuss how mothering is both a frame and a window. Mothers' experiences of being a mom take place in particular social contexts and mothering itself is contextual. In this way, I explore how mothering frames women's lives. Women make their own interpretations of the places and spaces through which they mother, and therefore rather than simply a frame that limits and puts borders on women's experiences, a mothering context is also a window, viewed differently by different mothers. More on all this to come!!

This is the first opportunity I have had to formally share my early findings in an academic and public forum. It is very exciting. I will post more later on how the talk was received.

Thanks to all who have participated - 163 participants were included in my analysis (166 to date). I appreciate you entrusting me with sharing your voice.

Being sick when you're a Mom is the worst!

I have been ill for the last week. My kids have it too. It has been just horrible and disgusting. I will spare further details. I'd like to send out the largest of kuddos to any mom who manages to take care of her kids while she too is ill. I could barely do it this week. Lucky DOAD was able to work at home most days and be here for meals and other support. I just can't wait to feel great again!!

Work has piled up, given that I was off all week! I guess I just have to take the advice of B1's first grade teacher: "In Room 6 we go with the flow!"

Gotta just deal with being behind and figure out how to move on from here.

B2s new favourite: retro teletoon - spiderman!
B1 quote of the day: "I miss my teacher" (after missing two days of school)